KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Here’s the Chiefs complete initial 53-player roster starting the 2024 season:
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backup: Carson Wentz
Waived: Chris Oladokun and Ian Book
No surprises here. The only stunner would be if Oladokun doesn’t return on the practice squad. He’s well-versed in the offense and has an aggressive mentality to go with a strong arm. No one in the quarterback room works harder than him, and Oladokun continues improving. He’s also an excellent scout team quarterback to pair with Wentz as Oladokun can mimic Lamar Jackson and other mobile passers.
Running back (3)
Starters: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Carson Steele and Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Waived: Deneric Prince, Louis Rees-Zammit, Keontay Ingram and Emani Bailey
Minor upset the Chiefs go with only three running backs — for now. General manager Brett Veach may have his eye on a free agent or waiver wire claim to add to the backfield and could look behind Prince, Ingram and Bailey for practice squad talent. Expect Rees-Zammit to continue his tutelage in American football in Kansas City if he clears waivers.
Wide Receiver (7)
Starters: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy
Backups: Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster
Waived: Kadarius Toney, Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio, Montrell Washington, Cornell Powell, Phillip Brooks, Kyle Sheets and Jaaron Hayek
The pieces of the receiver room fell into place quickly with the return Monday of Smith-Schuster via free agency. Toney never found his rhythm during training camp and the preseason and Ross is still picking up the offense. Remigio may simply need more seasoning and recovery time after a year off the field due to shoulder surgery. Washington is an underrated deep ball receiver and return specialist. Powell has been a stalwart on the practice squad for three seasons and could extend his stay.
Tight End (4)
Starter: Travis Kelce
Backups: Noah Gray, Jared Wiley and Peyton Hendershot
Waived: Baylor Cupp and Geor’Quarius Spivey
Released: Irv Smith Jr.
The trade for Hendershot from Dallas shook up the tight end group Tuesday but it should improve the special teams unit. The question is whether tight ends coach Tom Melvin and the Chiefs offense can help Hendershot rediscover the potential he showed as a rookie in 2022. Cupp is deserving of a practice squad spot, and perhaps Smith can return in one of the veteran slots.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: LT Kingsley Suamataia, LG Joe Thuney, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith and RT Jawaan Taylor
Backups: OT Wanya Morris, G/C Mike Caliendo, C/G Hunter Nourzad, OG C.J. Hanson and OT Ethan Driskell
Waived: OT Lucas Niang, OT Chukwuebuka Godrick, OG Nick Torres and OL Griffin McDowell
Undrafted free agent Driskell arrived from Marshall in May and impressed Kansas City coaches on day one, starting a journey that finishes with him edging out the 2020 third-round pick Niang for a backup tackle job. There may be pressure on Driskell on day one with Morris battling a bone bruise. Morris and Caliendo supply the starting experience but the Chiefs are betting on the future with a third-year undrafted free agent (Caliendo), a 2023 third-round pick (Morris), two 2024 selections (Nourzad and Hanson) and a rookie free agent (Driskell) backing up the starters for a team with Super Bowl expectations.
Defensive Line (9)
Starters: DE George Karlaftis, DT Chris Jones, DT Mike Pennel and DE Mike Danna
Backups: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DT Tershawn Wharton, DE Malik Herring, DT Derrick Nnadi and DE Cameron Thomas
Waived: DT Neil Farrell, DT Fabien Lovett, DE Truman Jones, DT Alex Gubner and DE Owen Carney
Released: DT Matt Dickerson
Physically Unable to Perform List: DE Charles Omenihu
Non-football Injury List: DE BJ Thompson
The starting four looks strong but injuries could quickly challenge this unit’s depth. The Chiefs need Thomas to get ready to play quickly, and the depth on the interior is concerning with 10-year veteran Pennel in his age-33 season the potential starter and Nnadi still working his way back from offseason triceps surgery. Not so bold prediction: a player not on the current 53-player roster will take the field at defensive tackle for this team in Week 1 against Baltimore, whether it’s a practice squad elevation or an addition through free agency or waivers.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: SLB Leo Chenal, MLB Nick Bolton and WLB Drue Tranquill
Backups: MLB/OLB Jack Cochrane and OLB/MLB Cam Jones
Waived: OLB Curtis Jacobs and OLB Swayze Bozeman
Released: OLB Cole Christiansen
This room shook out as expected with Cochrane and Jones earning the backup roles. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jacobs, Bozeman and Christiansen all land on the practice squad. Jacobs and Bozeman must clear waivers, however, and that might be a concern. If two of those players return to the practice squad, the Chiefs will be happy with the outcome. The Chiefs don’t have concerns about Bolton’s left elbow injury but Tranquill, Cochrane and Jones can all play the Mike linebacker role if needed.
Cornerback (5)
Starters: Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson
Backups: Nazeeh Johnson, Joshua Williams and Nic Jones
Waived Keith Taylor, Kamal Hadden, Ekow Boye-Doe, Miles Battle and Kelvin Joseph
Jones entered training camp as a consensus pick for the 53-player roster but struggled at times during the preseason opening the door for Taylor and Joseph but neither one could seal the deal. Special teams again likely played a role in Jones winning the No. 5 cornerback role. With Johnson and Williams battling injuries, the Chiefs need Jones early in the season as a gunner on special teams. Hadden, a sixth-round draft pick, is the only member of the 2024 draft class who failed to make the roster. He needs more seasoning and experience but his knack for the ball is a trait the Chiefs need and he’s the prototypical Chiefs corner physically but must develop consistency.
Safety (5)
Starters: Justin Reid and Bryan Cook
Backups: Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks and Chris Roland-Wallace
Waived: D.J. Miller and Tyree Gillespie
Released: Deon Bush
The meteoric rise of Steele at running back and Driskell beating out Niang somewhat overshadowed Roland-Wallace winning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent yet his journey might be the most impressive. Roland-Wallace spent four seasons at Arizona before transferring to USC, spending his entire college career at corner. The Chiefs converted him to safety during the offseason and the move paid big dividends. He can play multiple roles in the backfield between the slot and the backend. Keeping him on the 53 should allow the club to sign to the practice squad Bush, who as a vested veteran doesn’t have to clear waivers. This might be the deepest position group on the team.
Specialist (3)
Starters: K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza and LS James Winchester
Waived: LS Randen Plattner
Winchester has returned to practice and appears ready to snap in Week 1 against Baltimore with no issues.
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Chiefs Trade for TE Peyton Hendershot
General manager Brett Veach made another trade less than an hour before the roster deadline, sending a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to Dallas for tight end Peyton Hendershot.
The 25-year-old Hendershot entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from Indiana in 2022 with the Cowboys, and has 15 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns in 25 games the past two seasons. He also rushed for a 2-yard touchdown. He’s also a much more prolific special teams player than Irv Smith Jr., the tight end he’s replacing on the 53-player roster. Hendershot has played 400 special teams snaps over the past two seasons, while Smith played just 27 over the past four campaigns.
Rookie Safety Roland-Wallace Cracks 53
On a day when it’s mostly bad news delivered to players, there are occasional breakout stories of undrafted rookies winning jobs on the active roster. Carson Steele will be one of those players Tuesday.
Another is Chris Roland-Wallace, who has made Kansas City’s initial 53-player roster as a defensive back. The former college corner at Arizona and USC converted to safety when signing with the Chiefs after the draft, and he slowly but steadily climbed his way up the depth chart. He’ll start the season as the team’s No. 5 safety but also has cornerback versatility, especially as a nickel corner.
Oladokun Waived, Likely No. 3 QB on Practice Squad
The Chiefs won’t be carrying three quarterbacks on the active roster after placing Chris Oladokun on waivers. Oladokun prevailed in the battle for the No. 3 quarterback role over Ian Book and appeared ticketed for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
In addition to backing up Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz, Oladokun is an invaluable member of the club’s scout team, particularly when the Chiefs face teams with mobile quarterbacks such as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Oladokun played the role of Jackson on scout team last January ahead of the AFC Championship game.
Prince, Bozeman Waived
Running back Deneric Prince and undrafted free agent linebacker Swayze Bozeman are the latest cuts for the Chiefs.
Prince dropped on the depth chart behind rookie Carson Steele and appeared to be battling for the third or fourth spot in the backfield along with Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Bozeman had a strong training camp but faced tough competition for a sixth linebacker spot from fellow undrafted rookie free agent Curtis Jacobs and veteran Cole Christiansen.
Chiefs Waive Rugby Star
It’s not a huge surprise that Louis Rees-Zammit won’t make the Chiefs’ initial 53-player roster but it’s notable they are placing him on waivers rather than choosing another option.
The club could have played Rees-Zammit on injured reserve, either for the season as a red-shirt year or with a designation to return later in the season. Placing him on waivers means all 31 other NFL teams can claim the former rugby start and place him on their 53-player roster. He was not waived with an injury designation a source confirms, so if he clears waivers he will become a free agent able to sign with any team, including Kansas City’s practice squad.
The Chiefs are betting another club won’t do that and they can add him to their practice squad. While Rees-Zammit is a natural athlete and a prospect worth developing, the consensus is that he’s not ready for more than a role as a kick return specialist for now.
KC Waives Justyn Ross
Kansas City first waived Kadarius Toney, and next up is receiver Justyn Ross, who won’t be on the team’s initial 53-player roster. The addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster on Monday bumped Ross off the roster bubble, who is certainly a practice squad candidate if he clears waivers.
It’s expected the Chiefs will keep seven receivers with Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and Smith-Schuster.
Kadarius Toney Placed on Waivers
Kadarius Toney’s time in Kansas City has come to a close as the club has placed the receiver on waivers.
Toney remains on his rookie contract which includes a $2.53 million guaranteed salary for 2024. If another club claims Toney, they assume the cap hit for the upcoming season. If not, the Chiefs are on the hook. It’s not clear if any offsets would allow the Chiefs to recoup a rebate based on a contract Toney signs with another club as a free agent.
KC Waives Irv Smith Jr.
The Chiefs have parted ways with veteran tight end Irv Smith Jr., according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith was vying for a potential fourth tight end position behind Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley. It’s still possible Smith could land on the practice in one of the veteran slots. The Chiefs also have a potential practice squad candidate in undrafted free agent Baylor Cupp.
Rees-Zammit Out with Back Injury
Running back Louis Rees-Zammit and safety Tyree Gillespie were the only players missing from Chiefs practice Tuesday. Rees-Zammit was limited Monday due to what the club termed a back issue. Gillespie has not practiced the past two days but the team didn’t report an injury for him.
As of 11:30 a.m. central time Tuesday, the Chiefs have 80 players on the roster including the additions of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and defensive end Cameron Thomas.
The club expects to move defensive ends Charles Omenihu (physically unable to perform) and BJ Thompson (non-football injury) to the regular-season versions of those lists, leaving the club at 78 players. They must be down to 53 by 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Monday Moves
The Chiefs made their first wave of roster moves with 13 players absent from practice Monday morning.
The complete list of players includes:
- QB Ian Book
- WR Kyle Sheets
- WR Phillip Brooks
- TE Geor’Quarius Spivey
- OL Griffin McDowell
- OG Nick Torres
- DE Owen Carney
- DT Alex Gubner
- CB Ekow Boye-Doe
- CB Kelvin Joseph
- CB Miles Battle
- S Tyree Gillespie
- LS Randen Plattner
Gillespie was not seen at practice Monday but was not included on the team’s first list of cuts.
That leaves the Chiefs with 79 players on the active roster. The club is expected to move defensive ends Charles Omenihu (physically unable to perform list) and BJ Thompson (non-football injury list) to the in-season version of those lists. That would leave Kansas City with 76 players on the roster, needing to make 23 more moves to get down the league-mandated 53 players before 3 p.m. central time Tuesday afternoon.
The 76 players on the roster includes wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who rejoined the Chiefs Monday and took part in the club’s morning practice.
