Your Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to opening the 2024 NFL season against the Baltimore Ravens, but they’ve just tackled one of the most challenging hurdles: cutting down a 90-man roster to 53 players. This is no easy task, especially with the numerous variables that Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and his team must consider.
Tuesday afternoon's deadline has passed, leaving several players uncertain about their NFL futures. Chiefs fans now have the final roster cuts, with some fan favorites currently sitting on the waiver wire. While we don’t have a fly on the wall, it’s safe to say that these four players were among the toughest to cut this week.
CB Kelvin Joseph
Joseph had a strong case for making the roster, at least from an outsider's perspective. With experience levels similar to Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson, Joseph seemed like a logical choice to round out the group as another former high-round draft pick.
Missing the opening preseason game set him back, but two strong performances afterward showed promise. He led all Chiefs defensive backs in total tackles and even forced a fumble on a punt return against the Detroit Lions.
#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/DJNBkqXI0L
— Kelvin Joseph (@bossmanfat1) August 18, 2024
Ultimately, a few mental miscues and stronger performances from others led to Joseph being cut from the Chiefs' 53-man roster. His penalties in that same Lions play had fans calling for his job mid-game.
The Chiefs announced his departure well before Tuesday's deadline, which suggests Kansas City holds him in some regard by giving him a better chance to catch on with another team ahead of Week 1. Having played for three different NFC teams in the past two calendar years, searching for a new team has, unfortunately, become a familiar routine for the 24-year-old.
LB Swayze Bozeman
From his productive preseason to his "hair on fire" energy, Bozeman must have been a tough roster cut on Tuesday. The 2024 undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss did all the right things on the field, from rookie minicamp to the final preseason game. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to secure a coveted spot on the 53-man roster.
Bozeman is a solid inside thumper with draft-process metrics highlighting his promising athletic profile. He tied for the most combined tackles among all Chiefs defenders, thanks to extensive opportunities at middle linebacker. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo gave a pseudo-endorsement of Bozeman's work ethic and physical tools, indicating his potential.
"Swayze, like, hangs on to Jack Cochrane, he's right in his pocket all the time, and that's a good move by Swayze," Spagnuolo said. "Jack is real smart. Swayze's really kinda taken on that same thing, he's been physical out here, I'm anxious to see what he does."
However, Kansas City decided to carry only five linebackers on the final 53-man roster, with Cam Jones securing the last spot. If Bozeman clears waivers, he seems like a top candidate for the practice squad of the defending Super Bowl champions.
RB Louis Rees-Zammit
Chiefs fans knew that Rees-Zammit was a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect after transitioning from rugby. His athleticism, particularly his speed and agility, made him an intriguing option on special teams and in the offense. However, the learning curve from college football to the NFL is steep—let alone coming in with no organized football experience at all.
The Welsh rugby star saw preseason opportunities in the offensive backfield and the kick return game, where special teams coordinator Dave Toub recognized LRZ's starting potential. He returned two kicks, averaging 31.5 yards per return, and his five rushing attempts for 21 yards in the preseason finale marked his offensive highlight.
Kansas City, like any contending team, can't afford to forfeit roster spots based on a player's potential alone. That steep learning curve ultimately cost LRZ a spot on the 53-man roster, but his physical skill set should make him a priority for the practice squad. There, he can work on honing his technique and overall comfort in head coach Andy Reid's offense.
WR Nikko Remigio
With maligned wide receiver Kadarius Toney gone, Remigio seemed to have a sensible path to the Chiefs' 53-man roster. He’s looked like a solid WR6 option for two consecutive seasons, and Toub was supposedly "pounding the table" for him. However, Kansas City ultimately opted for the veteran presence of JuJu Smith-Schuster over the potential of the shifty Fresno State product.
Kansas City made sure to get Remigio the ball in a litany of ways this preseason. Whether it be in the passing game, return game, or even some rushing attempts, Remigio was a common offensive cog when on the field. His first-team work during camp this summer turned many heads as well, wondering if he could build upon an injury-shortened 2023 preseason.
The decision likely came down to Skyy Moore and Remigio, both fringe receiving options with some special teams value. Moore's draft status, familiarity with the team, and health probably gave him the edge over Remigio. However, the choice couldn't have been easy, given Remigio's higher ceiling in the return game.
A to Z Sports' Nick Roesch described Remigio as the probable "first man up" if he clears waivers and rejoins the Chiefs. While Remigio is a talented player, Kansas City's revamped receiving room likely made him the odd man out.