NFL Cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen
Introduction
The NFL roster cut deadline destroys dreams every season.
Problem: Two of Montana’s most exciting prospects—Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen—suddenly found themselves without jobs after training camp.
Agitation: Fans across Big Sky country felt the sting of watching local heroes fight for survival on the waiver wire.
Solution: This complete breakdown reveals exactly why the NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen happened, where each player stands now, and their clear path back to the active roster.
1. Who Are Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen? Meet Montana’s NFL Hopefuls
Tommy Mellott captured national attention as the “Touchdown Machine” from Butte, Montana. He led Montana State to the FCS national championship game with explosive running and clutch passing . Junior Bergen emerged from Billings as a record-setting return specialist for the Montana Grizzlies. His electric punt returns and kickoff skills made him a special teams weapon.
Both players heard their names called in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mellott went in the sixth round to the Las Vegas Raiders. Bergen followed in the seventh round to the San Francisco 49ers . The celebration across Montana felt like a state holiday. But the NFL quickly reminded everyone that draft status means nothing without production.
2. The Complete Timeline of NFL Cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen
Understanding the exact sequence of events clarifies each player’s current situation. The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen did not happen simultaneously or for the same reasons.
| Event | Tommy Mellott | Junior Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Draft Position | 6th Round, #213 overall | 7th Round, #252 overall |
| Draft Team | Las Vegas Raiders | San Francisco 49ers |
| Initial Position | QB to WR conversion | Return specialist / WR |
| First Cut Date | August 2025 (final roster cuts) | August 2025 (final roster cuts) |
| Practice Squad | New Orleans Saints (brief) | None initially |
| Second Release | October 2025 (Saints) | N/A |
| Current Status (March 2026) | Free Agent | Reserve/Futures Contract with 49ers |
3. Why the Raiders Converted Tommy Mellott from QB to WR
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Tommy Mellott knowing his athleticism exceeded his passing polish. His college tape showed a runner who happened to throw, not a pure pocket passer . NFL teams love converting dual-threat quarterbacks into gadget receivers or running backs.
The position switch sounded logical on paper. Move Mellott to wide receiver where his speed and open-field moves create mismatches. But learning NFL route trees in one preseason proved impossible. Veteran corners exploited his raw footwork and inexperienced releases. The Raiders made the difficult call to waive him during final roster cuts.
4. Tommy Mellott’s Brief Stint with the New Orleans Saints
After the Raiders released Mellott, the New Orleans Saints offered a practice squad spot. This move gave Mellott more time to develop without counting against the active roster . The Saints coaching staff saw promise in his work ethic and willingness to learn multiple positions.
Unfortunately, the Saints needed roster spots for other priorities by October 2025. They released Mellott from the practice squad, making him a free agent . No other team claimed him off waivers. Since October 2025, Mellott has remained unattached while training privately for another opportunity.
5. Junior Bergen’s Rollercoaster with the San Francisco 49ers
Junior Bergen’s path looked different from Mellott’s from the start. The 49ers drafted him specifically for his return skills. His college stats included multiple punt return touchdowns and kickoff return yardage records at Montana .
Despite being waived during August 2025 final cuts, the 49ers never truly let Bergen go. They saw enough value in his special teams ability to keep him connected to the organization. On January 20, 2026, the 49ers signed Bergen to a reserve/futures contract . This deal allows him to compete in offseason workouts and training camp for 2026.
6. What Is a Reserve/Futures Contract? (Junior Bergen’s Deal Explained)
A reserve/futures contract sounds fancy but means something simple. Teams sign players to these deals after the regular season ends. The contract activates when the new league year begins in March .
For Junior Bergen, this reserve/futures contract guarantees he enters 2026 training camp with the 49ers. He does not need to be re-signed or invited as a tryout player. He has a locker, a playbook, and a real shot at making the 53-man roster. Many NFL careers started exactly this way.
7. Why Both Players Faced the NFL Cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen Label
The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen for the same fundamental reason: roster math. Each team carries only 53 active players. General managers must balance proven veterans against developmental rookies. Late-round picks from FCS schools rarely make the active roster immediately.
Both players also faced the “positional fluidity” curse. Mellott switched from quarterback to receiver midstream. Bergen went from college star to NFL special teamer. Neither role played to their immediate strengths. The NFL rewards specialists who excel at one thing, not generalists who do several things adequately.
8. The FCS to NFL Gap: Why Montana Stars Struggle for Playing Time
FCS football produces NFL talent every year. But the jump from Big Sky Conference to the NFL is the sport’s steepest climb. Practice speeds double what college players experience. Defensive backs close gaps twice as fast.
Montana State and Montana face lower-level competition weekly. NFL scouts acknowledge the talent but question the transition. Mellott faced FCS defenders who rarely matched his athleticism. In the NFL, everyone runs a 4.4-second forty-yard dash. The edge disappears, and technique takes over.
9. Junior Bergen’s Elite Pro Day Numbers That Keep Him Relevant
Junior Bergen posted impressive testing numbers that explain why the 49ers keep believing. He completed 17 bench press reps at his pro day, showing surprising upper-body strength for a return specialist . His 4.22-second short shuttle time ranks among the fastest at his position.
These numbers matter because special teams demand explosiveness and change-of-direction ability. Bergen’s testing profile matches successful NFL returners like Braxton Berrios and Ray-Ray McCloud. If he translates testing to game speed, the 49ers have a legitimate weapon.
10. Tommy Mellott’s Free Agent Status: What Comes Next in 2026
As of March 2026, Tommy Mellott remains a free agent without a team . This sounds discouraging, but NFL history offers hope. Many players signed after the draft, during training camp injuries, or before playoff runs.
Mellott trains in Montana with private quarterback coaches. He maintains his athleticism while preparing for any role a team offers. The key for Mellott involves staying ready for July or August calls. Teams lose players to injuries constantly. When that happens, prepared free agents get the first call.
11. Comparing Both Players’ Paths to the Active Roster
Bergen holds the stronger position right now. His reserve/futures contract with the 49ers puts him in a real NFL building with coaches who know him. He competes for the returner job and potentially the final wide receiver spot.
Mellott faces a harder road as a pure free agent. He needs a team to invite him to training camp first. Then he must outperform multiple other camp bodies. His best path involves signing with a team that runs creative offensive packages. Think of how the Saints used Taysom Hill or how the 49ers deploy Deebo Samuel.
12. What NFL Teams Look for in Developmental Players Like Mellott and Bergen
NFL general managers prioritize three NFL Cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen things when signing developmental players. First, special teams value. Players who cover kicks or return punts make rosters easier. Second, positional versatility. Can the player line up in three different spots? Third, practice squad eligibility. Teams stash promising players for free without losing them.
Junior Bergen checks all three boxes. He returns kicks, plays gunner, and learns multiple receiver positions. Tommy Mellott offers quarterback knowledge plus receiver athleticism. Both players fit the “developmental stash” profile perfectly. Their NFL stories are not over. They are just beginning the second chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Were Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen both cut by their draft teams?
A: Yes. The Raiders cut Tommy Mellott during final roster cuts in August 2025. The 49ers also waived Junior Bergen at the same time. Mellott briefly joined the Saints practice squad before his October 2025 release .
Q2: Which NFL team currently holds Junior Bergen’s rights?
A: The San Francisco 49ers signed Bergen to a reserve/futures contract on January 20, 2026. This deal keeps him with the organization through offseason workouts and training camp for the 2026 season .
Q3: Is Tommy Mellott still playing professional football?
A: Tommy Mellott remains a free agent as of March 2026. His last NFL stop was the New Orleans Saints practice squad, which released him in October 2025. He continues training for another opportunity .
Q4: Why did the Raiders try converting Tommy Mellott to wide receiver?
A: The Raiders saw Mellott’s elite athleticism and running ability as better suited for receiver or gadget roles. His passing skills needed NFL-level refinement. The team hoped a position switch would accelerate his path to the field .
Q5: Can Junior Bergen make the 49ers’ 53-man roster in 2026?
A: Yes. His reserve/futures contract guarantees him a training camp shot. He will compete for the punt returner job and a depth receiver spot. His elite pro day testing numbers (4.22 shuttle, 17 bench reps) support his case .
Q6: Have any Montana players succeeded in the NFL recently?
A: Yes. Troy Andersen from Dillon (Montana State) plays linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. Will Dissly from Bozeman (University of Washington) has enjoyed a productive tight end career with the Seahawks and Chargers .
Your Move: Support Montana’s NFL Hopefuls
The NFL cuts Tommy Mellott Junior Bergen did not end their dreams. Junior Bergen enters 2026 training camp with a real contract and a clear role. Tommy Mellott waits for one phone call that could restart everything.
Follow both players on social media to track their workouts and signings. Share this article with Montana football fans who need hope. The toughest athletes bounce back from rejection. These two Montana boys are exactly that type of competitor.
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