KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs parted ways, at least temporarily, with linebacker Cole Christiansen on Saturday as part of removing seven players from the roster to make space for 17 undrafted college free agents.
However, the Chiefs are interested in signing Christiansen back to the 90-player roster after this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
In March, the Chiefs extended Christiansen an exclusive rights tender offer of $985,000 based on his NFL service. While the 26-year-old Christiansen entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers, he has only accrued two years of NFL service.
By withdrawing the tender offer, the Chiefs have terminated their exclusive rights to Christiansen. He will become a free agent eligible to sign with any NFL club.
Christiansen joined the Chiefs in September 2022 after he was waived by the Chargers. He’s been virtually a constant presence on the Chiefs since as either a member of the active roster or practice squad. He’s played in six regular-season games for the Chiefs with all of his work coming on special teams, playing 41 snaps in those games.
During the team’s run to a Super Bowl LVIII championship last season, Christiansen played in three games as a four-phase special teams performer, playing 54 snaps — he’s now played more postseason snaps for the Chiefs than he has regular-season snaps. He had two special teams tackles in the team’s Divisional Round win over Buffalo. He’s earned two Super Bowl rings during his time with the Chiefs.
Christiansen suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Jets and was placed on the practice squad injured reserve list. He returned to action in December.
In four NFL seasons, Christiansen has played in 13 games with four special teams tackles, taking 153 regular-season snaps with the Chiefs and Chargers.
Christiansen was a three-year starter and two-time captain at Army where he played in 44 games over four seasons with 275 total tackles including 20 1/2 tackles for loss. He also tallied 3 1/2 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble while also breaking up five passes and blocking a kick. He ranks No. 11 in tackles by a player at an independent FBS school since 2005.
Before the NFL Draft in April 2020, Christiansen received a waiver allowing him to serve in the reserves and delay his active duty Army commitment until after his NFL career concludes. Graduates of West Point are obligated to serve a minimum of five years as commissioned officers following graduation. In 2022 Congress passed a law signed by President Joe Biden that prevents the Department of Defense from providing waivers for service academy graduates to delay their service commitments for professional sports careers.
