Kansas City Chiefs release Marqueston Huff, sign Steven Terrell

The Kansas City Chiefs have swapped safeties in July by releasing veteran Marqueston Huff and bringing in Steven Terrell.

A minor swap of safeties took place on Thursday night alongside the bigger news that the Kansas City Chiefs had re-signed linebacker Josh Mauga. Also on the transaction wire was news that the Chiefs had placed safety Marqueston Huff on waivers and signed former Seattle Seahawk safety Steven Terrell.

Terrell’s move to the Chiefs brings him that much closer to his home in Allen, Texas, and where he also played college ball at Texas A&M. Terrell, who will turn 27-years-old during the first month of the season, has held on longer at the NFL level than likely expected, given that he was an undrafted free agent in 2013 for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent time on their practice squad along with the Houston Texans and finally found a home over the last few years with the Seahawks.

Terrell played in 32 games for the Seahawks, including all 16 regular season contests in 2016. He even started five last year and was active for the team’s Super Bowl win as well. However, General Manager John Schneider completely restocked the bottom of the depth chart with three new safeties in this year’s draft, so it’s only a matter of time until Terrell would be forced to find a new home.

Huff is a former fourth round pick of the Tennessee Titans from the 2014 NFL Draft who has failed to catch on with four teams now since entering the league. Pro Football Talk reports Huff was released with “a non-football injury designation”.

Whether it was Huff or now Terrell occupying this roster spot, it’s going to be a significant uphill climb for either to make the final active roster. The Chiefs have a loaded secondary as it is, and the back end of the depth chart is loaded with young investments. Among safeties, the big three of Ron Parker, Eric Berry and Daniel Sorensen is backed up by Eric Murray and the team’s latest sixth round pick Leon McQuay III. Then again, perhaps Terrell’s special teams work and recent starting experience will give him a better position than expected.