12 FORMER FLORIDA GATORS RELEASED OR WAIVED BY NFL TEAMS

NFL cutdown day brought a wave of uncertainty for 12 former Florida Gators.

Several former Florida players were released or waived Sunday as teams finalized their rosters ahead of Week 1. For some, the move could be the start of a new opportunity rather than the end of their NFL journey.

The 12 former Florida Gators released or waived by NFL teams span seven different franchises, with three already finding their way onto practice squads.

Former Florida Gators hit by NFL roster cuts

The Cleveland Browns waived Tyreak Sapp and Kingsley Eguakun, while the Green Bay Packers waived/injured Trey Dean III.

The Carolina Panthers waived Jeremiah Moon, and the Dallas Cowboys waived Trikweze Bridges.

The Jacksonville Jaguars waived Amari Burney, while the New Orleans Saints waived Brien Taylor Jr.

That group represents seven former Gators who were waived during the NFL’s cutdown process.

The other five players were released outright.

Five former Florida players released outright

The Kansas City Chiefs released Kaiir Elam, while the Miami Dolphins released Marco Wilson.

The Panthers released quarterback Kyle Trask, and the Philadelphia Eagles released running back Dameon Pierce.

The Washington Commanders released wide receiver Van Jefferson.

Unlike a waiver, an outright release makes a player an immediate free agent.

That distinction could become important as teams continue reshaping their rosters before the regular season begins.

Three former Gators quickly land on practice squads

The early news has already improved for three of the 12 players.

Sapp re-signed with Cleveland after being waived.

Elam found another opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Pierce returned to Philadelphia after his release and landed with the Eagles’ practice squad.

For those players, the roster cuts were more of a detour than a dead end.

Practice squads provide teams with additional depth while giving players an opportunity to remain in an NFL organization.

They can also create a path back to the active roster during the season.

Waived versus released: What it means for former Florida players

The difference between the two roster moves is significant.

A waived player must go through the NFL waiver process. If the player clears waivers, he can become a free agent.

Released players become free agents immediately.

Dean’s situation is slightly different because Green Bay waived him while injured.

If Dean clears waivers, he can revert to the Packers’ injured reserve.

That gives the former Florida defensive back a different path as the league moves toward Week 1.

More opportunities could emerge after NFL cutdown day

The first wave of roster cuts does not necessarily determine where these players finish the season.

NFL teams continue making adjustments as they evaluate depth, injuries and roster needs.

Several of the former Gators affected Sunday also have NFL experience, which could help them attract interest from other teams.

Practice squads are another option.

A player who misses an initial 53-man roster can still remain in an organization’s system and potentially earn an opportunity later.

That could be particularly important for the former Gators who have not yet announced their next destination.

What happens next for the former Florida Gators

The next few days could bring more movement.

Some players could clear waivers and test free agency. Others could receive practice-squad offers or return to organizations they already know.

For Florida fans, the NFL roster shuffle is worth watching closely.

The careers of these former Gators are not necessarily defined by one cutdown-day decision.

With Week 1 approaching, another opportunity could be only one roster move away.

The 12 former Florida Gators released or waived by NFL teams still have opportunities to continue their NFL careers.