Chiefs Bring Back A Familiar Name As Camp Concerns Grow

In a strategic reshuffle, the Chiefs bolster both their offensive and defensive lines while addressing special teams needs ahead of the new season.

The Kansas City Chiefs kept busy with a set of roster moves aimed at tightening things up on both sides of the line.

On one front, the Chiefs added offensive lineman Kellen Diesch after working him out earlier this week and liking what they saw, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. To clear space, Kansas City waived fellow offensive lineman Matt Waletzdo.

The other move may matter even more right away. The Chiefs signed linebacker Cam Jones and waived defensive end Anthony Dunn to make it happen. Myles Simmons reported the transaction, noting that Jones was a key special teams contributor and another effort to bring back a familiar piece for this season.

Jones, 26, originally joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played in all 17 games for Kansas City in both 2023 and 2024 and was on the field for approximately two-thirds of the team’s special teams snaps, per Simmons.

After that, Jones moved on. He was released and signed with the New York Jets, appeared in ten games there, and was waived in December. He later signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants in March, only to be waived in late July.

The timing of the move makes sense after what the Chiefs showed in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, when they were burned on multiple returns. Kansas City also had its share of special teams struggles last season compared with its usual standard, so bringing back a player the team knows well fits the moment.

The offensive line addition comes against a different backdrop. Reports this week pointed to depth concerns up front, with Jesse Newell of The Athletic offering especially pointed concerns about the issue.

In Other News...

Kareem Hunt Could Become A Familiar Chiefs Problem In The AFC West

Kareem Hunts return to Kansas City in 2024 gave the Chiefs a familiar presence in the backfield and produced his best rushing totals since 2020, a reminder that he could still be useful in the right role. Even so, Kansas City chose not to bring him back for the 2025 season, leaving the veteran running back on the open market after a stretch in which his touches had steadily been trimmed.

Now there is at least a possibility that Hunt could end up in the AFC West again, this time with the Raiders, who could use a seasoned runner to complement rookie Ashton Jeanty. For Chiefs fans, the idea of Hunt staying in the division is the kind of subplot that always gets attention, especially when it involves a player who already knows Kansas Citys system and could wind up in a spot where he might matter again. [Read more 🡒]

Chiefs Roster Battle Could End Quickly For 3 Bubble Players

The Chiefs are moving toward the first big roster cutdown, and for a handful of players, the pressure is already building. After the preseason opener, Jason Brownlee, EJ Smith and Mason Pline have all been on the fringe in terms of playing time, a sign that each one still has work to do before Kansas City trims its offseason group from 90 players to 53.

The next preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now looms as a key chance to change that outlook. Brownlee, Smith and Pline are all in the same uneasy spot: limited snaps so far, uncertain roster odds and one more opportunity to make their case before the Chiefs have to start making hard decisions. [Read more 🡒]

Chiefs Fans Have One Chargers Cut To Watch Very Closely

As the Chargers work their way down to the 53-man roster, Kyle Kennard is the kind of player Kansas City Chiefs fans have reason to keep an eye on. The recent fourth-round pick arrived with a strong college rsum, but he has had limited opportunity as a rookie while Los Angeles sorts through a crowded defensive end picture and the usual August squeeze at the back end of the roster.

For the Chiefs, the interest goes beyond simple division rivalry. Their pass-rushing depth has been tested by injuries and uneven production, which means a young edge player with some pedigree could suddenly look a lot more attractive if he reaches waivers. Kennard may not be a headline name yet, but this is the kind of roster cutdown subplot that can matter in Kansas City if the right opening appears. [Read more 🡒]