The final week before the 2024 NFL season kickoff is proving to be just as dramatic as football fans could hope. Teams are making critical roster adjustments, paring down from as many as 90 players to the mandated 53, just in time for the season opener. Here's a rundown of some of the most significant moves that have taken place.
Big Moves in Dallas and Arizona
On Tuesday, the Dallas Cowboys made headlines by trading tight end Peyton Hendershot to the Kansas City Chiefs. In exchange, Dallas received a conditional late-round draft pick. Hendershot is expected to compete for a backup role behind star tight end Travis Kelce, giving him the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals were busy reshaping their squad as well. They traded linebacker Cameron Thomas, a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, to the Chiefs for a seventh-round pick. Thomas will be looking to make an impact on a Kansas City defense that remains in flux.
Ernest Jones Heads to Tennessee
The Cardinals were not done there. Linebacker Ernest Jones, a key figure as a starting inside linebacker and team captain, was traded to the Tennessee Titans. In exchange, the Rams received a 2025 fifth-round pick, and Arizona included a 2026 sixth-round pick in the deal. Jones' experience and leadership will be a welcome addition to a Titans squad looking to shore up their defense.
Malik Willis Finds a New Home
Another significant move saw the Tennessee Titans trading quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers. Included in the deal was a seventh-round pick. Willis is now set to serve as the backup to Jordan Love, who is expected to take the reins as the Packers' starting quarterback. In a corresponding move, the Packers released fellow 2022 draft pick Sean Clifford, further clearing the way for Willis.
Jaguars and Seahawks Swap Talent
In other notable moves, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 sixth-round pick. This trade is particularly interesting given that the Seahawks are currently missing edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu due to a sprained MCL. Gipson will have a chance to step up and fill that void.
Additionally, the Seattle Seahawks traded Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears. Seattle received a 2025 sixth-round pick in return. Taylor will be looking to make a fresh start with the Bears and build on the promise he has shown early in his career.
Other Key Trades and Releases
The Cleveland Browns also got in on the action by trading defensive lineman Chris Williams to the Chicago Bears. Williams, who spent last season on the practice squad, was sent to Chicago along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. This trade offers Williams a fresh opportunity to prove himself on a rebuilt Bears defense.
The New York Jets made waves by trading defensive back and return specialist Brandon Codrington to the Buffalo Bills. In exchange, the Jets received a swap of late-round picks in 2026. The addition of Codrington bolsters the Bills' special teams and secondary, adding depth to a squad with high aspirations for the upcoming season.
The flurry of trades, waivers, and releases this week underscores the high stakes and intense competition as teams finalize their rosters. Each of these moves could have significant implications for the upcoming season, providing new opportunities for the players involved and strategic advantages for the teams that acquired them.
As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on how these players integrate into their new squads and what impact they will have, not only in week one but throughout the entirety of the 2024 NFL season.