KC Chiefs put in failed waiver claim on Eno Benjamin

The Kansas City Chiefs put in a failed waiver claim on former Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin this week.

It’s always interesting to see not only where a player goes when released by his former team, but what other teams were potentially interested in claiming that player when placed on waiveres. This week we learned that the Kansas City Chiefs were among the teams trying to get running back Eno Benjamin added to the active roster.

Earlier this week, the Arizona Cardinals released Benjamin in a bit of a surprising move to release Benjamin, who was the team’s primary backup for running back James Conner. Benjamin had proven to be productive behind Conner, and it’s not as if the lead back here is known for his durability. That said, the Cards cut ties with him after he reportedly complained to the coaching staff about the way he was being used.

The Cardinals will now search for other answers behind Conner in the hope that peace will prevail. But other teams wanted a bit of that production from Benjamin, and ESPN reporter Field Yates says the Chiefs were one of four interested teams—a list that also included the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints. The Texans ended up winning out since their record is the worst of all parties submitting a claim.

Benjamin had 70 carries for 299 yards and 2 scores and another 214 receiving yards on 19 catches for the Cardinals so far this year. He joined them as their seventh-round selection back in the 2020 NFL Draft.

As for the Chiefs’ interest and what that means, we can draw a few conclusions:

1. The Chiefs will never stop scouring the league for talent even as they are in the AFC lead and they’re looking at a back at a position that’s already wondering what they’re doing with other talented players like Ronald Jones and even Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
2. Ronald Jones would have likely gotten his release he wanted in this instance, as the Chiefs would have replaced him (assumedly) with Benjamin—giving them the security they want at the position and Jones his freedom.
3. Fans hoping the Chiefs will eventually land such a late-season veteran addition shouldn’t stay up waiting on the news. The Chiefs are so far down the pecking order to earn that right, and many contenders will likely claim a guy to keep a team like the Chiefs from being able to claim him.
4. It’s interesting that Benjamin wanted more playing time and was causing dissension and the Chiefs chased him anyway. It’s not as if the Chiefs have a ton to offer there, which shows how much Brett Veach trusts the organizational culture to assuage a lot of concerns.