Former KC Chiefs players earn roles on new franchises in 2021

Several familiar faces to K.C. Chiefs fans have been able to further their careers in 2021 when, just a few weeks ago, they might have doubted whether or not their professional football careers could continue.

As veterans make their way to the active rosters of teams after Week 1, when veteran contracts are no longer guaranteed, we’re seeing new opportunities given to old friends. Let’s give the latest rundown of where former Chiefs players are now employed.

Austin Reiter

The good news for those former members of Chiefs Kingdom begins this week with word that center Austin Reiter has been elevated to the New Orleans Saints active roster.

Reiter signed with the Saints after visiting them on a free agent workout after the team lost starting center Erik McCoy to a calf strain. It’s uncertain how much time he will miss, but he’s at least out this week and the team promoted Reiter to the active roster in response from the practice squad.

It was surprising to us just how long it took Reiter to find a new job considering he’s held down the starting center role for the Chiefs over each of the last two seasons and comes with championship experience.

Adrian Colbert

If you remember Colbert’s tenure with the Chiefs, then consider yourself a diehard fan. The Chiefs signed Colbert in late August last summer only to them release him by roster cuts in early September. It’s been a common theme for Colbert to latch on for short stints with NFL teams ever since he was the seventh round selection of the San Francisco 49ers back in 2017. Since then, he’s played for the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants and, as of now, the New York Jets.

Fortunately for Colbert, he’s earned a very real opportunity to make his mark on a young Jets defense led by his former defensive coordinator with the 49ers in Robert Sales. And Colbert was activated from the practice squad as of Saturday.

Antonio Hamilton

The Chiefs inked a deal with Antonio Hamilton as a free agent last year to serve as a super special teams player, the sort of core four player coveted by Dave Toub. Hamilton signed with the Chiefs after two year stints with both the Raiders and the Giants. This offseason, Hamilton got another year in the league, or so he thought, after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was cut in August and was left to wonder what was next.

Fortunately the Arizona Cardinals came calling pretty quickly and signed him to their practice squad. Now he’s been elevated for game day and it’s possible he sticks as an extra pass defender and special teams player.