What is difference between being released and waived in NFL?

It's that time of the NFL season when franchises alter their rosters and make moves that could help them progress.

By now, you might have noticed that some of your franchise's favorite players have been released, while others have been waived. So it begs the question: what's the difference between being released and waived?

Let's start with the act of waiving a player. When an NFL player is waived, it means that their contract is yet to be terminated, but instead, such a player is placed on a 'waiver wire" that allows them available to be 'claimed' by other franchises.

If another franchise claims the player, he joins that franchise with the same conditions as his current contract. Meanwhile, if no franchise claims him in a certain period, usually by midday the following day, his existing contract is terminated, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

'Waiving' an injured player basically informs the NFL about that player's injury. The player then goes through the 'waiver wire' above and undergoes one of two choices: a certain franchise puts in a claim for him, or no franchise claims him. He reverts to his original franchise's injury reserve list when he's not claimed. That franchise then chooses whether to 'maintain' him or 'release' him directly alongside an injury settlement.

Meanwhile, if a player is 'released', their NFL contract is terminated immediately, and they can sign with any franchise they want.

---

What is the NFL waiver wire?

The National Football League waiver wire is the system that allows all franchises to sign young prospects, or in other words, the time a player is placed on the waivers until they go unclaimed.

The waiver period runs from the first business day after the Super Bowl game through the end of the National Football League's regular season. The waiver system is based on priority (first come, first serve), so franchises have an ordered chance to claim a player or 'waive' them officially.

Every cut player must go through waivers with no exceptions when the trade deadline ends.

---

When does 2023 NFL season start?

The opening preseason game of the 2023 National Football League season is the annual Hall of Fame Game on Friday, August 4, 2023. This game will be between the Sauce Gardner-led New York Jets and the Myles Garrett-led Cleveland Browns.

Iconic Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and New York Jets legends Darrelle Revis and Joe Klecko are among the nine inductees headed into the Professional Football Hall of Fame this year.

The true 2023 National Football League regular season opener is Thursday, September 7, 2023. Traditionally, the Super Bowl winners host the opening game, so you can expect the game to take place at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The 2023-2024 season will take place over five months and will conclude on February 11, 2024, with Super Bowl LVIII, which will take place at the Allegiant Stadium, Nevada.