What is the waiver system in the NFL?

The waiver system in the NFL is designed to manage the process of player transactions involving cut players. When a player is released by a team, that player goes on waivers, meaning they are offered to the other teams in the league before becoming a free agent. Teams are given the opportunity to claim these players based on their current standing in the league's reverse order of rankings, which typically means teams with worse records get the first opportunity to claim a player.

This system helps to balance the competitive nature of the league by allowing teams that may be struggling more chances to improve their rosters with players that have been cut from other teams. If multiple teams place a claim on the same player, the team with the highest priority (typically the one with the worst record) receives the player. This structure ensures a fair and orderly process of player transactions and significantly impacts team rosters as the season progresses.

Other options do not accurately represent the waiver system's purpose. The method for trading players involves a different set of rules, largely focused on negotiated agreements between teams, while managing player salaries and signing free agents involve distinct processes that do not relate to the waiver mechanism directly.