The NFL is a league of constant change, especially when it comes to rosters. As preseason wraps up, teams face difficult decisions, cutting their rosters from 90 players down to 53. It’s a brutal time for players trying to make their dreams a reality. But here’s the thing: not all cuts are created equal. If you’ve ever heard someone talk about a player being “waived” or “released,” you might think they mean the same thing—but they don’t.
These two terms are more than just technical jargon in the NFL. They represent very different processes and can completely change what happens to a player next. So, let’s break it all down—the difference between waived and released, how the waiver wire works, and why it’s such a big deal for teams and players.
What Does It Mean To Be Waived Or Released?
The distinction between being waived and released boils down to a player’s experience level in the league. Players with at least four accrued seasons—defined as seasons where they are on full-pay status for at least six games—are classified as “vested veterans.” When a vested veteran is cut, their contract is terminated, and they are released. This allows them to immediately enter free agency, where they can negotiate with and sign with any team without restrictions.
For players with fewer than four accrued seasons, the process is different. These individuals are “waived,” meaning their contract is not immediately terminated. Instead, they are placed on the waiver wire, where other NFL teams have a 24-hour window to claim them. If a player is claimed, their contract transfers to the claiming team. The player clears waivers if no team places a claim and becomes a free agent.
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How Does The Waiver Wire Work?
The waiver wire operates on a priority system, allowing teams to claim players. This order is initially determined by the previous season’s standings, with the worst-performing teams having the highest priority. For the first three weeks of the regular season, this order remains unchanged, but beginning in Week 4, it adjusts weekly based on current standings.
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Teams can claim multiple players off waivers without losing their priority position. This differs from systems like fantasy football, where claiming a player often moves a team to the back of the line. However, teams must have the necessary roster space to accommodate any players they claim, as these individuals must be added to the team’s 53-man roster.
How Teams Use Waivers Strategically?
In the NFL, teams often use the waiver and release systems to manage their rosters strategically. For example, a team might waive a young, promising player they believe could clear waivers while releasing a veteran who is more likely to re-sign with them as a free agent. This tactic ensures they retain control over their most valued assets without risking their immediate loss.
In the NFL, teams often use the waiver and release systems to manage their rosters strategically. For example, a team might waive a young, promising player they believe could clear waivers while releasing a veteran who is more likely to re-sign with them as a free agent. This tactic ensures they retain control over their most valued assets without risking their immediate loss.
Injured players also factor into these strategies. If a player is hurt but still valuable, teams might place them on injured reserve (IR) to free up roster space. To do this, the player must first be included on the initial 53-man roster before being moved to IR. Alternatively, some players are waived with an injury designation. If unclaimed, they revert to their team’s IR or may negotiate an injury settlement, allowing them to become free agents.
At the end of the day, the waiver wire isn’t just some boring paperwork process. It’s a game within the game, and teams that know how to navigate it can protect their rosters while snagging talent from other squads. For players, it’s a nerve-wracking 24 hours that can make or break their careers. And for fans? It’s just one more reason to appreciate the chess match happening behind the scenes.
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