NFL roster cuts 2025: Deadline, practice squad start date, and what fans need to know

The 2025 NFL preseason has officially wrapped, but the drama isn’t over. In fact, one of the most pivotal stretches of the football calendar is just beginning. Every summer, rosters are stuffed with up to 90 hopefuls competing for a shot at the regular season.

By the time the preseason closes, coaches and general managers are forced into the toughest job they face all year: trimming nearly half those names to meet the league’s strict roster rules. For players on the bubble, this week is do-or-die. By Tuesday afternoon, dreams will either be secured or put on hold, and by Wednesday, teams will already be shuffling for depth on practice squads. This is the NFL’s annual high-stakes roster reset, and the deadlines are already ticking down.

When teams cut to 53 and begin building practice squads

The NFL has set a hard deadline: by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, all 32 teams must have reduced their offseason rosters to the regular-season limit of 53 players. While that time is etched into the league calendar, the way each team approaches it varies. Some franchises slash their roster in waves during the days leading up to the deadline, while others hold back and reveal their final list right after their last preseason contest.

And then there are always one or two clubs that wait until after the deadline passes to make their full cuts public, even though those lists are already in the league’s hands.The process is not uniform, and that’s what adds tension. In Detroit, for example, the Lions have no intention of waiting until the final hour. Detroit coach Dan Campbell said his team planned to make a majority of their 2025 cuts Monday, one day ahead of the deadline.

That approach not only provides clarity for the players but also gives the coaching staff and front office extra time to prepare for the waiver wire scramble and practice squad signings.

Practice squads are the next critical step in roster construction. Once the 53-man rosters are locked, the waiver process plays out overnight. Then, starting at noon ET on Wednesday, August 27, teams are free to begin building their 17-man practice squads.

These units are typically filled with players who just missed the cut but still offer long-term value. For organizations, the practice squad serves as an extension of the roster, supplying depth and developmental talent that can be called upon at any point during the season.The When, Where, and Who of this process are clear. When—the cutdown deadline is August 26 at 4 p.m. ET, with practice squads forming on August 27 at noon.

Where—the decisions are submitted to the league office, though public announcements roll out differently depending on the team. Who—front offices and coaches like Dan Campbell steering the delicate process of balancing roster depth, talent, and future potential.

What the roster deadline means for players and teams moving forward

For hundreds of players, these two days define careers. Some will see their NFL journey continue on a 53-man roster. Others will stay in the league through practice squads. And many will be left waiting for another shot. While Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline steals the spotlight, Wednesday’s signings are just as pivotal. It’s a reminder that in the NFL, even after the preseason ends, the real roster battles are only beginning.Also Read: Florida Panthers' championship night out racked up a $500K tab — but they didn’t pay a cent