The NFL is a cold business. One minute you're a five-star recruit with blazing 4.39 speed, and the next, you're getting waived in the middle of a preseason game. Honestly, that’s exactly what happened to Chris Tyree. If you were following the New Orleans Saints during the 2025 preseason, you might remember the headlines. The team made the brutal decision to cut the rookie receiver while the game against the Arizona Cardinals was still actually happening.
It felt weird. It felt rushed. But in the salary-cap-hell world of New Orleans, every roster spot is a literal battleground.
Tyree came into the league with a lot of hype as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia and Notre Dame. He wasn't just some "camp body." We’re talking about a guy who had a 42-inch vertical and a history of making defenders look silly in the open field. But the transition from a college running back to an NFL wideout is a massive mountain to climb, and a nagging undisclosed injury basically ended his Saints career before it could even start.
The Halftime Departure That Shocked Fans
Usually, when a player gets cut, it happens in a quiet office on a Tuesday morning. The Saints decided to break that mold in the most awkward way possible. During their first preseason matchup of 2025, news started trickling out that Tyree had been waived with an injury designation. People were still buying nachos in the Superdome while Tyree was effectively becoming a free agent.
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Why the rush? It basically came down to the "injury designation" tag. By waiving him then, the Saints could move him to the injured reserve (IR) list if he went unclaimed, which he eventually did.
The move wasn't about his talent—though the WR room was crowded with guys like Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Bub Means—it was about roster flexibility. The Saints needed to see what they had in other healthy bodies. If you can't practice in August, you aren't playing in September. That’s just the reality of the league.
Why the Saints Cut Rookie Receiver Tyree
Looking back, the "Saints cut rookie receiver Tyree" news wasn't just a random transaction. It was a symptom of a larger problem in New Orleans. The team has been juggling a messy cap situation for years. In 2025 and heading into 2026, they've been forced to prioritize "win-now" veterans and cheap, healthy rookies who can contribute on special teams immediately.
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Tyree was a project. He spent most of his time at Notre Dame as a running back before switching to the slot. That kind of versatility is great on paper, but in an NFL training camp, you need to be a master of one thing. He was struggling to find his rhythm in Kellen Moore’s offense before the injury bug bit.
The Injury Settlement Factor
After reverting to the Saints' IR, Tyree didn't just sit there all year. By August 12, 2025, he reached an injury settlement. This is a common but confusing move where the team pays the player a lump sum for the weeks he’s expected to be out, and then he becomes a free agent. It’s basically a "get well soon and try again elsewhere" handshake.
Where is Chris Tyree Now?
If you're wondering if he's given up, think again. In December 2025, Tyree popped up on the radar again, this time working out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's still only 24. That kind of speed doesn't just disappear, even if your first stop in the pros was a total disaster.
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The Steelers are notorious for taking fliers on athletic projects, and Tyree fits that "low-risk, high-reward" mold perfectly. He’s spent the last few months of 2025 getting back to 100% health.
What This Means for the Saints' Future
The Saints' WR depth chart is still a bit of a question mark beyond the top two. Cutting a guy with Tyree's ceiling shows that the coaching staff is tired of waiting for "potential." They need production.
- Chris Olave is the clear WR1, but the team is looking for a physical presence to complement him.
- Rashid Shaheed handles the deep threat and return duties.
- Mason Tipton and Bub Means have stepped up into roles that Tyree was originally competing for.
Actionable Steps for Following the Saints Roster
If you’re a Saints fan trying to keep track of these revolving door roster moves, keep an eye on the "Reserve/Future" signings happening right now in January 2026. This is when teams grab guys like Tyree—players who showed flashes but got hurt—to see if they can survive a second training camp.
Check the waiver wire reports specifically on Tuesday afternoons. That's when the Saints typically churn the bottom of the roster. Also, keep an eye on the Steelers' practice squad updates; if Tyree is going to make a comeback, it’ll likely start as a "futures" deal in Pittsburgh or another AFC North team that values North-South speed.
The NFL isn't always fair, and being cut at halftime is a tough pill to swallow. But in the world of professional sports, your first team rarely ends up being your last. Tyree's story in New Orleans is over, but his career probably isn't.