NFL teams are in the thick of roster trimming, and that always creates a few surprises. Not every cut is about a young player who never got a real chance. Sometimes it’s a familiar name, a guy fans assumed was safe, suddenly staring at the wrong side of the 53-man bubble.
That could be the case for a few players this weekend, including some recognizable quarterbacks and a running back whose mistakes have started to outweigh his flashes.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is one name that stands out in New York. Giants fans haven’t exactly been pleased with his play, and two moments in particular have stuck with the coaching staff: a missed block in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings and, the following week, a fumble in the red zone against the Miami Dolphins.
Tracy has had some nice preseason moments, but those have been buried by the missed block and the turnover. With a new coaching staff and Najee Harris in the room, every spot is up for grabs, and the Giants may not keep many running backs on the 53-man roster.
At quarterback, J.J. McCarthy could be in danger in Minnesota.
He’s also mentioned as a trade candidate, but a cut still isn’t off the table. McCarthy hasn’t been able to help himself, and with Kyler Murray in place as the starter, the question becomes whether McCarthy can still win the QB2 job.
Teams could come calling for him as a backup, and the Falcons were specifically mentioned as a possible fit if Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix don’t play well. A trade could still happen, but a release is part of the conversation too.
Will Levis is another quarterback whose future looks shaky. The Titans once saw him as a possible answer for the future, but that picture has changed with Cam Ward now leading the way.
Tennessee has a new coaching staff, a new general manager, and a roster that’s being pared down. With Ward as the starter, the Titans may decide they’ve seen enough from Levis and choose Mitch Trubisky instead.
Andy Dalton could also be on the move, this time in Philadelphia. The Eagles’ backup quarterback situation is interesting, but Tanner McKee appears to have the edge after looking better in the preseason and in practices.
Dalton is the veteran in the room, and he remains a serviceable quarterback, but the Eagles may decide to cut him and avoid carrying three passers on the roster. Jalen Hurts is still the starter, though even he has drawn criticism from the fanbase for needing to play better.
If Philadelphia does move on from Dalton, there should be teams interested in bringing him in.
In Other News...
Titans Just Got An Unexpected WR Decision To Make
The Browns decision to move on from Cedric Tillman has suddenly put a young receiver with some untapped intrigue on the market, and that has to be at least a passing consideration for the Titans. Tennessee has been looking for answers in its wideout room, and Tillman fits the kind of profile teams often circle this time of year: a recent draft pick, still looking to establish himself, with enough playmaking flashes to make a front office think twice before letting him get away.
Tillman was a third-round pick in 2022 and had returned to camp after an injury, but Cleveland still chose to release him rather than keep him in the mix. For Tennessee, the question is whether there is enough upside there to justify a look, especially with a roster spot and a potential depth need in play. No move has been reported yet, but it is the sort of decision the Titans could revisit quickly if they want to add another receiver with some developmental appeal. [Read more 🡒]
Titans-Bears Just Put Carnell Tates Family Loyalty In The Spotlight
The Titans preseason finale against the Bears brings a little extra family intrigue to a game that already has some storyline juice for Tennessee. Rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate may see only limited action, but he is still expected to be a key target for quarterback Cam Ward as the Titans continue sorting out their passing game before the regular season arrives.
Tate also comes into the matchup with a personal twist, since he and his father have long been Bears fans. Even with his son now wearing Titans colors, Tates father said he will still be backing Chicago in the preseason meeting, which adds a small but noticeable layer of split loyalties to an otherwise routine August game. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Suddenly Have A Linebacker Decision They Cant Ignore
The Titans went into the preseason with Cody Barton penciled in as a starting linebacker alongside Cedric Gray, but the competition around that spot has become harder to ignore. Barton has had some slow stretches in exhibition action, while the younger options behind him have started to make a stronger case for themselves. James Williams has flashed, and rookie Anthony Hill has particularly stood out with the kind of active play that tends to get a coaching staffs attention fast.
Hills recent preseason work has included impactful moments, which is exactly the sort of production that can force a depth-chart conversation before the games start to count. Tennessee still has time to sort out how it wants to use its linebacker group, but the contrast is now clear enough: experience is holding the current projection in place, while youthful playmaking is pushing to crack it open. [Read more 🡒]