NFL schedule for teams to cut rosters to 75 players, and the final 53 players

The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with every other NFL franchise, have a current roster of 90 players. This will quickly be changing as the league rules mandate that all teams trim their rosters from 90 to 75, then from 75 to 53. Once the team gets their rosters to 53 players, they have met the league regulations for the start of the regular season.

See the dates of importance below:

September 1st - NFL teams must trim rosters to 75 players by 4 p.m. EST.

September 5th - NFL teams must trim rosters to 53 players by 4: p.m. EST.

The truly interesting aspect of these chaotic days of players being cut is when a player is released he has to go through the process of clearing waivers before a team can bring them back in the fold as a practice squad player.

However, as teams trim the fat off their roster, they are not just keeping an eye on the players they let go, but also new free agents who were released by other teams. Cut down day is looming, and teams everywhere are preparing to let go of the first wave of players who will learn their dream of playing football in the NFL will be put on hold.  While some will be fortunate to extend their career due to an injury to someone else or an invitation to try again next season, for many their NFL playing days will be over.  Life is tough for a player at the margins.