---
slug: waivers
title: Waivers
depth_tier: entry
side: UNIVERSAL
category: Financials
source_id: "DFT-0100"
created: 2026-04-19
updated: 2026-04-19
canonical: https://learningfootball.xyz/terms/waivers
aliases:
  - waiver wire
  - waiver claim
  - waivers wire
  - clear waivers
---
# Waivers

## Short Definition

The claiming process for players released from other rosters—teams submit claims in reverse standings order, and unclaimed players become free agents.

## Definition

Waivers is the process through which NFL teams can acquire players released from other rosters. When a team releases a player—cutting him to get under the salary cap, create a roster spot, or acknowledge he has not earned a spot—that player is placed on the waiver wire for a specified period, typically 24 hours during the regular season.

During the waiver window, any of the 32 teams can submit a claim for the player. Claims are awarded in reverse order of standings—the team with the worst record has the highest waiver priority and first claim on any player. If multiple teams claim the same player, the lowest-ranked team in the standings receives him. If no team claims the player, he clears waivers and becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Waivers are most active during the preseason roster cutdown period, when teams trim from 90 players to the 53-man roster and hundreds of players cycle through the waiver wire simultaneously. Teams actively manage their waiver priority to ensure they can claim specific players during this period. After Week 4 of the regular season, veteran players with four or more accrued seasons are not subject to the same waiver rules and can be released directly to free agency.

## Example

"He clears waivers unclaimed—nobody wanted to take on his contract. Now he's a free agent and can sign wherever he wants. That changes his market entirely compared to being claimed."

## Common Confusion

Clearing waivers and being released are not the same outcome. A player who is released is placed on waivers first—all 32 teams have a window to claim him before he reaches free agency. If claimed, he joins the claiming team, not the open market. Only if no team claims him does he clear waivers and become a free agent able to sign anywhere.

## Related

- 53-man-roster
- practice-squad
- undrafted-free-agent
- priority-udfa
- roster-construction
- veteran

---
Source: https://learningfootball.xyz/terms/waivers