2019 Kansas City Chiefs roster cuts tracker
By Matt Conner
In order to help you amid the frenzy of player news on this busy weekend, here’s your one-stop shop for Kansas City Chiefs roster cuts.
Thirty seven players. Thirty two teams. The equation is a sad one for those forced to do the math and weather the weekend known for roster cuts in the National Football League.
The sum total of players who will have played their last minutes for their respective NFL teams is nearly 1,200 although a few hundred will earn spots on Practice Squads around the league. Still, that’s several hundred men whose long-held dreams of playing professional football is over—at least for a bit.
For a team like the Kansas City Chiefs, the margin of error is so thin given the talent on hand is already so deep. The Chiefs have impact players on both sides of the ball and some positions are incredibly deep, which makes it extremely difficult for even an impressive young player to worm his way onto the active roster.
Key questions about at various positions, however, on both offense and defense. Will the Chiefs keep two or three quarterbacks? Will Carlos Hyde make the active roster? Will Brett Veach pull off the same last-minute deals he made last year (Austin Reiter, Charvarius Ward)?
With so much player movement yet to come and a thousand players made available from other teams, Veach and company have a lot of information to sift through and scenarios to consider. To help keep you sorted as well, we’ve got our roster cuts tracker here with all the latest information on who remains, who has gone and any other transactions of note.
The biggest shock of all has to be the lack of Allen on the team’s final roster. Allen recently signed with K.C. for another year and insinuated that he knew it was coming. He should be a free agent in demand if he wants to gear up and play for another team. It’s also possible he returns on a non-guaranteed deal after Week 1.
Boyd looked like a nice backup option at tackle at some points this offseason but it was always going to be a stretch to make the active roster. Another solid guess at a practice squad role, if unclaimed in waivers.
The Chiefs paid a hefty bonus to Custis to come to the team after going undrafted, but the 6’5 target could never figure out how to use his size to his advantage in camp with the Chiefs.
The 5’9 receiver was facing an uphill battle to turn heads of this coaching staff. It’s a testament to his talent and hard work that he made it this far, but the lack of Davis on the active roster at this point is hardly a surprise.
Davison was running with the last few linebackers on the team in each and every preseason game, so this cut has been telegraphed for quite some time.
Dimick was a late addition to the roster as a camp body to help the team get through preseason games.
Fortson wowed fans in the Chiefs preseason finale against the Packers, but he was always going to be a project coming in from Valdosta State as a priority free agent. Kudos to him for turning heads as he did, and it shouldn’t shock anyone to see him land on the team’s practice squad as a long-term flyer with big target potential.
The first real competition for Dustin Colquitt in several years, Fox showed he could likely do the job in case something ever happened to the longtime veteran and perhaps this was an extended tryout for the real job next season—in case Fox is available.
Garner was the last tight end through the revolving door that’s been rotating all offseason. Garner never stood a realistic chance of making this team.
Matt Derrick reports that Joey Ivie beat out Hamilton for a final spot along the defensive line for the Chiefs. Hamilton should draw considerable interest as a rotational body elsewhere, but the Chiefs clearly like what they see in the journeyman Ivie, who has also spent time in Atlanta, Dallas, and Seattle.
Hines looked solid at times after joining the Chiefs this offseason, but like previous tenures with the Chargers and Browns, Hines comes up short once again. Maybe a practice squad spot will open up?
Maybe if Jones-Quartey would just picture his audience naked, he would have made a bigger impact. HJQ ended up tackling a streaker on Thursday against the Packers in the preseason finale for both teams, the most notable play he made all summer.
This is either an admission that the transition from defensive line to offensive line wasn’t working as expected or that it needs considerably more time. If the Chiefs reclaim him for the practice squad, that will tell the story for Kahlil McKenzie.
It’s possible Litton is once again the scout team quarterback, but the Marshall QB has no place on the active roster.
Marshall showed off some nice runs in the team’s final preseason game, but the Chiefs were already over-crowded in the backfield.
McCray has some nice pass rushing instincts that have earned him an extended look with the Chiefs for well over a year now. He was injured in the fourth game, so maybe he can return to the practice squad or injured list but he’s clearly still too raw to compete.
Among the bigger preseason surprise cuts is the release of Miller, who came up with a few big plays in games this August. That said, consistency was clearly a concern overall for many of the younger corners and Miller will now have to slip through waivers to remain on the team’s practice squad.
The Chiefs began their cuts in the secondary with the release of defensive back Dakari Monrow who failed to stand out in a needy pass defense. The San Jose State turned heads enough after the draft to sign him, but he leaves K.C. with a long road ahead toward making an NFL roster.
The Chiefs hid Murray on the team’s active roster as an “inactive” for much of the season, but the former Holy Cross product couldn’t turn the corner this offseason and claim a backup lineman spot. This is a bit of a surprise, but watch for him on the team’s practice squad.
Murphy has been through this process before after failing to make the active rosters of the Rams (2016) and 49ers (2017-18). His size and strength continue to earn him looks, so a continued push on his part to keep the dream alive might help him break through eventually. For now, the Chiefs were just too deep.
The Tennessee State project here is 315 pounds and 6’6. That sort of size will get you noticed, but Okeke was going to be a longshot after signing a bit later than others.
The Vandy quarterback had an up and down showing for the Chiefs this summer, but it looked like he’d clearly outplayed Chase Litton in relief of Patrick Mahomes and Chad Henne. Now it’s clear the Chiefs will roll with two quarterbacks this offseason, which leaves the PS as a possibility for one of the others.
Soroh came to the Chiefs as a linebacker turned safety from Florida Atlantic who turned heads during the teams rookie minicamp. He might be able to stick on the practice squad if others are taken and/or the team has developmental interests.
There was a feeling among many that Thompson could sneak onto the roster as a rookie free agent who had a strong preseason and training camp. Unfortunately he couldn’t knock off more experienced players, but don’t be surprised if the Chiefs bring him back (or to see him claimed by another interested team).
Never a chance.
Wade showed some impressive skills early in training camp and looked like he may emerge as a helpful young player the team desperately needs in the secondary. Instead, more reps and game time showed more weaknesses and now Wade has found himself on the outside looking in. Another strong P.S. candidate.
The Chiefs are deepest along the defensive line so it’s not a surprise to see Walker unable to make the final roster. However, Herbie Teope says he’s a candidate for the practice squad if another team doesn’t claim him. He originally entered the NFL with the Bears just last year.
Former Chiefs released during NFL roster cuts. dark. Next
Expect further moves from Brett Veach as he claims players on the waiver wire and finds trades that further bolsters the roster.