The 2025 NFL offseason has been nothing short of dramatic. While every year brings with it some surprising roster changes, this year’s crop of cuts included a number of head-scratching decisions that shocked fans and analysts alike. Teams are dealing with tighter salary caps, fresh rookie talent, and aging veterans whose value has become a point of contention. Below are the top 10 most surprising NFL football cuts of 2025 and a deep dive into what they signal for the league’s direction.
1. Dak Prescott – QB, Dallas Cowboys
In a move that stunned both fans and analysts, the Dallas Cowboys chose to part ways with long-time quarterback Dak Prescott. The veteran signal-caller, who had led the team through several playoff runs, was released just months after the Cowboys failed to negotiate a long-term extension.
What It Means: This signals a potential rebuild or a shift in offensive philosophy for Dallas. Rumors indicate a possible trade up for a top QB in the 2025 NFL Draft or a free agency approach. Financial considerations also played a major role, with Prescott’s cap hit becoming unsustainable under the new CBA adjustments.
2. DeAndre Hopkins – WR, Tennessee Titans
Though his production dipped slightly in 2024, few expected the Titans to release DeAndre Hopkins outright. He remained one of the team’s most reliable playmakers and a key mentor to younger receivers.
What It Means: Tennessee is likely focusing on youth development and cap restructuring. Their young wide receivers like Treylon Burks are now expected to step up. Hopkins may still find a home with another contender hungry for a veteran presence.
3. Dalvin Cook – RB, Free Agent (cut by Jets again)
After failing to find long-term stability in 2024, Dalvin Cook was picked up again by the Jets midseason, only to be cut as teams finalize their 2025 rosters. This marks the second time in two years that he’s been released despite flashes of brilliance.
What It Means: The NFL continues to devalue running backs with high usage and injury histories. Cook, once a top-5 RB, is emblematic of the league’s evolving offensive trends toward committee backfields and rookie contracts.
4. Hunter Renfrow – WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Known for his precise route running and reliability, Hunter Renfrow seemed like a lock for a Raiders team desperate for consistency in their passing game. But to many’s surprise, Las Vegas opted to let him go before the season.
What It Means: Renfrow’s release speaks volumes about the team’s commitment to younger talent and a new offensive identity under their still-coalescing coaching staff. Expect him to sign with a contender looking for a dependable slot option.
5. Shaquil Barrett – EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The sack specialist and key piece in Tampa Bay’s 2020 Super Bowl run, Shaquil Barrett‘s release was driven by salary cap necessities more than performance. Still productive at age 32, the veteran edge rusher drew visible fan outrage upon release announcement.
What It Means: The Buccaneers are pitching their chips in with a younger, cheaper defensive line. Barrett will likely be picked up quickly, especially by defenses seeking pass-rush depth.
6. JC Jackson – CB, Los Angeles Chargers
After signing a massive contract in 2022, JC Jackson never truly returned to form to justify the investment made by the Chargers. His injury concerns and inconsistent play saw him become expendable in 2025.
What It Means: Cornerback value fluctuates rapidly in today’s NFL. Even former All-Pro talents like Jackson are not immune to release if performance doesn’t meet cost expectations. This cut underscores the league’s “what-have-you-done-lately” approach.
7. Kareem Hunt – RB, Cleveland Browns
Returning to the team midseason in 2024 following Nick Chubb’s injury, Kareem Hunt provided hard-earned snaps and key scores for the Browns. Still, the front office decided to move on heading into the 2025 season.
What It Means: This speaks more to the Browns’ confidence in their young backups and Chubb’s rehab progress than an indictment on Hunt. However, his release further exemplifies how disposable the running back position has become in contract negotiations.
8. Hendon Hooker – QB, Detroit Lions
The Lions’ 2023 third-round pick was once considered a dark horse to start once Jared Goff’s contract expired. But a disappointing preseason and lack of progression saw Hendon Hooker cut before ever starting a regular-season game.
What It Means: Detroit is all in on Goff for the next few seasons. Hooker’s release shows how fast NFL teams are to pull the plug on quarterbacks who don’t immediately impress. Look for him to catch on elsewhere as a developmental prospect.
9. Laken Tomlinson – G, New York Jets
A consistent starter for multiple years and a key component in protecting aging quarterbacks, Laken Tomlinson‘s release caught most off guard. Despite slight regression, many believed he had another season left in him.
What It Means: This could reflect an aggressive shift in the Jets’ offensive line strategy, emphasizing speed over size and youth over experience. With Aaron Rodgers nearing the end of his career, the team may pivot toward a younger foundation.
10. Michael Gallup – WR, Dallas Cowboys
In a double-shock for Cowboys fans, Michael Gallup was also cut in the same week as Prescott. Once considered a key complement to CeeDee Lamb, Gallup never fully bounced back from ACL injuries and inconsistent usage.
What It Means: Dallas is ready to reset completely. With Prescott and Gallup gone, younger players like Jalen Tolbert and rookie wideouts may get expanded roles. The financial reset also allows Dallas to pursue other free agency targets this offseason.
The Broader Implications
Each of these surprising cuts tells a larger story about the current state of NFL roster building:
- Salaries are under more scrutiny with teams trying to stay flexible amid a changing salary cap landscape.
- Younger, cheaper talent is more favorable, especially if coaches believe the ceiling is high enough to justify development time.
- Veterans face more risk when production declines even slightly, especially at high-cost positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive line.
There’s also the effect of analytics-driven team construction. Front offices are increasingly turning to data to assess value, leading to more emotionally-detached personnel moves that disregard fan sentiment in favor of optimized rosters.
As training camps approach, many of these players will surely find new homes. Teams looking to make a deep playoff run will prioritize experience and proven production, while rebuilding franchises may favor developmental talent and long-term investment. Either way, these surprising cuts have set the stage for one of the most intriguing NFL seasons in recent memory.
Fans should keep an eye on the waiver wire and follow how these players fare in their new environments. The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be about change—not just at the quarterback position, but across every layer of team construction.