{
  "id": 3885543,
  "title": "NFL waiver wire, explained: What is the process, and how does it affect the Patriots?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/nfl-waiver-wire-explained-what-is-the-process-and-how-does-it-affect",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T04:11:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfl-waiver-wire-explained-process-041139014.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Which Patriots players are subject to waivers in 2026? Waiver wire rules, explained.",
  "key_points": [
    "New England Patriots must make 37 roster cuts by August 30th deadline.",
    "Players with less service time are waived and claimed via waiver wire."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Patriots' roster cuts will trigger the waiver wire process for most of their players, giving other teams a chance to claim them based on a specific order determined by the NFL Draft.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}