3 surprising NY Jets roster decisions made on cut day

The NY Jets revealed their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, and as expected, there were a handful of surprises. It's important to note that the initial roster the Jets release is not the one the team will enter Week 1 with.

Just take Nick Bawden and Thomas Morstead, for example. Both players were released as part of procedural moves and are expected to be re-signed in the near future once others are placed on the injured reserve.

For a detailed explanation of these so-called "roster gymnastics," check out this helpful thread below.

Procedural moves aside, which Jets roster transactions were the most surprising? Let's take a closer look at a few.

1. Seven wide receivers make the NY Jets roster

Easily the most surprising takeaway from the Jets' roster reveal was the team's decision to carry seven wide receivers on their active roster. This includes roster locks such as Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Mecole Hardman, but it also includes Jason Brownlee, Xavier Gipson, and Irvin Charles.

Brownlee and Gipson are both undrafted rookies who flashed this summer. Gipson is the least surprising inclusion, while Brownlee likely benefitted from Corey Davis' surprise retirement.

Charles is the wild card here. The former Penn State recruit turned Indiana (PA) transfer was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent last season, and he went on to spend his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

Don't be surprised if the Jets make a move here in the coming days, perhaps as soon as tomorrow's waiver-wire deadline. For now, however, there are seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster, including three who have never taken a snap in the NFL.

2. The NY Jets cut rookie safety Trey Dean

Trey Dean was one of the most notable undrafted rookies the Jets signed this spring, and many hoped to see the former five-star recruit earn a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Unfortunately, he didn't make the cut.

The Jets waived Dean with the hope that he can be re-signed to the team's practice squad, but he'll first be subject to waivers. Instead, the Jets opted to keep veteran special-teams standout Ashtyn Davis.

Davis played well this preseason and might've saved his job with a couple of impressive performances. He's also a favorite of special-teams coordinator Brant Boyer.

Still, it would have been nice for the Jets to find a spot for Dean on the 53-man roster. Here's to hoping this isn't a Jason Pinnock 2.0 situation.

RELATED: NY Jets 53-Man Roster Cut Tracker 2023: Live updates and analysis

3. The NY Jets only carry two quarterbacks

The NFL's new emergency quarterback rule allows teams to dress a third QB on game days without counting toward the active player limit of 47. However, said emergency QB must be on the 53-man roster.

That's why many teams around the NFL are opting to carry three quarterbacks this season. The Jets are not one of them, as Tim Boyle was released as part of final roster cuts.

Boyle will likely re-join the Jets' practice squad, but it's at least mildly surprising that the team opted not to take advantage of this new rule. They clearly valued retaining a player at a different position, perhaps someone like linebacker Chazz Surratt, who made the 53.

Boyle will remain with the Jets in some capacity, but it is a slight surprise that he won't be on the active roster — at least for now.