With the NFL’s cutdown to 53 players complete, the 2026 NFL waiver wire order now decides which team gets first crack at the hundreds of players who were released. The initial claim deadline was Monday, August 31 at 1 p.m. ET, and the priority order below runs from the team with the first claim to the last. Bookmark this page – we’re tracking notable claims as they’re awarded.
2026 NFL Waiver Priority Order (All 32 Teams)
Through the first three weeks of the season, waiver priority mirrors the 2026 NFL Draft order (based on last season’s final standings, including the playoffs). The lower a team finished, the higher its claim priority.
| Priority | Team | Priority | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Raiders | 17 | Detroit Lions |
| 2 | New York Jets | 18 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals | 19 | Carolina Panthers |
| 4 | Tennessee Titans | 20 | Green Bay Packers |
| 5 | New York Giants | 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 6 | Cleveland Browns | 22 | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 7 | Washington Commanders | 23 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 8 | New Orleans Saints | 24 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 25 | Chicago Bears |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 26 | Buffalo Bills |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 27 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | 28 | Houston Texans |
| 13 | Atlanta Falcons | 29 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | 30 | Denver Broncos |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 31 | New England Patriots |
| 16 | Indianapolis Colts | 32 | Seattle Seahawks |
How NFL Waivers Work
When a player is released, whether he hits waivers or becomes a free agent depends on his experience:
- Fewer than four accrued seasons: the player is subject to waivers. Any team can put in a claim, and the player is awarded to the team with the highest waiver priority.
- Four or more accrued seasons (vested veterans): the player is not subject to waivers and becomes an unrestricted free agent who can sign anywhere immediately.
- Claiming a player: the claiming team assumes the player’s existing contract. If no one claims him, a waived player clears waivers and becomes a free agent.
When the Waiver Order Changes
This draft-based order holds only through the first three weeks of the 2026 regular season. After Week 3, waiver priority resets to reflect the current overall league standings in reverse, so the order changes week to week for the rest of the year. That’s why the biggest cutdown claims almost always go to last season’s weakest teams.
Notable Waiver Claims (Updating)
Claims from the initial cutdown are being processed and announced. We’re adding the most notable ones here as teams confirm them. For the players who were let go, see our 2026 NFL Notable Roster Cuts tracker, and for who lands where next, our 2026 NFL Practice Squad Tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 NFL waiver order based on?
For the first three weeks of the season, the waiver order matches the 2026 NFL Draft order, which is set by the 2025 final standings including playoff results. The Raiders hold the No. 1 claim to open 2026.
When does the waiver order change?
After Week 3, the order switches to reverse order of the current overall standings and updates weekly for the rest of the season.
Which players clear waivers?
Players with four or more accrued seasons are not subject to waivers and become free agents. Players with fewer than four accrued seasons must pass through waivers and can be claimed in priority order.
Waiver order confirmed from the 2026 NFL Draft order. This tracker is updated as claims are awarded and, after Week 3, as the order shifts to reverse standings.
