KC Chiefs active roster cuts tracker
By Matt Conner
Check out the Chiefs official 53-man roster here.
With the NFL’s preseason schedule officially wrapped, the next order of business for every franchise will be moving from the breadth of the offseason roster to the limitations of the regular season active roster. By Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. E.T. deadline, the K.C. Chiefs, and every other team, are under the gun to release a total of 27 players (at least) from the present limit roster of 80 down to 53.
Each team has already whittled things down by 10 total players from the 90-man rosters allowed through the month of July. Throughout August, however, each franchise has had to release five players at a time for successive weeks before finally releasing 27 more to get down to the final steps.
If that sounds like a lot of players, it is. It’s a total frenzy on the NFL transaction wire as 864 players will suddenly find themselves unemployed. Some of those will get picked back up (while others are cut to make room for them) in a sort of domino effect that will still leave hundreds wondering how they can still chase their dream of playing professional football for another year (or the first time).
Keeping track of the K.C. Chiefs roster cuts.
Because things can be so busy, we’ve got Chiefs Kingdom covered with an active roster cuts tracker to help you remember who is staying and who is going.
The Chiefs brought in a BYU defensive back (surprise!) to check out in training camp. As an older prospect who is versatile, he could be more pro-ready than other rookie free agents, but the Chiefs decided to cut him for now.
Evan Baylis, TE
Even if the Chiefs really liked Baylis’ potential, the fact is that the tight end room is so crowded that it’s possible they’re forced to keep four on the roster to avoid losing the likes of Jody Fortson on waivers.
DiCaprio Bootle, CB
The Nebraska product was a strong contender for a roster spot and should be a favorite to make the practice squad in hopes of making the leap to the active roster next season.
The Chiefs officially make the decision to go with two quarterbacks for the active roster heading into the season by waiving Buechele. Expect the team to pounce on him for the practice squad if he makes it through waivers.
Antonio Callaway, WR
Callaway was a popular candidate to stick on the roster this offseason, but a preseason injury kept him on the outside looking in and the Chiefs sent the former Browns draft pick packing in the first wave of cuts.
The Louisville product has pro potential but the Chiefs are so deep with young, versatile talent all over the secondary that this move wasn’t surprising.
Taco Charlton, DE
The Chiefs brought back Charlton for another season after last year’s campaign was ended prematurely due to injury. This year, however, the emergence of younger players all around him cost him a chance. The Chiefs released him early to give him a good jump on any other potential jobs.
Tyler Clark, DL
Clark is a former Georgia Bulldog turned UDFA last year with the Bengals and Bears before landing on the Chiefs practice squad late in the season.
Rodney Clemons, DB
Clemons has been with the Chiefs since signing as a rookie free agent back in ’20 after finishing up at Southern Methodist. Part of deep competition in the secondary and has shown enough to earn a long, long look.
Cobb had an outside chance to cracking the 53-man roster but the competition was tough considering the presence of others like Darius Harris.
Riley Cole, LB
Cole signed as a rookie free agent this year and looked pretty solid in limited action. He’s not a likely bet for the practice squad given how early he was released, but Brett Veach will likely keep tabs on him if in need down the road.
Gehrig Dieter, WR
Bad news for the former Alabama wideout, but we’ve seen Gehrig here before and he’s been back in the fold in no time. Hard to believe that won’t hold true going forward.
The Chiefs were especially deep along the defensive front this preseason, so it was hard for this former Ferris State standout to make the cut. The Chiefs seem interested in him long-term, however, so watch for him to stick around post-waivers, if he can.
The former Pitt WR is a familiar face after also spending last year on this practice squad. His continued presence is likely a safe bet for the coming season to be on the PS once again.
Despite the late preseason heroics from Gore against the Vikings, the Chiefs were just too deep to carry so many running backs in the regular season. That said, there’s room here for future growth from Gore as Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon will both be free agents next year.
Anthony Gordon, QB
The Chiefs have entered camp the last few years with a couple developmental arms who battle it out for the practice squad position. Gordon lost out this year to Steve Buechele and was sent packing in the earlier roster cuts.
The Chiefs were likely choosing between Harris and Tim Ward and/or Alex Okafor. Expect Harris to resurface with the team at some point this season, if not claimed on waivers.
Marcus Kemp, WR
Matt Derrick reports this is a procedural move for the Chiefs, who are expecting to bring back Kemp after placing another player on IR after turning in roster cuts.
Devon Key was a favorite UDFA for the Chiefs this summer who looked like a real find for Veach in training camp but once the exhibitions began, Key looked a bit too lost. Expect him to return if he makes it through waivers.
BoPete Keyes, DB
The Tulane product was a seventh round pick for the Chiefs last year. Bet on him to either get claimed on waivers or return to the team. He’s not done at the pro level at all.
Elijah McGuire, RB
The Chiefs placed McGuire on IR at first and then waived the former New York Jets running back with an injury settlement.
In a different year, Miller would have had a chance to stick as a swing tackle, but this line is loaded with starting-caliber talent across the second line.
Manny Patterson, DB
In a loaded secondary, Patterson failed to make his presence felt at all this preseason for the Chiefs, which likely made this a relatively easy call.
Will Parks, DB
In a bit of a surprise move, the Chiefs let Parks go early in roster cuts—perhaps to help him find a new job easier—after signing the versatile free agent to a one-year deal this offseason.
Cornell Powell, WR
The first draft pick of the Brett Veach era to not make the active roster in his rookie season. Gotta believe the Chiefs want to see him develop on the P.S. if he can clear waivers.
The former K-State product seemed like a long shot in camp to make the team all along, but perhaps he’s someone to watch for a potential practice squad role.
The Blue Springs product was hoping to make it with his favorite team but it didn’t work out—at least at this point. He’s a good bet for the practice squad as a returner-in-waiting for Dave Toub.
Emmanuel Smith, LB
The linebacker competition came down to Smith, Cobb and Darius Harris. Smith will be a name recalled to the team if anything happens injury-wise on the depth chart.
The Chiefs have decided to part ways with their former sixth-round pick, at least at this point, and it will be interesting to see if someone else wants to take a flyer on the former Utah State standout.
Prince Tega Wanogho, OL
There’s a lot to like about the promising young tackle, but this Chiefs o-line was far too deep to keep him for now. Wait another year to see how things have shifted.
Tim Ward, DL
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list or one of them for sure. Ward looked like a man who had earned a spot on the defensive line. Instead, the Chiefs have to hope someone doesn’t claim this prototypical Spags d-end.
Chad Williams, WR
Williams has an impressive skill set that has tempted the Chiefs more than once, but he was unable to stick with the offense here.
Williams has already spent one season on the Chiefs practice squad and it looks like he could be headed for another, depending on how o-line depth shakes out and who else is claimed or not.
Bryan Witzmann, OL
The Chiefs brought back the familiar face of Bryan Witzmann this summer when injuries hurt the team’s o-line depth in training camp. Expect Witzmann’s name to resurface this season if the regular season takes a toll on the team’s depth once again.
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