A few minor transactions became official over Labor Day weekend for the Kansas City Chiefs. The most impactful might just help the team fill a couple openings on the practice squad—with just one player.
The Chiefs went into the weekend with the biggest group of player tryouts since rookie minicamp. Ten free agents worked out for K.C. on Friday with hopes of finding a home before the 2026 season officially begins. While there were players from both sides of the ball, the majority of them were tight ends and the Chiefs officially added Thomas Odukoya when the dust settled.
Odukoya was an interesting choice among the lot, and his one edge might have been the Chiefs' ability to add him without releasing another player that earned him the spot. As a member of the International Player Pathways program in years past, Odukoya, who is from Amsterdam, comes with a roster exemption that allows the team who signs him to carry 17 players instead of 16 on the practice.
The Tennessee Titans were Odukoya's first franchise after he starred at Eastern Michigan for three seasons, where he was both a team captain and third-team All-MAC performer as an outstanding blocker. He caught 13 passes for 130 yards in his final season with the Eagles before turning pro. The Titans signed him as an undrafted free agent, and he remained there for nearly four years, earning his first NFL action in 2024 in two appearances.
The Titans released Odukoya last summer, and he waited a couple of months before joining the New England Patriots' practice squad in October. But he landed on injured reserve in December before his contract expired in February. He's been a free agent ever since.
Not only is Odukoya interesting to the Chiefs as an "extra" player to have around, but it might not be difficult for the 29 year old to quickly prove himself as the team's best blocker at the position. The Chiefs' four-deep depth chart features one strong pass catcher after another, while the team's previous best, Tre Watson, recently left for an opportunity to join the Miami Dolphins practice squad—a roster with much easier chances of getting noticed.
After losing offensive tackle Chu Godrick, also to the Dolphins, the Chiefs were flying without an exemption for the first time in years. Now they've added another international player who might serve as a replacement for Watson. Together with newer signing Ben VanSumeren, who is primarily a fullback, the Chiefs have a couple of new imports to get to know at the position on the practice squad.
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