Here's an ongoing list of roster cuts as the Chiefs trim their total players down to 53.
It's a difficult time of year for the Kansas City Chiefs, as it is with every NFL franchise, with active roster cuts due by the league's mandated deadline of Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. C.T.
For front offices, the frenzy before roster cuts forces tough decisions as to how many players to keep at various positions, which will undoubtedly leave talented players on the outside looking in. It's balancing long-term value with short-term goals all while keeping the roster balanced, the coaches happy, and the salary cap followed.
It's especially rough on players, considering hundreds and hundreds of them will be made free agents in a matter of hours. Pink slips are handed out like Halloween candy, and dreams of playing professional football will soon come to an end. That's a hard road to walk for not only the players but their families as well.
For the Chiefs, the shift from 90 to 53 players (see our roster projection here) will see some fan favorites (and coaching favorites) left on the outside of the active roster. At that point, Chiefs Kingdom can only hope those player slip through waivers and find their way back onto the team's practice squad, which can employ 16 more.
Here's a rundown of Chiefs roster cuts as they happen.
Robert Tonyan, TE
This is the roster cut that no one saw coming. Tonyan did everything a man has to do to make the Chiefs, but the numbers somehow didn't compute. No one on this list deserves a spot more.
Mike Pennel, DL
The trade for Derrick Nnadi somehow did Pennel in. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see Pennel resurface with the Chiefs this season, perhaps even soon. For now, however, Pennel is among the more surprising roster cuts.
Joey Lombard, OL
Lombard hoped to be another South Dakota grad to make the leap as a rookie free agent—along with linebacker Jack Cochrane—but that’s a long shot. Could be a surprise practice squad player depending on how the Chiefs view his competitors internally.
Fabien Lovett, DL
The FSU prospect had an open door before him this preseason to aid the Chiefs' vision of solidifying the run. The Derrick Nnadi reunion says everything about that, but Lovett is a solid bet for another year on the PS.
Glendon Miller, DB
A physical DB out of Maryland, Miller joined the Chiefs as a split safety. Could be a candidate for the PS over some others at his level.
Xander Mueller, LB
A late camp signing at a rather stocked position, it’s hard to see Mueller making the practice squad unless he was able to truly turn heads so late in the preseason.
Esa Pole, OT
The Chiefs really like what they have in Pole, and he was likely a real consideration for the roster despite being a rookie free agent. The Washington State product didn’t allow a single pressure in preseason play.
Jimmy Holiday, WR
A great bet for the practice squad. Holiday came on strong, and while he started too far down the pole for any realistic roster consideration, he’s a long-term play to watch.
Key’Shawn Smith, WR
The Chiefs like Smith, but as a later signee and with so much competition, it’s more likely that Brashard Smith’s former teammate at SMU is gone for good at this point.
Major Williams, DB
Major Williams began his collegiate career at Virginia before transferring to DII Carson-Newman, where he became a star in the secondary. He had 4 interceptions and 22.5 tackles for loss over three seasons.
Geor’Quarius Spivey, TE
Not only did the Chiefs have the TE depth chart locked up some time ago with veterans, but there are multiple rookies who excite the coaches here. Spivey has the lowest stock of all.
Michael Wiley, RB
Some roster cuts were obvious and Michael Wiley, a running back who signed late in the preseason and received a single carry in the final game, was one of them.
Mac Delana, WR
A good bet for the practice squad, Delana profiles as a solid returner option who has good experience outside and inside as a sure-handed yet small receiver from Fresno State.
Jacobe Covington, DB
Covington came to the Chiefs as a former USC player who saw extensive work on special teams and in a variety of roles in the secondary. His versatility might be his calling card, but his road likely stops here.
Ajani Carter, DB
After four years at Utah State, Carter transferred to Houston last year where he had 22 tackles and 3 pass deflections. Signed late in the summer along with Azizi Hearn.
Azizi Hearn, DB
Hearn was a training camp signing to fill the place of other injured corners like Eric Scott and Darius Rush. Has spent time with the Raiders, Panthers, Patriots, and Giants since entering the league in 2023.
Owen Carney, DL
Carney’s second stint with the Chiefs ends quietly here, but he’s clearly in Veach’s radar as a potential call in case of depth concerns at defensive end.
Elihjah Badger, WR
Badger came in with more buzz than any other pass catcher in this year’s rookie free agent crop, but the camp reports and preseason performances never measured up. Perhaps the potential play here will keep him in view of a practice squad role.
Chris Oladokun, QB
This is the roster cut with the least mystery involved in all aspects. Oladokun was always destined for the practice squad and will serve as a scout team QB once again in 2025.
C.J. Hanson, OL
Last year, the Chiefs invested a seventh-round choice in Hanson, a Holy Cross product with elite metrics. Whether it ever comes together at the pro level is a long shot but it was a risk worth taking (and watching).
Melvin Smith, CB
Former star at Southern Arkansas who was a two-time All-Great American Conference player, Smith was hoping to impress coaches enough to make the leap from small school to NFL.
Cam Jones, LB
Jones would have stuck if Jack Cochrane's injury was more serious and/or if Cooper McDonald hadn't made such a strong effort. Instead, Jones is on the outside looking in. A lock for the practice squad if he slips through waivers.
Marlon Tuipulotu, DL
Tuipulotu was a casualty of K.C.'s decision to bring back Derrick Nnadi. If he wants to return, he'll undoubtedly be given a spot on the practice squad with likely call-ups ahead this season.
Tre Watson, TE
Watson was always in the shadow of Jake Briningstool as a UDFA tight end, but the athletic profile was something to mold despite middling numbers at Texas A&M a year ago.
Cole Christiansen, LB
Christiansen has been here before as a practice squad player elevated for a few game days for his special teams experience. That’s likely to be the case again in 2025.
Coziah Izzard, DT
A Penn State product who could never blossom into more than a rotational piece, Izzard had a strong pro day and stayed on the Chiefs’ offseason roster for the entire summer. Could be a developmental play after his final collegiate season was marred by injuries.
Chu Godrick, OT
The Chiefs have an international exemption here, so it’s likely that we see Godrick stick on the practice squad for now.
Carson Steele, RB
The numbers simply didn’t work in Steele’s favor to keep him around, which is a shame after starring as a preseason surprise one year ago. Expect him to stick around on the practice squad.
Esa Pole, OT
The Chiefs really like what they have in Pole, and he was likely a real consideration for the roster despite being a rookie free agent. The Washington State product didn’t allow a single pressure in preseason play.
Nate Matlack, DL
The former K-State player transferred to Pitt to enhance his pro chances. He showed the ability to pressure but often struggled to finish, but the Chiefs liked the potential enough for a closer look in camp.
Kevin Knowles, CB
This one is a real surprise given how much favor he seemed to earn from Dave Toub on special teams, especially. A strong preseason performer, expect Knowles to land on the practice squad if he's not claimed.
Mike Edwards, S
The Chiefs' decision to cut Edwards is intriguing, given that he was considered a favorite for most of the preseason for the fourth safety role. After losing Deon Bush to a season-ending injury, it looked like Edwards to win. The Chiefs would likely love to have him back on the PS.
Hal Presley, WR
It's hard to say much about Presley given that he had a single catch in the final preseason game and a short run with the team overall. Presley, a Baylor grad, signed shortly before the Chiefs headed to St, Joseph after an unsuccessful tryout with the Buffalo Bills.
Dalton Cooper, OL
Cooper was never in serious conversation to make the active roster, but that doesn't mean he's not creeping closer. The team doesn't seem overly enamored with those who are likely to make it (read: Hunter Nourzad, et al), so if Cooper stays the course, he could be a name to watch for 2026.
Bailey Zappe, QB
The Chiefs cut ties with Zappe after a pretty disastrous preseason showing overall, making it clear that Chris Oladokun is going to win out as the scout team quarterback once again.