As the 2024 NFL season looms, all 32 teams are making pivotal decisions to finalize their rosters. In these final days, the landscape of the league sees continuous shifts, especially with a slew of notable quarterbacks becoming cutdown casualties.
Noteworthy Quarterbacks Released
Among the high-profile releases, the Detroit Lions parted ways with a former Indiana product, a towering figure at 6-6, 230 pounds. Despite his impressive physical attributes and a wealth of knowledge gleaned from time spent under coaches Doug Pederson and Kyle Shanahan with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, his contributions on the field were minimal, with just 14 pass attempts over the past six seasons. In Detroit, Hendon Hooker has secured the backup role to Jared Goff, rendering the need for this seasoned, but underutilized, quarterback redundant.
The Chicago Bears also made headlines by releasing Brett Rypien. Rypien, who began his NFL journey with the Denver Broncos, entering the league with much promise, managed to compile a 2-1 record as a starter during his time in Denver. His preseason debut this year showed strong signs, particularly his downfield chemistry with wideout Collin Johnson. However, Tyson Bagent outperformed him for the backup position behind Caleb Williams, leading to Rypien's release.
Desmond Ridder's journey with the Arizona Cardinals has similarly come to an abrupt end. Acquired in a player-for-player trade earlier this offseason, Ridder was initially pegged to bring depth to the Cardinals' quarterback lineup. Instead, Clayton Tune emerged as the more viable option to back up Kyler Murray. Ridder, a third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, now finds himself searching for a new team.
In New England, Bailey Zappe faced a similar fate. Drafted in the fourth round by the Patriots in 2022, Zappe showed flashes of potential, evidenced by his 4-4 record as a replacement starter, with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over his initial two years. However, the Patriots' current depth at quarterback—featuring Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, and Joe Milton III—left little room for Zappe, prompting his release.
Injury Impacts and Trade Dynamics
CJ Beathard’s tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars ended not through performance cuts but due to an injury settlement. Originally brought into the league as a third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, Beathard had occasional standout moments, including six touchdowns and zero interceptions during the 2022 season as a fill-in. However, with Mac Jones now acquired via trade, Beathard's future in Jacksonville became untenable. His lone start during his three years with the Jaguars may well be his last game in teal.
These roster adjustments underscore the evolving nature of team compositions and the harsh realities of professional football. Even players with promising starts and moments of brilliance have to prove their worth continually, particularly in the highly scrutinized quarterback position. The relentless competition and the strategic maneuvers by franchises often mean that only those who can consistently deliver, adapt, and seize their opportunities secure their spot.
While the focus primarily falls on these released quarterbacks, the moves speak more broadly to the tactical shifts and the calculated risks that teams are willing to take. The decisions made in these final roster cuts often ripple through the season, impacting depth charts and game strategies.
As teams finalize their 53-man rosters in preparation for the 2024 kick-off, fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how these changes play out. The perpetual state of flux in the NFL is a testament to the sport’s unpredictability and the high stakes involved in maintaining, improving, or recapturing competitive edge.