By Oscar Woods 
Montana’s two biggest NFL rookies of 2025 didn’t survive cut-down day. Here’s what happened and what comes next.
The NFL’s annual roster deadline hit Montana hard on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Tommy Mellott, the Butte native and former Montana State Bobcats quarterback, was waived by the Las Vegas Raiders. Around the same time, Billings native Junior Bergen was released by the San Francisco 49ers. Two Montana rookies, two cuts, one brutal Tuesday.
Both players were among the roughly 1,200 players cut league-wide as every NFL team trimmed from 90 to 53 players before the 2025 regular season.
Table of Contents
Who Are Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen?
Tommy Mellott grew up in Butte, Montana, and became one of the most celebrated quarterbacks in Montana State Bobcats history. The Las Vegas Raiders drafted him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In Las Vegas, Mellott made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver, also contributing on special teams during the preseason.
Junior Bergen is a Billings product who starred as a receiver and return specialist for the Montana Grizzlies. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen brought a unique weapon to that roster: he holds the FCS record with eight punt return touchdowns in his college career. With the 49ers, he lined up as a receiver and kick returner during training camp and the preseason.
The two Montana natives even faced each other during the preseason. On August 16 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Mellott made a solo tackle on Bergen after a kickoff return, a moment that captured a lot of attention back home.
Why Did the NFL Cut Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen?
Both were late-round draft picks competing for the final spots on deep rosters. That is always a tough spot.
For Mellott, Raiders GM John Spytek addressed the decision directly after the cuts. “I have a lot of respect for Tommy,” Spytek said. “Ultimately our responsibility was to put the best 53 and the 17 after that to get ready to win football games.” He added that every receiver the Raiders brought to camp finished the preseason healthy, which made it a numbers issue as much as anything. Spytek also said he still believes in Mellott’s future in the league.
Bergen’s path was similar. He returned kicks and played receiver during the preseason, totaling 128 yards on six kick returns and four punt returns for 38 yards. He muffed one punt, which likely factored into San Francisco’s evaluation. With a crowded depth chart and limited offensive targets, he couldn’t quite lock down the roster spot.
What Happens Next for Both Players?
Neither player’s story ends here.
Junior Bergen was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on Wednesday, August 27, one day after being waived. NFL insider Mike Garafolo confirmed the 49ers planned to bring Bergen back once he cleared waivers. He remained with the organization he was drafted into.
Tommy Mellott was not added to the Raiders’ practice squad. Las Vegas instead signed NDSU quarterback Cam Miller, who was drafted two picks after Mellott, to their practice squad. However, reports surfaced later that Mellott signed on to another team’s practice squad, with 406MTSports noting he eventually linked up with the New Orleans Saints practice squad.
Key facts on the waiver and practice squad process:
- Any team in the NFL can claim a waived player before they clear waivers
- Once a player clears waivers, they can sign with any team’s practice squad
- Practice squads pay NFL minimum salaries and allow players to continue developing
- Players on practice squads can be elevated to the active 53-man roster during the season
A Tough Day for Montana Football Overall
The NFL cut Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen on the same day several other Montana-tied players also lost their roster spots. Former Grizzly offensive lineman Dylan Cook was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Receiver Samori Toure, a former Griz who finished at Nebraska, was let go by the Chicago Bears. Bobcat lineman Rush Reimer was cut by the Buffalo Bills.On the other side, a few Montana players did hold on. Defensive lineman Daniel Hardy made Chicago’s 53-man roster. Ty Okada earned a spot as the fifth safety in Seattle. Linebacker Alex Singleton stayed with the Denver Broncos. Bozeman native Will Dissly kept his spot with the Los Angeles Chargers heading into his eighth NFL season.
The Bigger Picture
Late-round draft picks fighting for roster spots is one of the most competitive situations in professional sports. Mellott was converting from FCS quarterback to NFL wide receiver in a matter of months. Bergen was trying to carve a role as both a returner and a receiver on a franchise with established depth at those positions. Neither had an easy path.
Both players are young, both were drafted, and both landed NFL opportunities after their release. The NFL cuts of Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen were tough, but for two Montana kids who made it to the league in the first place, the chapter is far from closed.