NFL waiver wire, explained: What is the process, and how does it affect the Patriots?
Which Patriots players are subject to waivers in 2026? Waiver wire rules, explained.
The NFL waiver wire is a system where players with less than four years of league experience must go through a claims process before they can become free agents. After a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, the New England Patriots must make 37 roster cuts before August 30th's 6 p.m. ET deadline. Players with at least four years of NFL service time are released and can sign with any team, while those with less service time are waived and claimed by another team via the waiver wire.
Seven Patriots depth players are not subject to waivers and will become free agents immediately upon release, while the remaining 40 will go through the waiver process. The order of waiver claims is based on the NFL Draft order from April, with the Las Vegas Raiders getting first pick if a player is claimed. If multiple teams claim the same player, the team with the highest ranking will secure them.
Teams can claim as many players as they want, but may need to make roster adjustments to accommodate them on their 53-man roster and within the salary cap.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
