A familiar face hit the waiver wire on Sunday after the Seahawks released Kahlil McKenzie.
On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks officially decided to part ways with offensive lineman Kahlil McKenzie. It’s the latest team who just couldn’t find a way to coach up McKenzie’s obvious physical skills enough to stick on the active roster.
The Kansas City Chiefs were the first team to try to convert McKenzie to the offensive line. The Chiefs first selected McKenzie back in the sixth round of the 2018 Draft at No. 198 overall from the University of Tennessee. The idea was to take the starting defensive lineman and turn him into an asset on the other side. Unfortunately things did not work out for McKenzie and the Chiefs turned him loose just one year later.
The Seahawks claimed McKenzie after his release and placed him on their practice squad for the duration of the 2019 campaign. From there, McKenzie played for a couple teams in the XFL (the DC Defenders and L.A. Wildcats) before going down with a season-ending injury. From there, the Seahawks signed him again for the 2020 season.
At 6’3, 320 lbs., McKenzie, a native of Concord, California, clearly has the frame for an offensive lineman and it’s still possible for him to turn the corner at the position given how he’s still relatively new to the roles he’s been asked to play.
McKenzie’s father, Reggie, was general manager for the Oakland Raiders as recently as 2018. He’s now working in the front office of the Miami Dolphins.