Spencer Waege’s National Football League dreams are on hold again.
The South Shore native and 2017 Watertown High School graduate was cut Tuesday by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. NFL teams had until 3 p.m. Tuesday to cut their initial rosters down to 53 prior to the start of the 2024 season. Another 16 players can be kept on the practice squad.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive lineman signed with the Packers in May and played in the team’s first two preseason games this month. He recorded a quarterback sack in a 23-10 win over the Cleveland Browns and two solo tackles in a 27-2 loss to the Denver Broncos.
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A media report last week indicated that the former North Dakota State standout had entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and he reportedly didn’t play in the team’s final preseason game, a 30-7 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
Waege signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State following the 2023 NFL draft. He was on the 49ers’ 90-man roster for most of training camp and played 54 snaps in the preseason, batting down one pass and assisting on a tackle.
Waege was a two-time FCS All-American at NDSU as a defensive end but was used mostly as a defensive tackle by the 49ers, who released Waege before the 2023 regular season started and resigned him to the practice squad for the final three months of the regular season.
The 49ers released Waege again in May and he signed with the Packers a few days later.
For Spencer Waege, a native of South Shore, South Dakota, and a 2017 graduate of Watertown High School, the path to fulfilling his National Football League (NFL) aspirations has been marked by both promising opportunities and significant setbacks. The latest chapter in his journey unfolded on Tuesday, as Waege faced yet another hurdle: being cut by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
Waege’s NFL dream was reignited earlier this year when the 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive lineman signed with the Green Bay Packers in May. The Packers, known for their strong history in developing defensive talent, seemed like an ideal landing spot for Waege, who had previously shown promise in his college career at North Dakota State University (NDSU). With the 2024 NFL season approaching, Waege was eager to prove himself on one of the biggest stages in professional sports.
In August, Waege got his first taste of NFL action during the preseason, suiting up for the Packers in their first two games. His performance was a mixed bag of highlights and challenges, showcasing both his potential and the hurdles he still needed to overcome. In the Packers’ preseason opener, a 23-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Waege made an impactful play by recording a quarterback sack, a moment that surely caught the attention of the coaching staff. He followed that up with two solo tackles in the team’s next game, a 27-2 loss to the Denver Broncos. Each snap was a crucial opportunity for Waege to make his case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
However, Waege’s momentum was abruptly halted when he entered the NFL’s concussion protocol, reportedly after sustaining an injury in practice. Concussions are a serious concern in football, and the NFL has strict guidelines to protect players’ health. For Waege, this development meant he had to sit out the Packers’ final preseason game, a 30-7 win over the Baltimore Ravens, further complicating his efforts to secure a spot on the team.
This was not the first time Waege had faced adversity in his pursuit of an NFL career. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Waege’s journey began with the San Francisco 49ers, a team with a strong tradition of defensive excellence. As an undrafted free agent, Waege faced long odds, but he worked tirelessly throughout training camp to make an impression. The 49ers, recognizing his potential, kept him on their 90-man roster for the majority of the preseason. During that time, Waege played 54 snaps, showcasing his versatility by batting down a pass and assisting on a tackle.
Despite his efforts, Waege was released by the 49ers before the start of the 2023 regular season. However, the team saw enough promise in him to bring him back onto the practice squad, where he spent the final three months of the season. It was a chance for Waege to continue developing his skills and prove that he could be a valuable asset in the NFL.
Unfortunately, Waege’s time with the 49ers came to an end in May 2024, when he was released again. Undeterred, Waege quickly found a new opportunity with the Green Bay Packers, who signed him just a few days later. The Packers, looking to add depth to their defensive line, offered Waege a fresh start and another shot at making an NFL roster.
Now, as the Packers and other NFL teams have made their final roster cuts, Waege finds himself on the outside looking in once more. While he was not among the 53 players who made the Packers’ initial roster for the 2024 season, Waege’s journey is far from over. NFL teams are allowed to keep an additional 16 players on their practice squads, and Waege could still find himself in that mix, whether with the Packers or another team in need of defensive line depth.
Waege’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of a dream that many young athletes share. From his standout days at North Dakota State, where he earned recognition as a two-time FCS All-American, to his current battles in the professional ranks, Waege has consistently shown that he possesses the talent and drive to compete at a high level. Despite the setbacks, his journey serves as an inspiration to others who face obstacles in their own pursuits.
For now, Waege will continue to work hard, stay ready, and wait for the next opportunity to prove himself. The road to the NFL is rarely easy, and it often requires patience, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to the dream. Spencer Waege has demonstrated all of these qualities, and his story is a reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding journeys are the ones that require us to overcome the greatest challenges.
As the 2024 NFL season kicks off, Waege will undoubtedly be watching, studying, and preparing for the moment when his name is called once again. Whether it’s with the Packers, another NFL team, or a return to the practice squad, Waege’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering pursuit of a dream.