With waiver claims still to come, for now, the Kansas City Chiefs have temporarily set their 53-man roster. For the first time since Andy Reid became head coach, the Chiefs sit ninth in the initial waiver claim pecking order. So they’ll have to wait to see if they are rewarded any claims. So how does the roster break down?
When the Kansas City Chiefs released their initial 53-man roster, it was nearly two hours after the deadline. With that said, only two suprises hit the list, Tackle Esa Pole and free agent Running Back, Emari Demercado. Both played significant minutes in the Chiefs exhibition finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
As for Pole, when the Chiefs made a pair of trades to bolster depth to their offensive line, Pole was the odd man out. On Saturday, Kansas City sent a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for Tackle Diego Pounds, and earlier in the week made a deal with the New York Giants for guard/tackle Josh Edeuzu.
The dilemma for the Chiefs was whether to keep four running backs and four tight ends. There were rumblings that tight end Jake Briningstool was going to be cut, but by mid-season he’ll be the primary backup to Travis Kelce. For now, Jared Wiley still has a roster spot. Brashard Smith, who can run, catch, and play special teams, allowed the Chiefs to cut Demercardo, who really didn’t flash enough to warrant a roster spot.
I was surprised wide receiver Andrew Armstrong wasn’t kept. Though Nikko Remigio, who has no value in the passing game, remains the primary return specialist, keeping him over Armstrong, who was the best receiver in preseason, could have been avoided. Special teams coach Dave Toub has an affinity for Remigio, but ultimately, I think Brashard Smith is a better option. Kansas City hopes to get Armstrong back on their practice squad on Monday.
The Chiefs’ decision to keep a group of ten on the offensive line likely comes down to the uncertain status of Josh Simmons and the injury to Trey Smith. Simmons is dealing with a back issue and has sought a second opinion. Thus, with the two trades, we won’t know who the starting five might be until they return to practice on Wednesday.
On defense, the only surprise was the release of veteran defensive end Emanuel Ogbah, a vested veteran who could return to the practice squad on Monday. The
Now, the Chiefs have the ninth spot on the waiver wire, and it’s quite likely they could make a move or two. If there’s a weakness right now, it’s a veteran wide receiver and a versatile linebacker. The Chiefs will also focus on the practice squad, which they can begin filling on Monday.
As part of the 53-man announcement, the Chiefs placed wide receiver Jimmy Holiday on season-ending injury reserve, and Omar Norman-Lott remains on the PUP list. He will be eligible to return after week four. The Chiefs have a Bye Week after that, and thus he’ll have more time to get ready for his roster return.
Chiefs 53-Man Roster (By Position)
Quarterback (3)
- Patrick Mahomes
- Justin Fields
- Garrett Nussmeier
Running Back (3)
- Emmett Johnson
- Brashard Smith
- Ken Walker
Wide Receiver (6)
- Cyrus Allen
- Nikko Remigio
- Rashee Rice
- Jalen Royals
- Tyquan Thornton
- Xavier Worthy
Tight End (4)
- Jake Briningstool
- Noah Gray
- Travis Kelce
- Jared Wiley
Offensive Line (10)
- Kahlil Benson
- Mike Caliendo
- Josh Ezeudu
- Creed Humphrey
- Jaylon Moore
- Hunter Nourzad
- Diego Pounds
- Josh Simmons
- Trey Smith
- Kingsley Suamataia
Defensive Line (8)
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah
- Ashton Gillotte
- Marcus Harris
- Chris Jones
- George Karlaftis
- R Mason Thomas
- Khyiris Tonga
- Peter Woods
Linebacker (5)
- Jeffrey Bassa
- Nick Bolton
- Jack Cochrane
- Cooper McDonald
- Drue Tranquill
Defensive Back (11)
- Jadon Canady
- Chamarri Conner
- Mansoor Delane
- Kristian Fulton
- Alohi Gilman
- Jaden Hicks
- Kevin Knowles
- Xavier Nwankpa
- Chris Roland-Wallace
- L’Jarius Sneed
- Nohl Williams
Specialists (3)
- Matt Araiza
- Harrison Butker
- James Winchester
Chiefs Player Cut
- Vincent Anthony – DE
- Kam Arnold – LB
- Andrew Armstrong – WR
- Wesley Bissainthe – LB
- Cole Brevard – DT
- Jason Brownlee – WR
- Jacob De Jesus – WR
- Emari Demercado – RB
- Ethan Driskell – T
- Omari Evans – WR
- Chukwuebuka Godrick – T
- Ethan Hurkett – DE
- Cam Jones – LB
- Niles King – DE
- Xavier Loyd – WR
- Tanner McCalister – S
- Amari McNeill – DT
- Pete Nygra – C
- Jaydn Ott – RB
- Damon Payne – DT
- D’Arco Perkins-McAllister – CB
- Mason Pline – TE
- Esa Pole – T
- DeShon Singleton – S
- Melvin Smith – CB
- Tyreke Smith – DE
- Josh Thompson – G
- Zelmar Vedder – CB
- Tre Watson – TE
- Jeff Weimer – WR
Waived Injury Designations
- C.J. Hanson – G
- Chris Oladokun – QB
- EJ Smith – RB
Contracts Terminated
- Cole Christiansen – LB
- Kaiir Elam – CB
- Kader Kohou – CB
