Every summer brings an inspiring story (or three) to the Kansas City Chiefs, of a player (or three) who has beaten the long odds against him by making the team's initial 53-man roster. Sometimes it's a long shot rookie who went undrafted just a few months prior; sometimes it's a journeyman who finally found the right fit as a late bloomer in the NFL.
Every summer also brings a disheartening turn (or three), a player (or three) who fails to live up to expectations. It's the aging veteran who's noticeably slower, the traits-based rookie who looks overmatched when the pads come on. In our vernacular, we'll call these winners and losers. Here's our rundown of the Chiefs preseason through this lens.
Winner: Jake Briningstool, TE
One year ago, Briningstool was the buzzworthy prospect who signed as a prized rookie free agent out of Clemson. But a preseason hamstring injury robbed him of any chance to compete with fourth-round pick Jared Wiley, and he was stashed on injured reserve. One year later, the Chiefs kept things chill at tight end, which gave the holdover competitors another year to suss things out. Briningstool had a strong preseason to claim a spot on the 53-man roster, muscling his way into the bigger picture and forcing a fourth TE onto the active roster. Big win.
Loser: Andrew Armstrong
The term "loser" here is Armstrong's, through no fault of his own. The physical wide receiver did nothing but put up a dazzling preseason performance that delivered eye-popping blocks and impressive sideline grabs. Armstrong is easily the biggest roster letdown for fans, and the fact that the Chiefs went with Nikko Remigio instead as WR6 is a head-scratcher. The offense deserves better and so did Armstrong. Hopefully we see him land on the practice squad.
Winner: Marcus Harris, DL
Marcus Harris is a former late-round choice of the Houston Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2025 alone, he spent time on the rosters of the Patriots, Bills, and a second stint with the Texans. The Chiefs signed him after a December tryout and provided a futures deal to keep him around for the '26 offseason. Sometimes it takes a while for a player to find his footing, but anyone who watched Harris in the Chiefs' preseason knows that he rose to the occasion. Harris might not be long for the active roster, especially when Norman-Lott is ready to take the field in October (hopefully), but those are worries for another time. Harris seized his moment and is now a member of the Chiefs' active roster.
Winner: Xavier Nwankpa, S
We're not sure how long Xavier Nwankpa might last on the roster, since so much can still change between the present and the Chiefs' season-opening game against the Denver Broncos. However, Nwankpa's ability to land an active roster spot as the fourth safety is a major achievement for a rookie free agent. At a position in which the Chiefs have often kept a veteran safety around (e.g., Mike Edwards), Nwankpa came in as a special teams maven from Iowa and earned his keep.
Winners: Emmett Johnson & Brashard Smith, RB
The Chiefs left Emari Demercado off the active roster and went with only three running backs, one of the bigger surprises of the active roster reveal. They felt comfortable doing that, knowing that Johnson and Smith were ready for greater levels of responsibility. Johnson was uber-productive at the collegiate level, so maybe it shouldn't surprise that he's been so adept at moving the chains in the preseason. As for Smith, he's a versatile weapon who should be the full-time returner as well as an improved runner.
Losers: O-line depth
That the Chiefs had to part with draft assets in two separate trades in order to bolster the roster is disconcerting. Of course, everyone is hoping that Joshua Edeuzu and Diego Pounds are meaningful additions, with the latter as a potential long-term play. However, the Chiefs felt desperate enough about the state of the second-string offensive line to reshuffle the roster, and that in itself is alarming. From silly mistakes to getting beat up front too often, the Chiefs had to do something in the trenches, which is frustrating that the holdovers couldn't make it work.
Loser: Esa Pole
We've said this a few times already but it's impossible to make a list of active roster winners and losers and not mention the presumed OT3 with the potential to start on the right side who fell off the side. Fans would love to see Pole back at least on the practice squad, but it was an unexpectedly frustrating offseason for a tackle who looked like he might be a diamond in the rough after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie one year ago.
Winner: Chris Jones
For years, the Chiefs pass rush could be quickly described as "Chris Jones & Co." That's not intended as a slight on George Karlaftis. Rather, it's just the reality of how dire things have looked around Jones on the interior and how much of the overall load he's carried in recent years. But with the arrival of R Mason Thomas and Peter Woods, the ceiling is considerably higher. The floor is as well with Khyiris Tonga installed as a major upgrade for the run defense. It will be exciting to see what Jones can do with so much more talent around him—and potentially a chance to rest for once.
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