The NFL’s Most Surprising Preseason Cuts

In the NFL, teams carry 53 man rosters into the regular season. During the preseason though, there are up to 80-90 guys at camp, fighting for the last spots on the active roster. Some will sign on the practice squad, while some will get NFL contracts to go elsewhere. Regardless, getting cut is never fun and these ten guys are the most surprising out of all of them.

Cam Newton, QB

When it comes to charisma, branding, and name value, there was not a bigger name on the cut list than Quarterback Cam Newton. After spending the first nine years of his career with the Carolina Panthers, in which he won an MVP and played in a Super Bowl, Newton took his talents to New England in 2020. In 15 games, Newton went 7-8 and was underwhelming. Fast forward to this training camp and rookie QB Mac Jones won the starting job. Despite this, nobody thought Newton was going to be cut. What if Jones struggles? Newton is a more than serviceable backup, but now that is not an option. It should be interesting to see where Newton lands next.

Josh Johnson, QB

Cutting Josh Johnson does not seem like a big deal, but when you look at the landscape of the New York Jets, having him on the active roster would have been crucial. After New York decided not to sign a veteran QB to backup and mentor Zach Wilson, Johnson was the backup with the most experience. With him now released and on the practice squad, Wilson will not have that mentor on gameday. The Jets still might sign a veteran QB, but the clock is ticking and it is very unlikely this happens a week away from the season's beginning.

JaQuan Hardy, HB

The Dallas Cowboys were on Hard Knocks this year, and JaQuan Hardy was one of the constant stories throughout the episodes to this point. Unfortunately, Hardy was one of the many that did not make the final 53-man roster. What made this move surprising and interesting was that the Cowboys only had two active running backs (Elliott, Pollard) until they went out and signed Corey Clement after the cuts were made. Clement is going to be more expensive than Hardy, and if it is an insurance policy, why not activate Hardy instead of spending money on a veteran back?

Travis Fulgham, WR

On the final cut day, the Eagles made an eye-opening move when they cut Travis Fulgham. While only having 539 yards last season, Fulgham was the Eagles leading receiver. Yes, their leading receiver. Fulgham was only in his third year, so the money was not an issue. They did add WR Devonta Smith, but for Fulgham to not make the active roster at all seems odd. Fulgham has since signed with the practice squad, where he will have an opportunity to be activated to the active roster as the season goes on.

Benardrick McKinney, LB

Just a few months removed from trading for him, the Miami Dolphins surprisingly cut linebacker Benardrick McKinney. In six seasons for the Texans, McKinney totaled 539 tackles and was a key cog on Houston’s defense. McKinney will most likely sign elsewhere, as he hopes to add a veteran presence to a linebacker room in need by the start of the season.

Khadarel Hodge, WR

While this was more of a financial crunch than anything else, it was still surprising to see the Cleveland Browns cut Khadarel Hodge. Hodge has already signed with a new team, the Detroit Lions, where he likely will be very much involved in the offense. Cleveland chose to go with four running backs (Chubb, Hunt, Johnson, Felton) and five wide receivers (Beckham Jr., Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, Schwartz). After HB Demetric Felton secured a spot on the team, it was down to Hodge or HB D’Ernest Johnson. GM Andrew Berry and crew decided to go with the fourth running back while having to part ways with Hodge.

Jaylen Samuels, HB

Even though Najee Harris is the clear starter at running back, it is surprising that the Steelers cut Jaylen Samuels, especially with only one healthy backup in Benny Snell Jr. In 2020, Samuels had very little playing time, which might have played a role in this decision, but has appeared in 14 games in each of the last three seasons. Samuels is a guy that knows the Steelers system and could have been a leader in the running back room while only being there for three seasons. Samuels will now have to earn his stripes on the practice squad as he looks to find his way back onto the active roster.

Dazz Newsome, WR

In this year's draft, the Chicago Bears drafted Dazz Newsome out of North Carolina. Unfortunately, Newsome did not make the final 43, despite the Bears being thin at wide receiver. As a rookie, Newsome is cheaper than Breshad Perriman, who just signed after being let go by the Lions. Newsome still has not signed with the practice squad and might find himself with another team before he even plays for the team that drafted him.

DeVonta Freeman, HB

While he is not what he once was, DeVonta Freeman is not a name you think of getting cut. The New Orleans Saints did just that, leaving Freeman off the 53 man roster. This might have been a financial crunch as well with two established running backs in Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray already there. Despite this, Freeman is a valuable back and should be signed by another team sooner rather than later.

Breshad Perriman, WR

Brought up before with Newsome, the Lions decided to release Breshad Perriman, despite having almost no depth at the receiver position. Perriman is a reliable veteran that is well-traveled, but is proven to be a solid receiver when he is on the field. Because of this, Perriman was signed by the Bears rather quickly, adding veteran depth to a wide receiver room that needs depth.

Info from profootballreference.com

Info from nfl.com

Writer

-By: Richie Dordas