Rosen among cutdown day casualties
The theory that NFL teams would go with three quarterbacks to start the pandemic-impacted season took a hit Saturday.
Lots of third-stringers were sent packing as the 32 teams got down to the 53-man limit. The season opens Thursday night with Houston at Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
Perhaps most noteworthy was Miami releasing Josh Rosen, a first-round selection by Arizona in 2018 out of ULCA who was dealt to the Dolphins last year after the Cardinals took Kyler Murray with the top overall selection. Rosen was behind veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and first-rounder Tua Tagovailoa on the depth chart.
“The most important thing is to kind of move forward and not look back,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. “You don’t hit on every play, on every trade, on every draft pick. Show me a team that has hit on every one. I’ll applaud that team.”
Other quarterbacks released included: veteran Mike Glennon and Josh Dobbs of the Jaguars: David Blough of the Lions, who lost all five of his starts subbing for the injured Matthew Stafford in 2019; Paxton Lynch of the Steelers; Cooper Rush and Alex Tanney of the Giants; Kurt Benkert and Kyle Lauletta of the Falcons; Chad Kelly of the Colts; and David Fales and Mike White of the Jets, who said veteran Joe Flacco passed his physical after neck surgery.
Alex Smith made Washington’s 53-man roster, another significant step in his remarkable comeback 22 months since severely breaking his right leg and then having medical complications. Coach Ron Rivera said there’s no plan to put Smith on injured reserve in the coming days. Smith might even be Dwayne Haskins’ backup in the season opener Sept. 13 against Philadelphia.
Another heartwarming story: Star-crossed tight end Jake Butt made the Broncos after overcoming his sixth knee operation. In three seasons in Denver, the ex-michigan star has played in as many games (three) as he’s had major knee surgeries, each of which required a clean-up procedure.
Making the Giants was Mr. Irrelevant. Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder, the final player taken in April’s draft, is on the roster.
Also, Miami kept Malcolm Perry, a star QB at Navy and now a wideout.
CHARGERS STAR WR ALLEN GETS PAID >> Keenan Allen signed a four-year extension with the Chargers that will make him the league’s second-highest paid receiver in average money.
According to a source, the deal is worth $80.1 million with $50 million guaranteed. Allen is going into his eighth season and has made the Pro Bowl each of the past three seasons. He had 104 receptions last season, breaking his own franchise record for single-season catches. He tied for the AFC lead in catches and was second in yards (1,199).
TEXANS QB WATSON AGREES TO HUGE EXTENSION >> Deshaun Watson has agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension with Houston.
The deal makes Watson the second-highest paid quarterback in the league, behind Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year deal worth up to $503 million in July.
BILLS RE-UP CORNERBACK WHITE >> Buffalo locked up starting cornerback Tre’davious White through the 2025 season by signing him to a four-year, $70 million contract extension. Some $55 million of the deal is guaranteed.