It’s that time of year again in the NFL—roster cutdown week, the annual flurry of transactions that leaves hundreds of hopefuls in limbo and sets the stage for the upcoming season. The Denver Broncos, like every other franchise across the league, faced tough decisions as they trimmed their roster from 90 players down to the league-mandated 53 by Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET. Among the notable moves, the Broncos waived offensive lineman Marques Cox, a rookie undrafted free agent with a compelling college pedigree and plenty of determination.
Marques Cox’s story is one that resonates with many fans and aspiring players alike. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing in at 305 pounds, Cox spent six seasons honing his craft in college football, first at Northern Illinois for four years, then finishing his collegiate career with two seasons at Kentucky. Despite his experience and size, he went undrafted earlier this year, eventually catching on with the Broncos as a free agent. His journey underscores just how tough it is to secure a spot in the NFL, even for seasoned college veterans.
According to Mike Klis of 9News, "The Denver Broncos have waived offensive lineman Marques Cox." This move, though disappointing for Cox, is hardly the end of the road. In fact, it’s a crossroads familiar to many young NFL hopefuls at this time of year. As teams across the league make their final cuts, a staggering 1,182 players are being waived—37 from each of the 32 franchises—as they work feverishly to comply with the 53-man roster limit. For many, the next step is the NFL’s waiver wire, a 20-hour window where teams can claim players who have less than four accrued seasons. If unclaimed, these players become unrestricted free agents and can sign with any team, often landing on a practice squad.
For Cox, the practice squad is a very real possibility. As Mike Klis observed, “Cox will likely need to prove himself on a team’s practice squad as a rookie after being waived.” That’s not just speculation; it’s the reality for many undrafted free agents and young players who show promise but aren’t quite ready for a spot on the active roster. The practice squad, which can hold up to 16 players (or 17 if a team has a player from the International Pathway Program), is a vital developmental ground—one that has launched many a successful NFL career.
This year’s roster cutdown has been particularly intense, with teams making last-minute evaluations, weighing potential against experience, and considering both immediate needs and long-term development. The Broncos, like their peers, had to make some tough calls. Cox’s release is emblematic of the broader churn happening league-wide, as hundreds of players wait to see if their NFL dreams will continue, at least for another season.
Across the league, the list of players released is long and includes a mix of veterans, rookies, and everything in between. Some, like wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi and quarterback Ben DiNucci, have seen NFL action before. Others, like Cox, are just beginning their professional journeys. The NFL’s rules stipulate that players with fewer than four accrued seasons must clear waivers before becoming free agents, while those with more experience can sign with any team immediately. The result is a dramatic, fast-paced period of uncertainty and opportunity, as teams scramble to fill out their practice squads and address last-minute roster gaps.
For the Broncos, the decision to waive Cox likely came down to a numbers game and the need to balance depth across the offensive line. Cox’s college experience—four years at Northern Illinois and two at Kentucky—gave him a solid foundation, but the transition to the NFL is notoriously challenging. The Broncos’ coaching staff undoubtedly saw potential in Cox, bringing him in as an undrafted free agent earlier this year. However, with limited roster spots and fierce competition, even experienced college players can find themselves on the outside looking in.
Still, Cox’s size and experience make him an intriguing candidate for a practice squad role, either in Denver or elsewhere. Teams across the league are always on the lookout for young, moldable linemen who can develop into reliable contributors. The practice squad offers a chance to continue learning the playbook, working with coaches, and adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game. For many players, it’s a stepping stone rather than a setback.
The broader context of this week’s roster moves can’t be ignored. With the start of the 2025 NFL season less than two weeks away, every team is fine-tuning its lineup, hoping to strike the right balance between proven talent and untapped potential. The Broncos’ roster decisions, including the release of Cox, reflect both immediate needs and the organization’s long-term vision. As teams finalize their 53-man rosters and practice squads, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see which young players will seize the opportunity and which veterans might find new homes.
For Cox, and for the hundreds of others waived this week, the coming days will be critical. NFL teams have until noon ET on Wednesday, August 27, to make claims on players who have passed through waivers. Those not claimed will be free to sign with any team, and the scramble to fill out practice squads will begin in earnest. For undrafted rookies like Cox, this is a pivotal moment—a chance to prove themselves, to learn, and to fight for another shot at the active roster.
The NFL’s annual roster cutdown is a harsh but necessary ritual, one that underscores the league’s relentless competitiveness and the razor-thin margins that separate those who make it from those who don’t. For fans, it’s a reminder of the human side of the sport—the dreams, the disappointments, and the hope that comes with every new season. For Marques Cox, the journey isn’t over. Whether he lands on a practice squad in Denver or elsewhere, his story is still being written.
As the dust settles and teams prepare for opening week, all eyes will be on the new faces who made the cut—and those, like Cox, who are determined to keep their NFL dreams alive, no matter the odds. The next chapter starts now.
