9 most notable players released as part of NFL's 2026 roster cuts
There weren't many shocking decisions as part of the NFL's roster cuts in 2026, but there were still a handful of notable releases.
The NFL's 2026 53-man roster deadline has resulted in over 1,000 players being released from teams in search of new opportunities. Among the most notable cuts are former first-round pick, quarterback Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans. After posting a 5-16 record in 21 starts with the Titans, Levis was waived due to an injury and later signed by the Minnesota Vikings, where he struggled to secure a spot.
Another notable release is four-time All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker from the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his impressive career stats, Hekker couldn't beat rookie Brett Thorson for the position and was subsequently waived, potentially finding work with a team needing depth. Dallas Cowboys' Jaydon Blue and Denver Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin are also among the released players, both running backs who failed to make the grade in their respective teams' backfields.
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