Patriots 53-man roster cut tracker 2026: Live updates and analysis

With the preseason now in the rearview mirror, the Patriots face the difficult task of cutting their current 90-man roster to just 53 players to carry into the 2026 season, which is much different from years past.

In prior years, teams had to make multiple cuts before assembling their season roster, but now they'll have to make 37 decisions at once, with Sunday, August 30 as the deadline.

The Patriots are in a unique situation: they aren't the deepest team at most positions, as Mike Vrabel even candidly said, so who they keep and who they release might not be as easy as they would like.

There have been plenty of roster battles to watch this summer, and those bubble players needed to take advantage of them; now Vrabel and Co. will have to decide who is good enough to stick around and who might be good enough to keep on the practice squad moving forward.

1. Latest Patriots roster cuts
2. Updated Patriots 53-man roster
3. Notable cuts
4. Potential waiver wire targets from around the league
5. Potential free agent targets

Last updated: Tuesday, September @ 4:03 p.m.

Latest Patriots roster cuts

Updated Patriots 53-man roster

QB: Drake Maye, Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton

RB: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Corey Kiner

FB: Reggie Gilliam

WR: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III

TE: Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Tanner Arkin, Cameron Latu

OL: Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Ben Brown, Caleb Lomu, Greg Van Roten, Dametrious Crownover, Walter Rouse

DT: Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Leonard Taylor III, Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer

OLB: Dre'Mont Jones, Gabe Jacas, Quintayvious Hutchins

LB: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Harold Landry III, Namdi Obiazor, Elijah Ponder, Darius Muasau, Erick Hunter

CB: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty, Channing Canada

S: Kevin Byard III, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Jaylen Reed

ST: Julian Ashby, Andy Borregales

IR: TE Julian Hill, RB Terrell Jennings, WR Jimmy Kibble, WR Jeremiah Webb, OL Marcus Bryant, S Brenden Schooler, P Bryce Baringer, LB Khalil Jacobs

PUP: LB Harold Landry III

Notable cuts

C Jacob Rizy

Throughout training camp, there was hype building around Rizy as a potentially solid backup on the already thin offensive line. Because the roster is thin, they may have cut him to keep more players at other positions, so it wouldn't be surprising if they brought him back to the practice squad.

RBs JaMycal Hasty and Hassan Haskins

Two of the top prospects to take the RB3 roles on this year's roster were cut on Saturday, and it might have more to do with the fact that they traded with the Cardinals for Corey Kiner than anything else. The Patriots are taking a risk by bringing in a player this late in the offseason and likely giving him a primary role, but they clearly believe he can be a playmaker.

OLB Bradyn Swinson

The second-year pass rusher was unexpectedly cut as a rookie, but earned his way back to the 53-man roster after an impressive stint on the practice squad. He followed that up with a solid performance this preseason, and the belief was he earned a spot in a very thin OLB room, only to be cut on Sunday morning.

Potential waiver wire targets from around the league

CB Alex Austin

The former Patriot spent last season with the Dolphins, but didn't survive roster cuts this year, making him available for New England to sign. Because they clearly need more depth at cornerback, he should be considered a potential target.

OT Blake Freeland

A versatile offensive tackle drafted in the fourth-round in 2023, the Patriots could further boost their offensive line depth by signing the 25-year-old. Although he missed the 2025 season, his ability to play at both tackle spots might be intriguing enough to give him a shot.

Potential free agent targets

LB Elandon Roberts

The defense needs a lot of help stopping the run, as we saw against the Browns in the preseason finale. Elandon Roberts, who has played for the Patriots before, is as solid as they come in that area, and now that he's available, they might want to consider a reunion.

TE Pharaoh Brown

Although the tight end room might look solid with Hunter Henry leading the way, the depth is questionable at best. That could open the door for another reunion with Pharoah Brown, who had the best season of his career with the Patriots in 2023.

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

The Cardinals released the 32-year-old after a productive lone season in Arizona. His connection to Vrabel from the one year he spent with the Titans in 2023 might be intriguing enough for the Patriots to consider bringing him in. That year, he recorded 57 combined tackles, 2 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and one recovery. If he can keep the momentum going, the Patriots have no reason to pass on bringing him into a very thin cornerback roster.

OT Evan Neal

A first-round pick in 2022, Evan Neal is another name to watch who can help the vulnerable offensive line. He's started 27 games for the Giants over the last three years, and clearly, he was projected to have a high ceiling since he was drafted so high. It's possible a change of scenery and more of a backup role would better suit him for the time being.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow