These 7 NFL Stars Could Get Brutally Cut Before 2025 Season Starts

The NFL’s roster cut deadline is approaching faster than a Patrick Mahomes no-look pass, and honestly? Some of these potential casualties are going to sting more than stepping on a LEGO barefoot at 3 AM.

Look, we all know the drill by now. Every August, NFL teams transform into ruthless corporate overlords, tossing aside players like yesterday’s fantasy football picks. But this year feels different—more brutal, if you will. We’re talking about legitimate starters, former first-round investments, and players who were supposed to be building blocks getting shown the door faster than you can say “salary cap hell.”

The harsh reality is that even household names aren’t safe when teams start crunching numbers and making those cold, calculated decisions that make your heart hurt just a little bit. So buckle up, because we’re about to dive into seven NFL players who might be packing their lockers sooner than expected.

Brian Robinson Jr. Could Be Washington’s Latest Mistake

Remember when Brian Robinson Jr. got shot and still came back to dominate? Yeah, well, apparently the Washington Commanders don’t care about that inspiring comeback story anymore. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, they’re shopping Robinson around like a clearance item at a going-out-of-business sale.

This is the same guy who seized control of Washington’s backfield after literally surviving a shooting as a rookie. Since then, he’s racked up 2,329 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Sure, he’s never hit 800 yards in a single season, but the man’s been consistent as your grandmother’s Sunday dinner.

The problem? He’s apparently fallen behind Austin Ekeler and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt on the depth chart. Let that sink in for a moment—a proven veteran getting leapfrogged by a seventh-rounder with a hyphenated last name. This is peak NFL logic right here, folks.

With roster cuts looming, it seems like no team wants to trade actual assets for Robinson when they know he might just get released anyway. Smart business? Maybe. Cold-hearted? Absolutely.

Romeo Doubs Falls Out of Favor in Green Bay

Here’s a fun fact that’ll make your brain hurt: Romeo Doubs has been Green Bay‘s most productive receiver since 2022, yet somehow he’s become the odd man out in their receiving room. The Packers decided to use two of their first three draft picks on wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, essentially telling Doubs he’s yesterday’s news.

Doubs has never cracked 675 receiving yards in a season, which honestly isn’t terrible considering he’s been working with Aaron Rodgers’ occasional mood swings and Jordan Love’s growing pains. But last season’s clash with head coach Matt LaFleur that led to a suspension probably didn’t help his case much.

The Packers could save $3.4 million by cutting Doubs, which in today’s NFL is like finding money in your old jeans. Sometimes the business side of football makes you want to throw your foam finger in the trash and become a golf fan instead.

Robert Woods Running Out of Time in Pittsburgh

At 33, Robert Woods signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Pittsburgh, probably thinking he’d found a nice spot to wind down his career. Plot twist: it’s not going according to plan, and that’s putting it mildly.

Woods built his reputation as a reliable blocker and possession receiver, but those torn ACL demons from 2021 are still haunting him like a bad horror movie sequel. Three touchdowns in three years? That’s not exactly the production you want from a veteran presence.

The really brutal part? He’s fallen behind Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, and Scottie Miller on Pittsburgh’s depth chart. When you’re getting outshined by players most casual fans couldn’t pick out of a lineup, it might be time to update that LinkedIn profile.

Kendrick Bourne’s New England Nightmare

Kendrick Bourne’s Patriots tenure has been about as successful as trying to fold a fitted sheet—frustrating and ultimately pointless. After leading their receivers with 800 yards and five touchdowns in 2021, he’s been more invisible than John Cena doing his “You Can’t See Me” gesture.

Since that promising 2021 season, Bourne hasn’t cracked 435 receiving yards in any of the last three campaigns. That’s not development; that’s regression with a capital R. Now he’s on the wrong side of 30 in a receiver room that includes Stefon Diggs, and suddenly everyone’s wondering why he’s still around.

The Patriots have Javon Baker willing to play special teams and undrafted rookie Efton Chism III making noise in camp. When UDFAs are breathing down your neck, it’s usually time to start sweating bullets.

Diontae Johnson’s Reputation Precedes Him

Once considered one of the NFL’s rising receiver talents, Diontae Johnson has become the equivalent of that friend who keeps asking to crash on your couch—technically capable but comes with way too much baggage.

Since Pittsburgh traded him, Johnson’s been collecting teams like Pokémon cards—Carolina, Baltimore, Houston, and now Cleveland. The problem isn’t his ability; it’s apparently everything else. Reports suggest he’s developed a reputation as a locker room distraction, which in NFL terms is about as welcome as a skunk at a garden party.

His Cleveland experiment hit a rough patch when he dropped several passes in joint practices with Philadelphia and ran a route so poorly it led to a pick-six. When you’re making rookie mistakes as a veteran, teams start questioning whether you’re worth the headache.

The Browns recently added undrafted rookie Isaiah Bond, and honestly, cutting Johnson might be an addition by subtraction at this point.

Azeez Ojulari’s Philadelphia Problem

Despite signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the reigning Super Bowl champions, Azeez Ojulari might be learning that championships don’t guarantee job security. The former second-round pick showed flashes of brilliance with 22 sacks during his Giants tenure, but Philadelphia’s depth chart tells a different story.

Currently sitting fourth among edge rushers behind Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt, and Josh Uche, Ojulari is discovering that talent doesn’t always trump team chemistry and scheme fit. Sometimes you’re just the odd man out, regardless of your resume.

For a Super Bowl contender, keeping the best 53 players matters more than honoring contracts or past performances. It’s brutal, but that’s championship-level decision-making.

Cole Strange’s Strange Situation

Being a first-round pick usually buys you some job security, but Cole Strange is learning that draft pedigree only goes so far when new regimes take over. As one of the last holdovers from the Bill Belichick era, Strange represents the old guard in New England’s transformation.

Rookie Jared Wilson has already jumped Strange on the depth chart as the starting guard, which has to sting worse than watching your ex move on with someone better looking. Even with an obvious need at center after Garrett Bradbury’s injury, Ben Brown seems to have locked down the backup center role.

The Patriots already declined Strange’s fifth-year option, which is NFL speak for “we’re not that into you.” When a first-round pick can’t find a role in year four, it’s usually time to start exploring other career options.