Demone Harris release by KC Chiefs signals further defensive line changes

It looks like some sort of roster move is coming along the defensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs. Whether it’s major or minor, it’s good to see that at least something is happening.

Just a few days ago, the Kansas City Chiefs wanted to protect Demone Harris as a young defensive end on the team’s 16-man practice squad. On Monday, they decided to release him instead. With no corresponding roster move known at present, we can only assume that the Chiefs have something cooking and that the defensive line is involved. (Otherwise why ship off a guy who can fill in and be a rotational body at defensive end?)

On Sunday, the Chiefs fell to 3-4 overall after losing by 24 points to the Tennessee Titans. It was yet another game in which the Chiefs pass rush was non-existent. That somehow a defensive line with two linemen being paid $20 million each can have next to zero impact overall is maddening for fans to watch and it has to be even more so for coaches and players whose jobs are much harder because no one is getting after the opposing quarterback.

Demone Harris was just released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Frank Clark and Chris Jones certainly have the talent to improve, but so far, a half-season has gone by without much production at all. Mike Danna is producing at higher-than-expected levels, but he is the only bright spot at all up front for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs were previously rumored to have an interest in Whitney Mercilus but he signed with the Green Bay Packers. Perhaps there’s another free agent or trade target who has drawn the team’s eye. Or maybe this is just a move that signals the Chiefs are done with Demone Harris and nothing more.

Harris first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Buffalo with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He lasted there for a year and change before being released in 2019, when the Baltimore Ravens added him to their practice squad. The Chiefs added him a month later, and Harris has been a common name floating between the active roster and practice squad in parts of the last three seasons with 8 total appearances in that span of time.