What Does Waived Mean in NFL?

Have you ever heard an NFL commentator announce that a player has been “waived” and wondered what it really means? Is it the same as being released? Does it end a player’s career, or can they continue elsewhere? These are common questions among both new and seasoned fans of the league.

The NFL’s system for player movement is full of specific terms, and understanding them can make the game even more fascinating. One of the most important of these terms is “waived,” and knowing how the waiver process works provides valuable insight into roster management, team strategy, and even player career paths.

What Does It Mean When a Player Is Waived in the NFL?

When an NFL player is waived, it means their team has decided to part ways with them, but instead of immediately becoming a free agent, the player is placed on what is called the “waiver wire.”

This essentially makes the player’s contract available for other NFL teams to claim within a set period, usually 24 hours. If another team decides to put in a claim, they take on the player’s existing contract, including any salaries and terms associated with it.

The waiver system is designed primarily for players who have accumulated fewer than four accrued seasons in the NFL. These players are still considered relatively inexperienced and do not have the same contractual protections as seasoned veterans. If no team places a claim during the waiver period, the player “clears waivers” and becomes a free agent, free to negotiate and sign with any team of their choice.

This system ensures fairness and competitive balance, preventing stronger teams from having unrestricted access to young talent. For example, a third-year wide receiver might be waived after preseason roster cuts. If a struggling team wants to claim him, they will have priority over a playoff contender, giving them the first chance to strengthen their roster.

How Does the NFL Waiver Process Work?

The waiver process may sound complicated, but it follows a straightforward structure. Once a team decides to part ways with a player who has fewer than four accrued seasons, the process begins.

The player’s name is added to the waiver wire, which is essentially an official list that all teams can access. From the moment the player is waived, other teams have 24 hours to decide whether they want to claim him. If more than one team is interested, the decision is made based on waiver priority.

At the start of the season, this priority is determined by the previous year’s draft order, meaning the team with the worst record gets the first opportunity. As the season progresses, waiver priority is updated weekly based on the current standings, ensuring that teams struggling the most still have the advantage.

If a team successfully claims the player, they assume responsibility for his existing contract. This means they take on not only the salary but also any remaining terms such as bonuses or incentives. If no team places a claim, the player clears waivers and becomes an unrestricted free agent. At that point, he can choose his next destination, which can sometimes be more beneficial for the player than being claimed by a team with less favourable circumstances.

What Is the Difference Between Waived and Released in the NFL?

Although the terms “waived” and “released” are often used casually and sometimes interchangeably by fans and media, they mean very different things in the NFL. The difference lies in a player’s level of experience.

Players with fewer than four accrued seasons are subject to the waiver process when they are let go, meaning they must pass through the waiver wire before becoming free agents. This group is said to be “waived.” In contrast, players who have four or more accrued seasons, often referred to as “vested veterans,” bypass the waiver system entirely. When these players are let go, they are “released” and immediately become free agents.

This distinction can have a major impact on a player’s career. A second-year defensive back who is waived has to wait to see if another team claims him, whereas a ten-year veteran quarterback who is released is free to negotiate with any team immediately. In many cases, this difference gives experienced players far more control over the next step in their careers.

What Does Waived/Injured Mean in the NFL?

There is also a specific designation known as waived/injured. This applies when a player with fewer than four accrued seasons is injured at the time they are let go. In this situation, the team waives the player with the injured label, and the standard waiver process applies. If another team claims the player, they take on both the player and his injury status.

If the player goes unclaimed, however, he automatically reverts to the injured reserve list of his original team. This means that while he will not count towards the active roster, the team still retains his rights. This system prevents teams from losing young, injured players they might still want to develop once they recover.

For example, a rookie wide receiver suffering from a shoulder injury might be waived/injured during preseason roster cuts. If no other team claims him, he moves to his team’s injured reserve list, allowing them to keep him while he recovers.

How Does the Waiver Claim Order Work?

The waiver claim order plays a central role in determining which teams acquire players who have been waived. At the start of each regular season, the order is determined by the draft order, which itself is based on the standings from the previous year. This means the team with the worst record from the previous season has the highest priority, while the Super Bowl champion has the lowest.

Once the season begins, however, the waiver order is updated weekly to reflect current team performance. A team that is struggling midway through the season might therefore move up in the waiver priority, giving it the chance to claim valuable players who are unexpectedly waived by other clubs.

This priority system is one of the ways the NFL maintains parity, ensuring that weaker teams always have the first opportunity to add depth and talent to their rosters.

What Happens If a Player Clears Waivers?

When a player clears waivers, it means that no team has submitted a claim within the 24-hour period. At this point, the player officially becomes a free agent and can sign with any team of his choosing. This often works in favour of players, particularly those who prefer to join a competitive team or one where they see a better opportunity for playing time.

Clearing waivers also allows the player’s original team to re-sign him, often to the practice squad. This is common during preseason when teams make large roster cuts but still want to keep certain players within their system for development.

For instance, a young offensive lineman might be waived during roster reductions, clear waivers, and then be signed back to his team’s practice squad to continue learning and developing without occupying a spot on the 53-man roster.

Why Is the Waiver System Important in the NFL?

The waiver system is far more than just a technical rule; it plays an essential role in how the NFL functions. Without waivers, strong teams could easily hoard young players, leaving struggling teams with little chance to improve. By giving weaker teams priority on waiver claims, the system ensures a level of fairness and competitive balance.

For teams, waivers are an important tool in roster management. They allow clubs to make tough decisions during preseason roster cuts, manage injured players with the waived/injured designation, and transition players between the active roster and the practice squad. For players, waivers can sometimes be frustrating, but they can also be an opportunity to find a better fit and continue their careers in a new environment.

Who Are Some Famous NFL Players Who Were Waived?

Being waived is not always a sign of failure. Many well-known players began their careers with waiver designations before going on to achieve success.

Arian Foster, for example, went undrafted and was waived before later becoming one of the most dominant running backs in the league with the Houston Texans. Rod Smith was waived before emerging as a Pro Bowl wide receiver with the Denver Broncos. Even quarterbacks like Josh McCown, who was waived multiple times, managed to carve out long and respected careers as reliable veterans.

These stories illustrate that being waived is not necessarily the end of a player’s NFL journey. Instead, it can be the start of a new chapter, sometimes even one that leads to stardom.

Table: Waived vs Released in the NFL

Criteria	Waived	Released
Eligibility	Fewer than 4 accrued seasons	4 or more accrued seasons
Subject to Waiver Wire	Yes	No
Free Agency	Only after clearing waivers	Immediately available
Contract Responsibility	New team assumes existing contract	Player negotiates new deal

Conclusion

So, what does waived mean in the NFL? It is the process where younger players with fewer than four accrued seasons are removed from a team and placed on the waiver wire, giving other clubs the chance to claim them before they can become free agents. This system plays a vital role in maintaining competitive balance, managing rosters, and shaping player careers.

While being waived might sound like bad news, it is often just another part of the journey. Some of the NFL’s most successful players have experienced it and gone on to thrive elsewhere.

For fans, understanding the waiver system adds another layer of insight into the sport, helping explain the constant movement and strategy that makes the NFL such a dynamic and compelling league.

FAQs About NFL Waivers

Why does the NFL use a waiver system?

The waiver system ensures fairness by allowing weaker teams to claim available players before stronger teams.

What is the difference between waived and released?

Waived players are those with fewer than four accrued seasons who must go through the waiver process, while released players are veterans who instantly become free agents.

How long is the waiver period?

The waiver period typically lasts 24 hours, after which the player is either claimed by a new team or cleared to become a free agent.

What happens if more than one team claims the same player?

The team with the higher waiver priority, determined by record or draft order, is awarded the player.

Can players be waived while injured?

Yes, through the waived/injured designation. If unclaimed, they revert to their original team’s injured reserve list.

Do waived players still get paid?

That depends on their contract. Players with guaranteed money continue to receive their salary even if waived.

Can waived players rejoin their original teams?

Yes. Once they clear waivers, teams can re-sign them, often placing them on the practice squad for development.