NFL Cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen – Full Story, Stats, and What Comes Next

You followed the preseason buzz. You tracked the undrafted rookie signings. Then the notification hit: NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen. Two electric Montana State playmakers gone from active rosters on the same Wednesday morning. No final preseason rep, no last-chance sideline moment. Just a transaction line that flips a dream on its head. We break down why both athletes got released, what their college tape says, where they might land next, and how this cut could actually become a setup for a stronger shot.

Who Are Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen?

Tommy Mellott quarterbacked Montana State with a bruising, dual-threat style that rewrote the Bobcat record book. He rushed for over 2,900 yards and threw for more than 5,000 in his career while piling up 77 total touchdowns. His playoff performances turned heads nationally.

Junior Bergen carved his name as a return specialist and slot receiver. He racked up 2,300 receiving yards and left defenders grasping at air on punt returns, taking four back for touchdowns. Both signed as priority undrafted free agents after the 2026 NFL Draft. This NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen update marks a sudden pause for two of the FCS’s most visible talents.

The Cut Announcement: What Happened?

Team sources confirmed the NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen moves early Wednesday, July 22. The Denver Broncos waived quarterback Tommy Mellott after rookie minicamp and OTA evaluations. The New York Giants released wide receiver and returner Junior Bergen in a corresponding roster trim.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first flagged the Broncos’ decision. The Giants posted their transaction on the official NFL waiver wire minutes later. Both clubs needed to get to the 90-man limit before training camp fully opens. These NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen transactions represent the cold math that undrafted rookies face every summer.

Why NFL Teams Cut Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen

• Roster math forced tough choices. Each franchise carried a surplus at quarterback and receiver.
• The Broncos already had four quarterbacks with guaranteed money or draft investment.
• The Giants kept a veteran returner and a drafted rookie receiver, squeezing Bergen out.
• Neither player had the practice reps to climb the depth chart quickly enough.

Tommy Mellott’s Journey from Montana State to the NFL Cut

Mellott arrived in Denver with his signature downhill running ability and a compact throwing motion. Coaches praised his command of the huddle during rookie camp. But the jump from FCS defensive speed to NFL processing time showed on film. Denver’s quarterback room included a high draft pick and a veteran bridge option, leaving Mellott without a real pathway.

When the NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen news hit, Broncos beat writers noted Mellott’s arm strength met the baseline, but his 6-foot frame and elongated release created timing concerns in team drills. The franchise chose to keep only three quarterbacks through the first wave of camp.

Junior Bergen’s Path as a Return Specialist Hit a Wall

Junior Bergen walked into a Giants receiver room loaded with short-area quickness. He flashed burst on punt returns during OTAs, but New York already rostered a Pro Bowl returner and drafted a wideout with inside-outside flexibility. Bergen’s 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame made him a slot-only projection.

The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen transaction involving Bergen caught few Giants fans by surprise. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey reportedly wanted to keep him, but the numbers forced the move. Bergen becomes a free agent who can sign anywhere immediately.

Reaction from Fans and Analysts

Bobcat Nation exploded on social media. Many pointed to Mellott’s FCS playoff heroics and Bergen’s punt return highlight reel. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah posted, “Tough business. Both guys have NFL traits. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen today, but I’d expect workouts by next week.”

Montana State head coach Brent Vigen texted both players: “This door shuts, a bigger one opens. Control your response.” The program has produced NFL roster members before, and the consensus among scouts is that Wednesday’s NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen outcome doesn’t close the book.

What Does This Mean for Their NFL Futures?

Getting cut in July doesn’t blacklist a player. Undrafted rookies routinely cycle through multiple teams before finding a fit. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen situation actually offers each athlete a fresh look from 31 other clubs. Workouts, practice squad spots, and futures contracts all remain on the table.

Both players hold one enormous advantage: their college tape is easily accessible and widely respected. Area scouts already have reports filed. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen event will trigger a new wave of evaluation across the league.

Potential Landing Spots After the Cut

• A team with a mobile quarterback need could bring Mellott in for a workout. Think offenses that use heavy RPO concepts.
• Bergen makes sense for any club lacking a dynamic punt returner or seeking competition in the slot.
• The CFL is also a realistic pathway. Both players would command immediate interest north of the border.
• Practice squad eligibility remains intact. They can sign to a 16-man practice squad after final cuts.

How NFL Roster Cuts Impact Undrafted Rookies

Undrafted rookies face a microscopic margin for error. They don’t carry draft capital protection, so every roster reduction puts them first on the chopping block. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen transactions follow this exact template. Teams often churn the bottom of the roster to bring in veterans or draft picks with guaranteed money.

These players receive termination pay only if they have accrued a credited season. As first-year players, Mellott and Bergen get nothing beyond per diem and any signing bonus already paid. That makes financial survival a real part of the story.

Tommy Mellott’s Skill Set and Why He Could Get Another Shot

Mellott runs a legitimate 4.5-second 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 19 times at his pro day. His rushing instincts translate. He accounted for over 300 total yards in a single FCS playoff game twice. When plays break down, he creates.

Quarterback coaches value that creativity. A team installing a gadget-package or looking for a developmental QB3 with rushing upside will study the NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen news and ring his agent. Mellott just needs one coach who designs around his legs.

Junior Bergen’s Elite Return Ability Could Earn Him a Spot

Bergen averaged 15.2 yards per punt return across his college career with four house calls. He also posted a 4.38 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical at Montana State’s pro day. Those numbers stick to a scouting report.

The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen decision by the Giants doesn’t erase the fact that Bergen fielded 62 punts without a fumble. Ball security combined with explosiveness is a rare package. Kickoff and punt return jobs open every week during the season due to injuries. Bergen will get a phone call.

Comparing Their College Stats to NFL Thresholds

Below are the career production numbers that made both players priority free agents. NFL teams use percentile thresholds for athletic testing, and both exceeded minimums at their positions.

These numbers scream football player. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen update stings precisely because the production leaps off the page.

The Financial Side of Being Cut as an Undrafted Free Agent

Mellott received a $10,000 signing bonus and a standard UDFA contract with no guaranteed base salary. Bergen got $7,500 up front. When the NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen, both lose per diem and facility access immediately. No termination pay applies. They are responsible for their own housing, training, and flights to workouts. That grind shapes the mental toughness evaluators love.

Lessons from Other Montana State Players Who Made It

Troy Andersen, a former Bobcat linebacker, was drafted in the second round and now starts in the NFL. He faced doubts about FCS competition and came out the other side. Alex Singleton went undrafted out of Montana State, played in the CFL, and then became an NFL tackling machine.

The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen setback fits a known pattern. Paths rarely run straight. The Bobcat program has taught its players to treat a “no” as a redirection. Both men have an alumni network that actively helps players land second chances.

Could They Land on a Practice Squad?

Yes. Final roster cutdowns happen in late August. After that, each team assembles a 16-player practice squad. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen now, but they can re-sign with Denver or New York for the practice squad, or ink a deal with any other team.

Practice squad players earn a fixed weekly salary and can be elevated to the game-day roster. Many undrafted success stories start exactly there. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen chapter may simply be the prelude to a practice squad contract.

What Should Fans Watch for Next?

• Workout announcements on the NFL transaction wire.
• Any team that suffers an injury at quarterback or returner during training camp.
• CFL negotiation list movements. Both players are eligible immediately.
• Montana State’s official social media channels often share updates directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NFL Cuts of Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen

Why did NFL teams cut Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen?

Roster numbers and position logjams forced the moves. Denver had four quarterbacks with stronger ties to the franchise. New York kept a veteran returner and a draft pick. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen decisions reflect camp math, not talent ceilings.

Can Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen still play in the NFL this season?

Absolutely. Both can sign with any team immediately, join a practice squad after final cutdowns, or get called up during the season. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen headlines do not end their 2026 eligibility.

What makes Tommy Mellott an intriguing NFL prospect after the cut?

His dual-threat rushing ability and playoff production. Mellott posted 40 rushing touchdowns and multiple 300-yard games. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen transaction won’t stop a team needing a mobile quarterback from taking a closer look.

Where does Junior Bergen fit best after getting cut?

Any team needing a sure-handed punt returner with speed. Bergen logged four return touchdowns and never fumbled a punt. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen move frees him to find a better special teams fit.

Do teams ever re-sign players they cut in July?

Yes, frequently. Injuries change rosters overnight. The Broncos or Giants could bring Mellott or Bergen back on a practice squad deal. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen outcome might reverse by September.

How do undrafted free agents survive financially after being cut?

They rely on signing bonus money already paid and take part-time work while training. Many stay with host families or teammates. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen reality shows the financial hustle beneath the league’s surface.

Bottom Line

The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen story writes a comma, not a period. Tommy Mellott controls what he can: his training, his tape, his response to the phone when it rings. Junior Bergen owns an explosive return skill that every special teams coordinator needs on speed dial. Both athletes have produced too much on film to stay unsigned for long. Share this breakdown with a Bobcat fan who needs the full picture. Drop your own take in the comments: which team should scoop up Mellott, and where does Bergen make an instant impact? Hit the follow button for updates the moment either player signs a new deal.