The Tilt-A-Whirl known as the NFL roster cuts deadline sent several players spinning in various directions. A few ended up landing with the Kansas City Chiefs, but some others also landed with other teams as every franchise submitted waiver claims in the wake of paring down active rosters from 90 to 53.
In the maelstrom of activity, the Chiefs saw former cornerback Melvin Smith Jr. leave to become a member of the Tennessee Titans after releasing him from the offseason roster. On Thursday, the Titans officially sent Smith back to the waiver wire.
Smith was the odd man out after the Titans realized they could sign Jaylon Jones to the roster. The Indianapolis Colts waived Jones earlier this week, cutting ties with their 2023 seventh-round pick. While the Titans obviously like Smith's developmental potential, Jones brings 29 games of starting experience and special teams depth from an AFC South rival.
Now that Smith is back in the "readily available" stack, the Chiefs have the chance to add him again—should they desire to find him a place on the 53-man roster after all. General manager Brett Veach has the privilege of sitting at No. 9 in the waiver wire order and will stay there through at least Week 3.
The move to bring back Smith is unlikely, however. The Chiefs already made their decision less than two weeks ago, so any shift in thinking feels like a stretch. It's quite possible—even probable—that the team would like to see Smith back on the practice squad, but that means every team has to pass on a claim and that Smith wants to return to K.C. The Titans might have a deal in place for him to stick around on the taxi squad if he slips through.
Smith tried out for the Chiefs at rookie minicamp after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft and earned a contract in the process. The two-time Division II All-American put up strong performances for Southern Arkansas, but that wasn't enough to earn him more than an opportunity in K.C. He took full advantage, however, and remained in orbit on the practice squad for the rest of the year and a futures deal for 2026 as well.
The good news for Smith is that he won't be short on opportunities. The Chiefs and Titans have already proven interested, and practice squad spots could await him going into Week 1. It's also possible that another team further down the waiver order has been waiting for him all along.
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