Let Go and Cut From Our Lives

On Sunday at 6 PM (EST), NFL teams were required to declare their 53-man roster to start the season. That means GMs and coaches had to go through the tough process of determining which players should remain and which should be cut. Over 1,100 players were told they didn’t make the active roster.

Many teams had players who very clearly didn’t belong on a regular-season roster, and those players were immediately let go. Coaches knew they would hold the team back if they stuck around any longer. 

Across the league, players fought hard all summer to make the team, and I imagine certain guys were very difficult to say goodbye to. Still, ultimately, the team decided which players needed to be released. They concluded they wouldn’t improve the team.

Here are three noteworthy players that teams moved on from:

• Will Levis, 2023 second-round pick, Titans QB  

• Justin Joly, fifth-round rookie, selected by the Broncos in the 2026 Draft

• Evan Neal, former No. 7 overall draft pick from the 2022 Draft, Giants offensive lineman

Coaches look at their teams and identify which players they need to get rid of and which ones it’s time to part ways with. Oftentimes, players have been with a team for a while, only to be relieved of their duties.

GMs examine each position on the team, and it becomes clear which player they have to move on from and cut ties with. They also prioritize some positions over others, freeing the team from players they don't need and allowing them to focus on the best.

The fact is that removing certain players means they are choosing others and strategically embracing the ones they believe will maximize their season. They make it clear which types of players they want to keep and which ones they want to let go.

As we begin another season of life this fall, I encourage us to go through our own “roster cut-down” process and determine who and what we want to be “active,” and who/what needs to be released.

In other words, as followers of Jesus, we need to embrace the pruning and refining that are necessary in our lives.

What needs to be “let go”? In what ways do we need to let go of the past? What mindsets and behaviors are holding us back and need to be removed?

We must “cut” any thoughts, distractions, or behaviors in our lives that are holding us back and “release” certain emotions or responses to prevent us from acting the wrong way. 

For some of us, it’s time to part ways with the bitterness and anger we’ve been hanging onto far too long.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) tells us: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

When it comes to relationships, it’s hard to say goodbye to certain people, but they may be negatively affecting us, and we need to part ways with them, so to speak.

We need to remove any toxic people from our inner circle so we can choose others for our “roster” and strategically embrace the ones we believe will maximize our season.

As we evaluate all areas or “roster positions,” what isn't helping us improve our lives and is a waste of time? What do we need to prioritize instead?

In what ways do we need to move on from worry, cut ties with stress, and part ways with fear? For many, we must get rid of the idols in our lives and move on from anything that has replaced God as our greatest passion.

Thankfully, because of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, we're able to make these tough “roster cuts” by aligning our lives with Him and following His path. As we seek Him, we can ask Him to enable us to let go of any sin that's holding us back and weighing us down.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

Today, as we consider how franchises make tough roster decisions, let's evaluate anything in our lives that needs to be “relieved of their duties,” examine what doesn’t belong as we follow Jesus, and determine what/who needs to remain.

It’s difficult to tell sin, fear, anger, bitterness, and worry that they are being “let go,” but we’ll experience freedom as God renews our minds and transforms our hearts while we focus on Jesus and what He says is best.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray You help me identify anything in my life that's holding me back from thriving and living the life You’ve called me to. Please give me the strength to let go of fear, worry, and bitterness and replace them with joy, peace, and hope. Thank you for Your grace and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.