NFL Roster Cuts: Why McCarthy & Richardson Are Both Still Here
NFL roster cuts for 2026 are officially in the books, and if you were expecting a clean sweep of struggling former first-round quarterbacks, that’s not exactly what happened. J.J. McCarthy and Anthony Richardson both survived cutdown weekend, and honestly, the reasons why say a lot about how modern rosters actually get built.
Let’s start with the guy everyone assumed would be gone.
Why the Vikings Didn’t Move On From McCarthy
McCarthy’s rookie season was rough. Like, genuinely tough to watch at times. The Vikings quietly shopped him around in the final days before cutdown weekend, and no team offered anything close to a fair return. So Minnesota kept him.
The bigger reason though? Money. Cutting McCarthy would’ve triggered a $9.7 million dead cap hit, a full $3.8 million more expensive than just keeping him on the books. That’s not a football decision so much as a spreadsheet decision, and it’s exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes math that decides way more roster spots than fans realize.
There’s also a health wrinkle here. ESPN reported McCarthy is dealing with an ankle injury that could keep him sidelined for multiple weeks to start the season, which means whatever plan Minnesota had for him just got pushed back anyway.
Richardson Gets One More Year in Indy
Over in Indianapolis, the story is even more interesting. Richardson actually requested a trade this offseason. The Colts gave him permission to look for one. And then… nothing happened. No team was willing to give up real draft capital for a former No. 4 overall pick who’s dealt with as many injuries as good performances through three seasons.
GM Chris Ballard made it official on Friday: “He is going to be an Indianapolis Colt this year.” Richardson now sits third on the depth chart behind Daniel Jones and rookie Riley Leonard, a steep fall for a guy who was supposed to be the franchise answer back in 2023.
His preseason numbers weren’t bad, 21 of 33 for 249 yards with a rushing touchdown, but they weren’t enough to change the calculus either. He’ll spend 2026 as insurance instead of the starter Indy once bet everything on.
Around the league, this kind of quarterback hoarding wasn’t isolated. Five different teams ended up carrying four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster this year, well above the usual two or three. Cutdown weekend clearly had more organizations playing it safe at the position than usual.
The Cuts That Actually Stung
Not every notable name got a second chance. Frank Gore Jr., son of NFL legend Frank Gore, was among the players the Bills let go, closing out a preseason run that had generated real buzz around Buffalo. And in a move connected to our Giants coverage from earlier this week, New York officially moved on from former No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal, who never found his footing after failing to stick at tackle.
Key Takeaways
- J.J. McCarthy stays in Minnesota after trade talks fell through and the cap math favored keeping him
- Anthony Richardson remains a Colt for 2026 despite requesting a trade earlier this offseason
- Five NFL teams carried four quarterbacks on their opening 53-man roster, an unusually high number
- Frank Gore Jr. was among the Bills’ cuts, while the Giants moved on from Evan Neal
Our Take
This weekend proved something worth remembering all season: roster decisions aren’t always about who’s playing well. Sometimes it’s about who’s cheapest to keep, who else is available on the trade market, and what a team’s actual depth chart problems look like. McCarthy and Richardson didn’t survive because they earned it on tape. They survived because the alternative cost more, in cap dollars and draft capital, than either team wanted to pay. That’s the real lesson of cutdown weekend, and it’s exactly why we’ll keep tracking these decisions well past Week 1.
Which roster cut or save surprised you the most? Let us know, we’re keeping tabs on every 53-man roster storyline heading into the regular season.
