Five most surprising NFL roster cuts

NFL teams were required to trim their rosters from 75 players to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, leaving many young hopefuls and struggling veterans without a job heading into Week 1. Many former stars were let go, including former Super Bowl champion WR Hakeem Nicks, two-time Pro Bowler CB Tim Jennings and former first-round pick QB Christian Ponder. Hundreds of players were released this past weekend, but some were more surprising than others.

5. DE/LB Jason Babin, New York Jets

The 11-year NFL veteran was signed to a two-year contract by the New York Jets in the summer of 2015, but he has yet to see the field dressed in green and white. What makes the release of Babin so surprising is the lack of depth at the defensive line and outside linebacker positions. Right now, emerging star Sheldon Richardson is going to be suspended for a portion of the 2015 season, rookie Louis Williams is the lone right D-end on the depth chart and Quinton Coples is slotted as the only LOLB for the Jets. Babin is a two-time Pro Bowler but has had trouble locking
up a home team. New York has been his eighth team in 11 seasons.

4. K Nick Novak, San Diego Chargers

Kickers are overlooked athletes in the world of football, but it seems like people are finally starting to appreciate special teamers after Ray Guy became the first punter to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Novak is also an NFL journeyman who has been with the Chargers since 2011. San Diego has decided to go with Josh Lambo, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Texas A&M instead. The unproven rookie will have his work cut out for him, as Novak made 74 of 83 field goals since rejoining the Chargers in 2011.

3. QB Tim Tebow, Philadelphia Eagles

Third-string quarterback battles normally do not make headline news in the NFL, but who are we kidding — it’s Tim Tebow. After a year removed from football, Tebow returned for a shot at redemption and looked like he landed in the perfect spot with Chip Kelly in Philadelphia. After outperforming Matt Barkley in the preseason, Barkley was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a conditional seventh-round pick. It looked like smooth sailing for Tebow, until Kelly decided to keep just two quarterbacks on the opening day roster and Tebow’s dream looked all but over.

2. The New York Giants’ purge

The Giants are a classy organization with a storied history, but one thing that they do not do is live in the past. Just ask Tom Coughlin, a Super Bowl-winning coach who has been on the hot seat every other year since taking over in New York. They made a big splash this preseason, releasing former Pro Bowler James Jones, 2014 leading tackler Jameel McClain, and longtime Giants Henry Hynoski and Steve Weatherford, both of whom were a part of the Giants’ most recent Super Bowl Championship team.

1. QB Matt Cassel, Buffalo Bills

Cassel has come a long way since his magical year with the New England Patriots in 2010 where he made the Pro Bowl. Since then, he has had stints in Kansas City and Minnesota before being traded to the Buffalo Bills this past offseason. Cassel entered the 2015 NFL training camp as what seemed like the overwhelming favorite for Rex Ryan’s new team. Instead, Ryan elected to go with the unproven Tyrod Taylor as his Week 1 started, while saving the Bills $4 million by cutting Cassel and keeping E.J. Manuel as his backup.