For 37 players, life in the NFL just got a little bit tougher. The deadline for the NFL roster cuts was Tuesday afternoon, when teams had to reduce their rosters from 90 players to 53 by 2:00 PM MT. The Broncos got an early start on Sunday, having returned from their preseason game in New Orleans, by releasing five players from the team. Of the 37 players cut, 16 will be signed to the practice squad after they clear waivers from other teams that have the ability to sign those players. The Broncos also have the ability to sign players who have been cut by other teams.

With the depth of the 2025 Denver Broncos’ team, the decisions were harder for head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton than in years past. Players who scored touchdowns or intercepted passes in the preseason were still cut from the squad, including running back Audric Estime, cornerback Damari Mathis, and quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

For those three players, there was a quick turnaround, in less than 24 hours, to find out their new destinations. Mathis, now in his fourth year, was signed by the Carolina Panthers. Running back Audric Estime, who scored a touchdown for the Broncos in Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, was signed to the practice squad for the defending world champion Philadelphia Eagles. And, for third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger, he turned down offers from two other teams’ active rosters to remain with the Broncos.

“One thing that was noticeable, I would say, our first year I can’t tell you the length of the meeting,” said Head Coach Sean Payton. “There’s always… [General Manager] George [Paton] and I are meeting daily, leading up to, call it the final meeting the night before. I can’t tell you an hour or two hours, last year [it was] an hour, two hours. But last night was closer to six hours. There was a lot of discussion, film. It was very evident that we’re deeper. I would say, just strictly based on the length of the meeting and the process itself, that was very clear. I think it was evident in the preseason games as you watched them. When the second wave or the third wave went in, you saw good football.”

Of note, in the running back room, the Broncos are going with four running backs, led by JK Dobbins, followed by RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie. The wide receivers will be Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Trent Sherfield.

Other notable players cut on Tuesday include: RB Blake Watson, WR Courtney Jackson, TE Caleb Lohner, TE Caden Prieskorn, ILB Levell Bailey, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, CB Micah Abraham, OL Clay Webb, OL Marques Cox, and WR Joaquin Davis.

“Yes, it is always a tough day, especially with people with who you build relationships with over the course of time and over the period of their tenure here,” said cornerback Pat Surtain, II. “I wish them the best of luck wherever they go, but it’s something that’s definitely heartfelt because you’ve been grinding, putting in the work with these guys day in and day out. You hate to see them go, but it’s a part of the business.”

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