We're big fans of the United Football League around here. Not only does the spring football league provide some actual on-the-field action during a long NFL offseason, but it also gives former favorites a chance to continue their careers.
The UFL is gearing up to play once again and several former members of the Kansas City Chiefs organization are dotting rosters around the league. While there are too many to list, we thought it prudent to at least highlight the most interesting or memorable players who you can catch on weekends this spring.
Cornell Powell, WR, DC Defenders
The Chiefs once invested a fifth-round choice in Cornell Powell when he was a late-blooming wide receiver prospect with the Clemson Tigers. While he was able to hang on in Kansas City for four seasons, largely on the practice squad, he was never able to find the same eventual momentum he found in college when a strong fifth-year senior season landed him on Brett Veach's radar in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Powell was permanently cut from the Chiefs' practice squad midway through the 2024 campaign, but the "late blooming" thing proved to be true—at least after he left the NFL. Powell found success with the DC Defenders one year ago with a league-leading 7 touchdown receptions, and now he's back with them once again in the spring league, hoping to build on his success. Fun note: Powell won a UFL championship last year, making him the first player to ever win a national championship in college, a Super Bowl ring in the NFL, and a UFL title.
Neil Farrell, DL, St. Louis Battlehawks
Perhaps the Chiefs should have known better than to bet on a Raiders castoff. At the time, however, the decision to trade a sixth-round choice to Las Vegas for defensive tackle Neil Farrell only one season into his career sounded like a savvy buy-low opportunity. After all, Farrell had three years left on his rookie deal and played a talent-starved position for K.C.
Farrell would make only three appearances for the Chiefs before being set aside. He was released and made his way to the Miami Dolphins for another year of minimal snaps in 7 games before finding himself out of the NFL entirely. It's an unfortunate and surprising end for the former fourth-round choice. However, Farrell is hoping a stint in St. Louis will provide a turning point in his professional football narrative.
Damon Arnette, CB, Houston Gamblers
Damon Arnette's career with the Chiefs was a very short yet memorable stint back in 2022 that lasted a total of eight days. At the time, he was a risk-reward bet on a former Raiders first-round choice who'd proven incapable of staying out of trouble. When he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, along with other charges, the Chiefs cut ties with him only one week after signing him in the first place.
Years away from football did Arnette some good off the field even as he remained effective on it. Arnette played some scintillating reps with the Gamblers a year ago, so it makes sense that they'd want him back. Arnette was also vocal about hoping for another chance at the NFL while being thankful for the opportunity to even play football again. Maybe another strong showing will do the trick.
Justyn Ross, WR, Birmingham Stallions
The Justyn Ross experiment seemed to go on forever in Kansas City. What began as a high-profile arrival as an undrafted free agent signing in 2022 officially ended last summer when the Chiefs cut ties with Ross after four unsuccessful attempts to make an impact in a wide receiver room looking for someone to stand out.
Injuries plagued him early in his Chiefs' career, but Ross didn't help himself with a battery charge that brought a suspension in 2024. Ross's total offensive output came down to six catches for 53 yards in 2023, a total that would have shocked Chiefs fans who were elated at his signing in '22. While others on this list have caught on for short stints with other NFL teams, the Stallions are the first team to give Ross a chance since he was cut by K.C.
Jordan Ta'amu, QB, DC Defenders
Give Jordan Ta'amu credit for having the talent and determination to continue to play professional football for as long as he can. While Ta'amu didn't make it in the NFL for too long, including a couple of short stays with the Chiefs in 2020 and 2021, Ta'amu has become one of the best players in UFL history, including an MVP trophy in last season's championship game.
Ta'amu has played in the UFL, the XFL, the USFL, and the NFL. The Canadian Football League is the only place Ta'amu hasn't suited up, so maybe that's next. Either way, we'd never bet against his athleticism.