KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Friday night’s preseason finale against the Chicago Bears is the final opportunity for the 90 players on the Chiefs’ roster to make their final impression on the front office and coaching staff to make the team’s initial 53-player roster.
There are a couple of rules to keep in mind when building a 53-player roster. A new change for 2025 allows teams to place up two players on injured reserve during the reduction to 53 players who can be designated to return. In the past, players had to make the roster first, then be placed on injured reserve.
Also a reminder that players with fewer than four seasons accued must pass through waivers if released during the reduction to 53. Players with four or more seasons accrued become free agents immediately. That allows teams to still use a loophole if they need to place more than two players on injured reserve next week. A vested veteran (such as Mike Pennel or Robert Tonyan) can be released and immediately be re-signed the next day without being exposed to waivers.
Based upon observations during training camp, the first two preseason games, practices in Kansas City this week and interviews with individuals associated with the club, here’s where my projection for the initial 53-player roster.
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backup: Gardner Minshew
Practice squad: Chris Oladokun
In the mix: Bailey Zappe
Oladokun is more consistent and a better fit with the Kansas City offense than Zappe. The 26-year-old Zappe has more experience but continues to show questionable decision-making in the pocket.
Running Back (3)
Starter: Isiah Pacheco
Backups: Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith
Practice squad: Carson Steele
In the mix: Elijah Mitchell and Michael Wiley
The Chiefs will likely carry a fourth running back this season but that running back may not be on the roster right now. Steele could still find a way onto the initial 53-player roster beginning the season but it wouldn’t be a secure spot. He has value as a fullback, H-back and backup tight end as well as a four-phase special teams player, which is why he would be a valuable practice squad resource if he cleared waivers.
Wide Receiver (7)
Starter: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown
Backups: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton and Nikko Remigio
Practice squad candidates: Jason Brownlee, Mac Dalena and Jimmy Holiday
In the mix: Key’Shawn Smith, Elijah Badger and Hal Pressley
The potential seventh wide receiver slot remains very difficult to project. First there is no guarantee the Chiefs carry a seventh receiver, and secondly, Remigio and Brownlee both offer compelling cases. Ultimately, the Chiefs don’t have a reliable punt returner on the roster, which gives Remigio the edge here.
Tight End (4)
Starter: Travis Kelce
Backups: Noah Gray, Jared Wiley and Robert Tonyan
Practice squad candidates: Tre Watson
In the mix: Geor’Quarius Spivey
Injured reserve: Jake Briningstool (projected)
Briningstool won’t play Friday against the Bears and doesn’t appear all the way back from his hamstring injury, which makes an injured reserve stint appropriate. Wiley could also fall onto the injured reserve since he still looks limited in his return from a torn ACL last year. Tonyan has earned his spot.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: LT Josh Simmons, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Jawaan Taylor
Backups: T/G Jaylon Moore, G/C Mike Caliendo, C/G Hunter Nourzad and T Wanya Morris
Practice squad candidates: T Esa Pole, C.J. Hanson and T Chukwuebuka Godrick
In the mix: G Dalton Cooper and C Joey Lombard
Non-Football Illness: T Ethan Driskell (projected)
Keeping seven wide receivers and four tight ends means one fewer elsewhere, and that’s where a 10th offensive lineman gets left off the 53. If the Chiefs keep 10, pencil in undrafted free agent tackle Pole onto the roster. Driskell hasn’t returned since his appendectomy, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t start the season on the NFI list.
Defensive Line (9)
Starter: DE George Karlaftis, DT Chris Jones, DT Mike Pennel and DE Mike Danna
Backups: DE Charles Omenihu, DT Omarr Norman-Lott, DT Jerry Tillery, DE Ashton Gillotte and DT Marlon Tuipulotu
Practice squad candidates: DE Malik Herring, DT Coziah Izzard and DT Fabien Lovett
In the mix: DE Owen Carney and DE Nate Matlack
Injured reserve: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah and DE Janarius Robinson
The loss of Anudike-Uzomah complicates the bottom of the roster, and surprisingly, a defensive tackle might take his place. The Chiefs lack a true backup behind Pennel as a legitimate nose tackle, and Tuipulotu earns the edge over Lovett and Izzard. A sleeper candidate: former Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi appears on the wrong side of the roster bubble with the New York Jets and could return to KC via a trade or free agency.
Linebackers (6)
Starters: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal
Backups: Jeffrey Bassa, Cam Jones and Cooper McDonald
Practice squad candidates: Cole Christiansen and Brandon George
In the mix: Xander Mueller
Injured reserve: Jack Cochrane (projected)
The best story in camp nobody is talking about is McDonald, who was a tryout player from TCU at the team’s rookie minicamp and has stacked day after day to climb the depth chart. If Cochrane starts the season on injured reserve with a knee bone bruise, it opens up a spot for McDonald.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Trent McDuffie and Kristian Fulton
Backups: Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson, Nohl Williams and Joshua Williams
Practice squad: Melvin Smith Jr.
In the mix: Kevin Knowles, Ajani Carter and Azizi Hearn
Williams is the ultimate bubble player for the Chiefs, who could land on the roster, become a surprise cut, or find a new home via trade. The injury of safety Mike Edward along with the array of injuries at cornerback might make a spot for Williams.
Safety (4)
Starters: Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner
Backups: Jaden Hicks and Chris Roland-Wallace
Practice squad: Glendon Miller and Major Williams
In the mix: Jacobe Covington
Injured reserve: Mike Edwards (projected) and Deon Bush
Edwards isn’t expected to be out long term, but starting him on injured reserve would free up a roster spot for an extra cornerback.
Specialist (3)
Starters: K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza and LS James Winchester
As long as there are no injuries, nothing changes here.
