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The Chiefs also released starting cornerback Stanford Routt, who was one of their major offseason free-agent acquisitions. They also signed veteran defensive tackle Shaun Smith, who played for the Chiefs in 2010.

The moves may not have much of an impact on a 1-7 team that has routinely been on the losing side of blowouts this season. But they are startling admissions of a couple key mistakes made by Crennel and the Chiefs.

A series of changes took place at The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. The Chiefs waived cornerback Stanford Routt and signed DT Shaun Smith Monday.

Routt, who signed with the Chiefs in the offseason, after being cut by the Oakland Raiders, started seven games and totaled 21 tackles (19 unassisted), one fumble and two interceptions during his Kansas City campaign. The move not only provides instant opportunity for other members of the Chiefs secondary to prove their value to the team, but also allows a familiar face, Shaun Smith to return to the Kingdom.

The Chiefs still don’t have a starting quarterback for Monday’s game against the Steelers. Brady Quinn has yet to be cleared by doctors after suffering a possible concussion against the Raiders on Oct. 28, and until he is, the job belongs to Matt Cassel.

But Quinn could be cleared this week in time for him to prepare to play against the Steelers. Coach Romeo Crennel said he would make a decision between Quinn and Cassel as the starter if Quinn gets the OK to play.

Cassel was the quarterback in practice on Monday. Quinn did some throwing during individual drills but didn’t participate when the Chiefs went to full team work.

The Chiefs still don’t have a starting quarterback for Monday’s game against the Steelers. Brady Quinn has yet to be cleared by doctors after suffering a possible concussion against the Raiders on Oct. 28, and until he is, the job belongs to Matt Cassel.

But Quinn could be cleared this week in time for him to prepare to play against the Steelers. Coach Romeo Crennel said he would make a decision between Quinn and Cassel as the starter if Quinn gets the OK to play.

Cassel was the quarterback in practice on Monday. Quinn did some throwing during individual drills but didn’t participate when the Chiefs went to full team work.

Baldwin, the No. 26 overall pick in 2011, took advantage of Dwayne Bowe’s holdout in the offseason and in training camp. However, in the regular season, the focus has been on Bowe. He has 45 catches for 571 yards. Baldwin has 15 catches for 213 yards.

“I think Jon, he has not produced as much as we want him to produce or what I anticipated he would produce, particularly after the OTAs because he did a very nice job there,” Crennel told reporters Monday. “But we had a piece missing during the OTAs that came back, and I think that impacted a lot of the passing game. The thing that we have to do is, we have to get Jon more involved than we’ve had him involved and give him an opportunity to be a playmaker for us. That’s one of the things we’re going to try to work on.”

Baldwin is an important piece for Kansas City moving forward and getting him involved is vital. Bowe is likely going to leave as a free agent after the season.