Locals In The NFL Roster Cuts Tracker: Who Becomes Free Agents?

It’s the time of the offseason when NFL teams cut their roster from 90 to 53, which means a handful of locals will become free agents.

From rookies who didn’t stick in their first home to veterans trying to find a new home, here is every player with Utah ties to get cut at the roster deadline.

That’s the end of the 2025 Preseason.

Now the games count.

Who’s ready?

— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025

Cleveland Browns Release QB Tyler Huntley

The Browns were the first team to make cuts, releasing 22 players. One being former Utah QB Tyler Huntley.

Huntley played with the Browns in the 2024 preseason and was also cut ahead of the deadline. He signed with the Ravens’ practice squad and eventually ended up as the backup in Miami. He re-signed in Cleveland after the 2024 season.

This move was clearly on the horizon, though. The Browns had seven QBs on their roster, and two are rookies.

Browns releasing QB Tyler Huntley. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/PPEdrJo5zI

— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025

Patriots Release Two Former Utes

New England was another team to make their first cuts early, dropping 14 players.

Two of the players were University of Utah alumni, running back Micah Bernard and tight end Cole Fotheringham.

Bernard was picked up as an undrafted free agent and will now hit waivers. Fotheringham joined the Patriots this offseason. In the last two years, he has played on four different teams’ practice and preseason squads but has failed to make a gameday roster since 2023.

Vikings Waive BYU’s Max Tooley

Minnesota released 11 players. That list included one of their quarterbacks and former BYU linebacker Max Tooley.

Tooley joined the Houston Texans after going undrafted in 2024. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad at last year’s deadline. After the season, he joined Minnesota’s practice squad.

The Vikings waived Tooley on July 30, re-signed him on August 13, and waived him again at the deadline. According to the transaction wire, Tooley recently worked out for the Green Bay Packers.

The #Vikings have signed OL Zack Bailey (@ZackaryDBailey) and RB Xazavian Valladay (@Xfactor4_).

LB Max Tooley has been waived.

📰: https://t.co/UVsrjhgCmB pic.twitter.com/LfVP7EDqZ0

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 19, 2025

What Happens After The Roster Cut Deadline

With 32 teams cutting dozens of athletes from their team, over 1,000 people will lose their jobs before week one. However, it is far from the end of the road for those who get cut.

For players in their first four seasons as a professional, they will hit waivers after being released.

The waiver order is the same as the NFL Draft, so the Titans will have the first choice of players in that pool if they were to add to their roster at any point.

Players with four or more seasons of experience aren’t eligible for waivers. So, they will instantly become a free agent and can discuss a new contract with a team or join any practice squad for a chance of getting called up.

About #LocalsInTheNFL

For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.

Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.

From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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