The NFL has grown in scope with every passing season. It only makes sense the rosters would grow with the game.
The league has increased the offseason roster limit from 80 to 90 players, effective 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. The NFL's Management Council voted on the move Monday, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello.
A few notes:
• The 90-man roster will include active, inactive, practice-squad, exempt and reserve-list players. It also will house unsigned draft choices and franchise free agents, per Aiello.
• The NFL announced that the first roster cutdown deadline, from 90 to 75 players, is set for the third week of preseason games.
• Not a surprise, but only the 51 highest-paid players count toward the salary cap, The Associated Press confirmed Monday.
What it means is that an additional 320 players have a chance to impress a coaching staff between Tuesday and late August. Considering the number of contributors and -- in some cases -- stars that emerged on the NFL landscape through unorthodox channels, it's a positive development for under-the-radar types -- and the fans.
