NFL teams keep four quarterbacks on final 53-man rosters

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 2:27 PM

Last updated Aug 31, 2026

NFL teams keep four quarterbacks on final 53-man rosters
Summary

Four NFL teams finalized their 53-man rosters by carrying four quarterbacks into the start of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles opted for this strategy, departing from the standard practice of keeping two or three players at the position. While some teams used injuries as a roster management tool, such as the Cleveland Browns placing Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve, others retained extra signal-callers to explore developmental depth. Personnel like Jack Strand in Atlanta and Cole Payton in Philadelphia are expected to fill specialized roles on sneaks or special teams. Teams argue that the opportunity cost of releasing a depth linebacker or reserve player is minimal compared to the long-term potential of cultivating an additional quarterback. This roster approach suggests a potential shift in how franchises value depth at the sport's most critical position.

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Market Watch
  • Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Minnesota, and Philadelphia kept four quarterbacks on their 53-man rosters.
  • The Browns placed Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve instead of releasing a fourth quarterback.
  • Atlanta plans to use Jack Strand for quarterback sneaks and gadget plays.
  • Philadelphia utilized Cole Payton in special teams roles during the preseason.
  • Teams can keep four quarterbacks because seven players are inactive on game days.
Latest Updates
  • 2:27 PMYahoo SportsNFL teams keeping four quarterbacks isn't a big deal, and here's why
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Four teams kept four quarterbacks in their final cutdown.

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