The Kansas City Chiefs have signed another player to a reserve/futures deal that keeps an intriguing receiver in the plans for the 2026 roster. With the re-signing of wideout Jason Brownlee, the Chiefs might see him make a leap forward after having a full season with the team.
Brownlee was officially added for the coming offseason on Monday and will apply to the 90-man roster once the new league year begins.
The Chiefs added Brownlee the first time shortly after the 2024 regular season concluded on the New York Jets. At that point, Brownlee had a choice to remain with the team after two full seasons. Instead, Brownlee decided a change of scenery was in order, and he signed with Kansas City in order to make his case in Andy Reid's offense.
The Chiefs liked what they saw in preseason action from Brownlee enough to keep him on the active roster, which was a major surprise at the time. Not that Brownlee's ability to impress coaches was a big secret; rather, the Chiefs decided to carry eight wide receivers coming into the regular season in order to deal with Rashee Rice's suspension. That's a lot for K.C. compared to previous seasons.
Brownlee's ability to force a crowded WR room speaks to just how highly the organization thinks of him. With the Jets he was earning the same praise as a preseason sensation, and he was able to earn playing time in seven games that year. In 2024, however, Brownlee was relegated to the practice squad and it seemed as if his window had closed given his place on the depth chart.
The Chiefs have brought back a familiar face, and a second season in K.C. could work wonders for Jason Brownlee's career (and the team).
With K.C., Brownlee became a training camp surprise along with Tyquan Thornton at wideout and both receivers earned a place on the active roster. Brownlee would go on to appear in six games for the Chiefs, but with only 26 snaps on offense, there wasn't a chance to make any tangible impact. He finished the season without a single target to his name.
That said, Brownlee's chances could look a lot different in 2026. First of all, he comes in knowing the coaches and the playbook. The history is there. His ability to build on that solid foundation already gives him a leg up on any competition coming in.
In addition, the Chiefs are looking thin at wide receiver as it is. Tyquan Thornton is a free agent. JuJu Smith-Schuster is hitting the market, too. Rashee Rice is back but was already facing a bit of drama already this offseason, while Xavier Worthy is hoping to heal from lingering injuries that plagued him in '25. Jalen Royals is still a complete unknown after largely sitting through a redshirt rookie year.
In short, there's not a lot for the Chiefs to count on in the WR room going forward. There's potential, to be sure, but K.C. can't afford to ignore the position. While that likely means multiple investments are coming, Brownlee's experienced presence might give the Chiefs something they're counting on instead of viewing him as a roster flyer trying to stand out.