Some old friends found their way to new teams after the NFL's deadline for active roster cuts came and went. Kansas City Chiefs fans will recognize plenty of familiar names in new places, whether via waiver claims or as free agent signings to fill out practice squads around the league.
This isn't a comprehensive list of every former Chiefs players who resurfaced on the other side of roster cuts, but we've got several notable players who warrant a mention.
Emari Demercado, RB
Any list of former Chiefs landing with new teams in 2026 has to start with one of the bigger surprise cuts. Emari Demercado signed with the Chiefs in the spring as a third-down option to go with Kenneth Walker in a remade running backs room. But after Brashard Smith looked better in the preseason and Emmett Johnson made his mark as the team's fifth-round rookie, the Chiefs decided to let Demercado walk. If they were hoping he'd slide through waivers, the Dallas Cowboys blew out those candles by claiming him on Monday.
Tre Watson, TE
Tre Watson passed through waivers and was reportedly given the chance to join the Chiefs practice squad for another year. However, the Miami Dolphins extended him the same offer and the chance to play a bigger potential role was too great for him to pass up.
Esa Pole, OT
At the end of the 2025 season, Esa Pole was largely viewed as a future swing tackle and strong undrafted signing who showed real promise in late-season starts. Then came a disappointing preseason campaign in which he lost ground to Kahlil Benson on the depth chart. The Chiefs lost Pole to the New York Jets last year at this time but signed him back by midseason. This time, it's the Washington Commanders who have gotten Pole to join the practice squad, a team with plenty of former Chiefs up front already in Andrew Wylie and Nick Allegretti.
Melvin Smith Jr., CB
The Titans are going to lean on former Chiefs for Mike Borgonzi's first few seasons at the personnel helm as general maanger, given his familiarity as K.C.'s former assistant GM. Smith didn't sign with the Chiefs until Borgonzi left, but rest assured, he's got an inside track on internal evaluations on the former small-school corner (Southern Arkansas). Smith was with the Chiefs for more than a year, after signing with the team as an undrafted FA in 2025. He should get a real chance for reps in Nashville.
Chu Godrick, OT
After a few seasons learning the ropes on the Chiefs' practice squad as the team's exemption via the IPP (International Pathways Program), Godrick might get a meaningful shot at more playing time for a talent-thin roster in Miami. The Dolphins claimed Godrick, who got his first real NFL starts late last season, after he was waived by the Chiefs. That means K.C. will only have 16 players on the practice squad.
Wanya Morris, OT
The Dallas Cowboys have given Wanya Morris his third home in the NFL by signing him to the practice squad on Monday. The former Chiefs offensive tackle was traded in June to the Atlanta Falcons, hardly the hope for a contract year. From there, the Falcons surprisingly released him before active rosters were due, making him available once again for his third team in three months.
Jake Haener, QB
The Chiefs flirted with former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener for a hot second on a futures deal earlier this year. However, he was cut shortly after the draft, with the arrival of Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round. Now the New York Giants have added him to their taxi squad after signing him in mid-August the first time around.
Malik Herring, DL
Malik Herring knows well how the roller coaster of roster cuts week can feel. He was often on the bubble with the Chiefs and was even released and re-signed as recently as last year. Borgonzi signed Herring to raise the floor of the Titans defensive end room but ultimately could not find a place for him on the active roster—at least to start. The Dolphins swooped in, perhaps giving him more of an opportunity than ever to earn playing time on such a thin roster.
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