What Does It Mean to Be Waived in the NFL?

Wondering what does it mean to be waived in the NFL? Learn how NFL waivers work, waiver claims, and what happens when a player gets waived.

If you follow American football, you’ve likely heard the term “waived” used when a player is released from a team. But what does it actually mean to be waived in the NFL? For fans and aspiring athletes, understanding the waiver system is crucial, as it determines how players move between teams and what opportunities they may get next. In this guide, we’ll break down the NFL waiver process in simple terms, making it easy to understand even if you’re new to football.

What Does It Mean to Be Waived in the NFL?

When an NFL team decides to release a player before their contract ends, the player is placed on waivers. This means other NFL teams have a chance to claim that player within a specific timeframe, typically 24 hours.

If a team claims the player, they take over the existing contract. If no team makes a claim, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team of their choice.

Waived vs. Released: What’s the Difference?

The terms “waived” and “released” are often confused, but they aren’t the same.

Waived: Applies to players with fewer than four years of service. They must go through the waiver process.
Released: Applies to veterans with four or more years of service. They immediately become free agents.

This distinction ensures fairness, giving younger players a chance to be picked up by other teams before becoming free agents.

The NFL Waiver Process Explained

The waiver process in the NFL follows a structured order:

Waiver Wire Order
- Teams are ranked based on performance, with the worst record getting the first chance to claim players.
- This order resets weekly during the season.
Claim Period
- Teams have 24 hours to place a claim on a waived player.
- If multiple teams make claims, the one with the highest waiver priority gets the player.
Unclaimed Players
- If no team claims the player within the window, they become an unrestricted free agent.

For more details, you can check the official NFL Operations guide.

Why Do Teams Waive Players?

Teams waive players for different reasons, including:

Roster space – Making room for new draft picks or signings.
Performance issues – When a player doesn’t meet team expectations.
Injuries – Players may be waived if they cannot play for an extended period.
Salary cap management – Teams sometimes waive players to reduce payroll costs.

Famous Examples of NFL Players Who Were Waived

Many NFL stars have been waived at some point in their careers. For example:

James Harrison – Waived multiple times before becoming a Super Bowl champion with the Steelers.
Kurt Warner – Waived early in his career, but later became a Hall of Famer.
Josh Rosen – A former first-round pick who experienced multiple waivers in just a few seasons.

These stories show that being waived doesn’t always mean the end of a player’s career—it can be a stepping stone to greater opportunities.

What Happens After a Player is Waived?

After being waived, a player’s options depend on whether they are claimed:

If Claimed: They join the new team immediately under their existing contract.
If Not Claimed: They become free agents and can sign with any team, potentially on more favorable terms.

This process can actually benefit players, giving them a fresh start with a new team or a chance to negotiate better deals.

Waivers and Fantasy Football

For NFL fans who play fantasy football, the waiver system is a familiar concept. Similar to the NFL, fantasy leagues use waivers to manage player claims and team balance. Popular platforms like ESPN Fantasy Football and NFL Fantasy mirror real-life waiver rules, giving fans hands-on experience with roster management.

Key Takeaways on NFL Waivers

Being waived means a player is available for other teams to claim within 24 hours.
Veterans are released, while younger players are waived.
The waiver wire order gives struggling teams a better chance to claim talent.
Being waived isn’t the end of a career—many great players were waived before becoming stars.

So, what does it mean to be waived in the NFL? Simply put, it’s a process that gives other teams a chance to pick up a player before they become a free agent. While being waived can feel like rejection, it often opens new doors for athletes to prove themselves elsewhere.

For fans, understanding waivers provides deeper insight into how teams build rosters and why some players suddenly switch teams. If you want to explore more about roster rules and player transactions, check out the official NFL Operations page.

Football is as much about strategy off the field as it is on it—and waivers are a big part of that game.