The New England Patriots just went through an absolute whirlwind, making a staggering 42 roster moves to get down to the NFL’s 53-player limit. After starting with 91 players post-preseason finale, the team had a massive job ahead of them, needing at least 38 cuts. They blew past that, bringing in one new player but ultimately shuffling 42 total bodies, with 19 moves on Saturday and another 22 transitions on Sunday. It was a chaotic weekend for Foxborough, and fans are definitely feeling the ripple effects.
Who’s Hitting the Waiver Wire?
The biggest chunk of those moves, 31 to be exact, were players hitting the waiver wire. These are the guys with less than four years of experience, meaning any other NFL team can scoop them up before they even think about hitting the open market or coming back to the Patriots’ practice squad. It is brutal out there, and some decent talent just got tossed into the pool. We are talking about depth guys mostly, but a few names absolutely pop. Running backs Lan Larison and Jam Miller, despite Miller being injured, are considered strong candidates to return if they clear waivers. That tells you what the Patriots think of their potential. Linebacker Chad Muma also found himself on this list. And then there is safety John Saunders Jr., who honestly looked like he could snag a roster spot but ultimately got pushed out because the team traded for Jaylen Reed. That is the tough reality of the NFL, man, one move can just make you obsolete.
Veterans Shown the Door
Beyond the waiver wire, the Patriots also released a handful of vested veterans. These six players immediately become free agents, no waiting around for waivers. This group included running backs Hassan Haskins and JaMycal Hasty, offensive lineman James Hudson III, edge rusher Jesse Luketa, and punter Matt Haack. But the move that really raises eyebrows? Without a doubt, it is Kindle Vildor getting let go. This guy was a 2020 fifth-round draft pick who just joined the Patriots this offseason in free agency, and his release is the biggest surprise among all the veterans. You bring a guy in, and then you cut him so fast? It just makes you wonder about the overall plan and what they saw that changed so quickly.
This early season roster upheaval for the Patriots is significant, especially with such a surprising move like Vildor’s release. It really feels like the team is still trying to figure out its identity, and these cuts show just how much they are willing to shake things up to find it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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