Cutdown Day Arrives, Open Thread
August 30th, 2026
The worst day of the year for NFL coaches has arrived. Many NFL coaches will have to tell dozens of players their services are no longer necessary.
Often, that means a player’s football career is over, that he’s played the last snap of football of his life.
By 6 p.m., the Bucs and all teams must file their initial 53-man roster to the NFL.
During the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast of the final worthless preseason game of the summer, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said his staff already has several players’ names circled on other rosters they believe may get cut today.
Licht said he and his staff are ready to “pounce.” So whatever 53-man roster the Bucs file with the league office, look for that to change in the coming days.
Some names of players the Bucs already moved on from, per Greg Auman of FOX Sports, are quarterback Connor Bazelak, offensive lineman Elijah Klein and headbutting linebacker John Bullock.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Jason Licht says the Bucs are ready to “pounce” on other teams’ cuts. Nothing says roster confidence like circling your neighbor’s garbage before pickup.
Every bubble player woke up this morning and checked his phone like a teenager waiting for pregnancy-test results.
By 6 p.m., dreams become transactions, transactions become waiver claims, and Bucs fans become experts on some dude from Cleveland they had never heard of seven minutes earlier.
“STEAL OF THE YEAR, LICHT!”
August 30th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Licht should be able to nab an experienced CB and we need just that.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:20 am
Bring in the best old experienced quarterback!
August 30th, 2026 at 7:23 am
We need more than a CB. Our backup O linemen looked like garbage. Both our backup tackles Chuke, and Skule have been injured. When they did play it wasn’t good. Dallas just traded for a tackle, while Licht can’t wait to dumpster dive. I’m ready to turn the page on both Bowles, and Licht if this year is another failure.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:31 am
The Bucs will be signing at least one CB and one O-lineman from another teams trash pile…
Our “ROH” GM has FAILED with this CB unit this off-season.
How is CB our weakest unit on this team?
How much does JL get paid?
Pathetic…
August 30th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Here’s to hoping Sean Tucker out runs the Turk.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:41 am
Lt Dan, there are 3.6 million reasons why Tucker is on the bubble.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:42 am
@ Lt. Dan
Poor pass blocking and a $3M price tag may spell DOOM for Tucker…
Plus solid RBs are still a dime per dozen.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:45 am
Other teams like Dallas and KC trade for OL help over the weekend, giving up late day 3 picks for some depth but Jason just sits on his hands? Why? Does he think he is going to grab the next Brock purdy with the pick? Sometimes I think Licht sets the team up to lose by not addressing obvious deficiencies during this time of year just like last year when he neglected the holes at the OL and back QB positions even after JMac almost became the next Daryl Stingley!
August 30th, 2026 at 7:45 am
Tuck like all these guys, how many playbooks ya gotta learn… I have more confidence he will show up when needed on game days and he has proven that when given the opportunity
August 30th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Just a thought…when something happens once, we shrug our shoulders and hope that doesn’t happen again. When the same thing happens again we probably have a problem. Last year we needed help big time on the Oline. Dangerous Dan and Company were worse than awful. The Bucs FO? So silent it was deafening. That issue was known from TC…no effort to fix it. We heard “Hope” ad nauseum. Now, there is another glaring weakness…really bad CB room. It’s been known since Dean left. Effort to address it? Ben. Please. I said months ago this is JL and TB prove it year. We’ll see how this known problem is addressed. If it’s “We hope Ben will rise to the challenge’ we have a recurring problem and JL fails in his prove it year.
August 30th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Remember it’s not always dumpster diving , sometimes it’s a payroll casualty ,, sometimes it’s a team that’s rich at 1 position and needs to find a guy at another position. It doesn’t sound like anything shocking will happen with our 53 but let’s see what turns up on the waiver wires
August 30th, 2026 at 7:56 am
All draft picks are important as some of them sweeten the pot for a deal to be had later so it would be unwise to dismiss what other teams do with their later picks as if that is what we should do. Other teams whiff on players too, some good players are cut before they have a chance to really shine and I think JL looks for guys he would have drafted being cut by other teams to give a try out here. Don’t give up capital for what you could get for free.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:07 am
Marine!
I totally agree with you about the cornerbacks position. I think we have a solid first through four cb rotation and won’t feel too afraid when Hayes gets on the field. We need at least two or three guys to back up the offensive line. The office line is probably the best unit on the team. However, their backups may be the worst.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:15 am
A few names already reported cut:
• Cody Ford (Bengals OT/G): Former second-round pick with extensive starting experience at both tackle and guard. Not a star, but he’s the kind of versatile swing lineman that often gets claimed quickly. NFL roster cuts tracker: Team-by-team player moves ahead of 2026 season
• Tyre Phillips (Browns OT/G): Has started games for multiple teams and offers tackle-guard flexibility. Teams short on depth will likely take a look. NFL roster cuts tracker: Team-by-team player moves ahead of 2026 season
• David Sharpe (Ravens OT): Veteran swing tackle with NFL starting experience. Valuable because competent tackles are always scarce. NFL 53-man roster cuts tracker: Every team’s moves before cutdown deadline
• Nick Dawkins (Ravens C/G): Younger interior lineman with developmental upside who may interest teams looking for center depth. NFL 53-man roster cuts tracker: Every team’s moves before cutdown deadline
• Christian Jones (Cardinals OL): A recent draft pick who could be a classic “good player squeezed by roster numbers” candidate. NFL 53-man roster cuts tracker: Every team’s moves before cutdown deadline
• Andrew Stueber (Falcons OT): Developmental tackle with size and traits worth stashing. NFL 53-man roster cuts tracker: Every team’s moves before cutdown deadline
August 30th, 2026 at 8:17 am
Hodad, I’m down with you. This is getting to be a like a three ring circus. And what really happened behind closed doors that made Mike leave?? If you want a really nice dream to come true, quit trying to plug in a guy or two and thinking that the thirty something year old guys are 26 again.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:28 am
If a competent HC\DC gets cut, that’s our biggest need. Fire Bowles and the wins pile up.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Our 5 O-line starters weren’t playing, BOTH our backup tackles weren’t playing, our drafted guard wasn’t playing. Of all the people we put on the field, mebbe Haggard or Feeney are the only ones who will land on the 53
August 30th, 2026 at 8:34 am
We have the best fans.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Seriously, who wants other teams garbage. Why would we want someone who another team doesn’t want. Kind of means we suck.
Reminds me of 2020, when we picked up some scrub RB the Jaguars didn’t want.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Licht being ready to “pounce” on on other teams discards is an indictment on his failure to build depth in the Bucs roster.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:46 am
i can only imagine the gaslighting we will experience within 10 hours. starting to smell already around here with friends and family of certain players posting nonsensically and constantly about their son/friend/client.
August 30th, 2026 at 8:52 am
@ ATL
We currently have (1) mediocre CB – Parrish.
We have (1) overpaid below mediocre CB – ZM.
We have (1) below mediocre (55 PFF score) who has been injured since 2023 – Ben-Mo.
We have a 5-10″ – 180 ILB rookie UDFA.
There are rumblings that Josh Hayes will be cut.
Can you please look at this list and explain to me how it resembles anything that should be considered a “solid” unit?
This is a disgusting mess and our GM should be relieved of his duties after this season…
Sorry but it’s not my fault.
Blame Jason.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Welp Bazelak is outta here, along with LBs Bullock & Jackson. Elijah Klein is also outta here.
Apparently Josh Hayes had a procedure on his knee, so he’s out for the time being with that.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:03 am
“Can you please look at this list and explain to me how it resembles anything that should be considered a “solid” unit?“
Calling Parrish mediocre just to emphasize your complaints about Licht is on embellishment too far. You’d know need a hammer for a thumb tack lol
August 30th, 2026 at 9:12 am
@ warrin
Good morning.
Parrish is the lone bright shining star and his PFF rating last season was 68.5.
32nd rated CB out of 114…
You believe this is something “special”?
All-Pro?
Really?
The kid is OK but he ain’t nothing special yet.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:27 am
@Marine
I use PFF to justify what my eyes see, not the other way around. Hope that works out for you, but it’s going to make you sound silly if you don’t frame it right contextually. Which I think is kind of your point half the time.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Keep an eye out on Kristian Fulton, CB from the Kansas City Chiefs….
Wouldn’t be surprised to see us grab him.
August 30th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Is Bowles eligible to be cut today?
August 30th, 2026 at 10:13 am
Todd needs to cut himself.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Browning just got cut! Jalon is QB2. Baker fans, are you nervous? Lol
August 30th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Ian Rappaport just posted that Jalen Daniels is going to be the number 2 back up to Baker and not Jake Browning!!
August 30th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Sean Tucker was born too late. Love that guy but he’s a 1960s-80s bellcow.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:36 am
Not nervous at all @Bee….why are you and your other anti-Baker ilk always so worried about what we think? Like someone posted a day or two ago, about “living rent free” in someone’s head….I guess this is an example of that? You jokes are pathetic….I cant wait to see the new Baker deal and then ya’ll lose your minds.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Madmax
What new deal? They offered him over $100 mil and he said no. Which means he doesn’t want to be a Buc. He doesn’t like the team or else he would’ve signed. I’m not anti-Baker, I’m pro Bucs and he doesn’t make the Bucs a better team.
August 30th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Bills released CB DJ Miller….who had a great showing during preseason….could be one to look at.
You’re an idiot Bee, just shush, im busy!
August 30th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Culp waived.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:12 am
Todd..
“ Nothing says roster confidence like circling your neighbor’s garbage before pickup”
Agreed. Hope is not a strategy.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Bee Says:
“What new deal? They offered him over $100 mil and he said no. Which means he doesn’t want to be a Buc. He doesn’t like the team or else he would’ve signed.”
Well, that’s just not true, Bee. He turned it down because he knew without any guarantees it means nothing.
He wants to stay…he wants 3+ years and 2 guaranteed. And he’ll get it.
I realize you don’t want success, but you’re not going to get your way.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Josh Williams got cut
August 30th, 2026 at 11:20 am
^oh man….I was hoping he would make it.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:20 am
These are the cuts I saw so far.
QB Jake Browning
QB Connor Bazelak
S Marcus Banks
RB Kadarius Calloway
RB Barika Kpeenu
WR Dennis Houston
TE Kenny Fletcher
TE Devin Culp
G Nash Hutmacher
OL Elijah Klein
DT Travis Shaw
LB John Bullock
LB Nick Jackson
August 30th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Bee Says: “What new deal? They offered him over $100 mil and he said no. Which means he doesn’t want to be a Buc.”
You have no clue as to the specifics of that offer. I know this because neither side has offered those details. Most importantly to Baker I would assume, is what were the guarantees?
The Bucs could offer Baker a $1 Billion contract, $50M/year for 20 years. But with none of that guaranteed, it’s the same as offering him nothing.
At this point, it would be just as fair to say: It’s clear the Bucs don’t want Baker.
And before all the haters jump all over me, let me remind you that I have been saying for months that the Bucs should trade Baker now and get something for him, take the fewer wins with the associated better draft position, and move on from the QB, HC & GM!
August 30th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Trask got cut
August 30th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Josh Williams just got cut
August 30th, 2026 at 11:23 am
The Bucs gotta find another Safety and 2 CBs
August 30th, 2026 at 11:30 am
Of course Trask got cut. He’s done.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Keenan Allen immersing himself in the Colts culture established by Jim Irsay
August 30th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Cut down say says a lot for where your team is at. Remember cutdown day in the 80’s and 90’s? We would sign guys who would be STARTING Week 1. How times have changed.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:40 am
I’m curious to see if CB Ayden Garnes makes roster or practice squad.
August 30th, 2026 at 11:54 am
I do hope this team can fight its way to a winning season. The reality is we know what the ceiling is for this HC. Most NFL coaches don’t make it past 3 years because you know what you have by 3 years. Bowles has been here since 2019 and the HC since 2022. He also has a worse W/L % than Lovie Smith. The Glazers and JL right now cannot justify why he is still the HC, yet here we are. Its a deep run into the playoffs or bust. A losing season will be the end of Bowles and his HC career.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
Looks like my guy Sean Tucker did indeed out run the Turk…at least for now.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
ESPN says that we’re cutting Browning and keeping Daniels. I’m fine with that choice, but there’s no way we couldn’t have traded Browning for a back end pick with one of the teams that need a backup QB (like Miami). Come on Licht. Do your job.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
I really hope that Plyburn isn’t the one that we talk about for the next 5 years. He appears to have a ton of potential and “brings the juice” that Bowles said our team needs.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
How long is the waiting period after waivers to be able to assemble the practice squad?
August 30th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
if i’m correct there have been 24 cuts…..to 66 now…
and the tough final 13 cuts to get to 53 are coming in the next few hours…
then comes the shuffle for 2-3 guys from other squads that will be currently blowing in the wind…
so in all, another 15-16 guys get cut in the next day or so…
then again, for some dense people like @Justin…a bunch will go back to the practice squad…like jake browning
August 30th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Looks like Sean Tucker has survived over Josh Williams. That’s the right move.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
browning is a real scrub tho…with a weak arm…i’m shocked he was even signed…that was poor judgement right from the start…
he just looks like a statue in the pocket that’s about to get engulfed on so many plays…no roll out ability or anything…just a f’in “pocket sloth”…
that should be his new name: “pocket sloth”
August 30th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
“How long is the waiting period after waivers to be able to assemble the practice squad?“
6:01pm tonight to 1PM tomorrow when teams can officially make claims on players. So bout 19 hrs. Claim priority order is determined by draft order and excludes trade order changes. So wherever teams were slotted to pick is their respective waiver order. We’re 15th.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
pyburn cut…………..?
like wtf…….he looked like a keeper
August 30th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Who’s making these backup QB decisions round here lately? The move I’ll never understand last year to make Teddy Bridgewater off the street a week before the season to Jake Browning this season….
Regardless, thank goodness for an exciting backup QB prevailing this time around tho!
August 30th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Some people here seem to think grabbing cut players en masse is normal and that the Bucs need to go dumpster diving for several players. On average, less than 30 of the players cut today by the entire NFL will be signed by another team.
Why?
Because a team that claims and is awarded a player must make a corresponding roster move by releasing another player to stay at the 53-man limit. Teams cannot place a newly claimed player directly on the practice squad.
So, for you geniuses that want to grab a bunch of other players, name me one-for-one who you cut from the Bucs 53 to make immediate room for each guy you want to add.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Where did you read Pyburn was cut??
Browning was awful. Absolutely correct decision at QB.
August 30th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Thanks for the comment explanation of the breakdown Warren Brooks Lynch. That is the information I was looking for.
August 30th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
one of the other major bucs outlets, has said he has been cut on a live show now…
crazy surprised on the pyburn release
August 30th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
they said keeping braswell, and cut pyburn……seems wild
August 30th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
i also figured we keep jj roberts or wisdom, with our weak safety depth