If you follow NFL transactions, you have probably heard terms like waived, claimed off waivers, waiver priority, and cleared waivers. But what do these terms actually mean? This guide provides NFL Waivers Explained in simple language and breaks down how the waiver system works, how teams claim players, and what happens when a player is not claimed.
What Are NFL Waivers?
NFL waivers are a system that gives other teams an opportunity to claim a player after his contract is terminated under circumstances that require the player to go through waivers.
When a player is placed on waivers, NFL teams have a specific period in which they can submit a claim. If multiple teams want the player, the team with the highest waiver priority receives him. If no team makes a successful claim, the player generally becomes a free agent.
The waiver system helps maintain competitive balance by giving teams an organized opportunity to acquire players who become available.
How Does the NFL Waiver Process Work?
The process can be explained in a few simple steps:
1. A Player Is Waived
A team decides to terminate a player's contract in a situation where the player is subject to waivers. The player is then placed on the waiver wire.
2. Other Teams Can Submit Claims
Other NFL teams can submit a claim for the player during the applicable claiming period. Teams do not simply sign the player immediately because the waiver process must first be completed.
3. Waiver Priority Determines the Winner
If several teams claim the same player, the team with the highest waiver priority gets the player.
The waiver order can change depending on the point in the NFL season. According to NFL rules, after the third regular-season game, waiver priority is based on the current league standings, with the lower-ranked team receiving higher priority. For the 2026 season, the NFL states that this change begins on September 29.
4. The Player Is Awarded or Clears Waivers
If a team successfully claims the player, his contract is assigned to that team.
If no team claims him during the waiver period, he clears waivers and can generally become a free agent.
What Is Waiver Priority?
Waiver priority determines which team gets a player when multiple teams submit claims.
The basic principle is designed to help teams with poorer records receive earlier access to available players.
During the early part of the season, the waiver order follows the applicable league rules. After the third regular-season weekend, the order is based on current standings. Ties can be broken using factors such as strength of schedule, strength of victory, point differential and, if necessary, a random drawing.
This means a struggling team can have an important advantage when a talented player becomes available.
Waived vs. Released: What Is the Difference?
The terms waived and released are often used interchangeably by casual NFL fans, but they can have different meanings.
A player who is released and is not subject to waivers can immediately negotiate with other teams. A player who is waived must first go through the waiver process before becoming a free agent.
The NFL explains that players with fewer than four credited seasons are subject to waivers when released. Players with four or more credited seasons generally have different waiver treatment during the period from the day after the Super Bowl through the trade deadline.
What Happens If a Player Clears Waivers?
If no NFL team submits a successful claim, the player clears waivers.
Once cleared, the player can generally become a free agent and choose which team he wants to negotiate with, subject to the applicable league rules.
This can be particularly important after roster cuts. Teams may release several players while building their final roster, and some players who are not claimed can later sign with another organization or return to their original team.
For example, NFL transaction records regularly show players being listed as waived and later having their contracts terminated after the waiver process.
Why Do NFL Teams Use Waivers?
Teams use waivers for several reasons:
- Roster management: Teams need to create space for other players.
- Salary and contract decisions: A team may need to make difficult roster decisions.
- Injury situations: Injured players can sometimes be subject to specific waiver procedures.
- Performance: A player may no longer fit the team's plans.
- Roster cuts: Teams must reduce their roster during the preseason and before the regular season.
- Opportunity for other teams: Waivers allow other organizations to claim available players.
The waiver system therefore plays an important role in how NFL rosters change throughout the year.
NFL Waivers During Roster Cuts
Waivers become especially important when NFL teams make their final roster reductions.
During the 2026 season, the NFL's important dates included a waiver claiming deadline following the final roster reduction on August 31. After the waiver process, teams could establish their practice squads under the applicable rules.
This period can create significant movement across the league because dozens of players may become available around the same time.
Some players are claimed immediately, while others clear waivers and become free agents.
Can the Original Team Get a Waived Player Back?
Sometimes a player who clears waivers can return to his previous team, depending on the circumstances and applicable roster rules.
However, if another team successfully claims the player, the original team does not simply get to choose whether it wants to keep him. The waiver claim transfers the player's contract rights according to NFL rules.
This is why teams must carefully consider roster decisions before placing a player on waivers.
What Is the Difference Between Waivers and Free Agency?
The easiest way to understand the difference is:
Waivers: Other teams have an opportunity to claim the player before he becomes a free agent.
Free agency: The player is generally free to negotiate with teams without going through the waiver-claim process.
The NFL also has different categories of free agents. For example, an unrestricted free agent generally has four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract, while restricted free agents have different rights and qualifying-offer rules.
Why Are NFL Waivers Important for Fans?
NFL waivers can significantly change a team's roster.
A player who was recently released by one team could become an important contributor somewhere else. Teams with injuries or weaknesses at specific positions can use the waiver system to add depth without waiting for a traditional free-agent signing.
For fans, following waiver transactions is a great way to understand how teams build their rosters throughout the season.
NFL Waivers and Player Evaluation
Waiver decisions are part of the larger process of evaluating NFL talent. Teams constantly assess players based on performance, athletic ability, position needs, roster fit, and potential. Fans interested in how prospects are evaluated before entering the league can also explore NFL Combine Explained.
Final Thoughts on NFL Waivers
Understanding the waiver system makes NFL roster news much easier to follow. When a player is waived, it does not necessarily mean he has immediately become a free agent. Other teams may have an opportunity to claim him, and waiver priority determines which team receives him when multiple teams make claims.
From preseason roster cuts to regular-season transactions, waivers remain an important part of NFL roster management.
If you want to follow the latest NFL transactions, roster moves, player news and football updates, keep checking Sports LNV for more NFL coverage.