The Chiefs are used to making hard calls, but this summer’s roster math could get especially uncomfortable. Kansas City has reloaded in a few key spots, and that means some familiar names - or at least some recently added ones - may not be around when Week 1 rolls in.
One of the most interesting battles sits in the backfield. The Chiefs overhauled that group with Patrick Mahomes coming off a major injury, clearly aiming to give him support while he works back into form.
Kenneth Walker, fresh off earning Super Bowl MVP, was brought in and paid like the lead back, which makes him the clear bell cow. Emari Demercado also arrived in free agency, Emmett Johnson was added in the draft, and Brashard Smith is another back the team likes.
That kind of depth can be a blessing, but it can also squeeze someone out. Johnson’s upside has generated real intrigue, and while Demercado looked like a natural backup addition when he signed, he could still wind up on the bubble. Kansas City may decide to keep only three running backs, and if that happens, Demercado is the one who could suddenly be on the outside looking in.
The same kind of squeeze could hit the receiver room. The Chiefs are still trying to get back to the kind of passing attack that once had Mahomes stacking 5,000-plus yards and 50-plus touchdowns. The offense hasn’t looked the same since Tyreek Hill left, but the team keeps pushing to restore that level of explosiveness.
There are reasons for optimism. Camp buzz has been strong around rookie Cyrus Allen, Rashee Rice’s off-field issues are hoped to be behind him, and the Chiefs still believe in former first-rounder Xavier Worthy. Tyquan Thorton has also shown he can fill a dependable role.
That leaves Andrew Armstrong in a shaky spot. Kansas City’s lone free-agent addition at receiver, the 2025 undrafted Arkansas product didn’t play last season and instead spent time on the Miami Dolphins’ offseason roster and the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. He remains unproven, and even after getting a contract from the Chiefs, he could still be one of the surprise cuts before the regular season.
The secondary is another area where the numbers and the depth chart may not line up neatly. Kansas City took a hit there this offseason after trading Trent McDuffie and watching Jaylen Watson leave for the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. That doesn’t automatically make Kristian Fulton safe.
Fulton has been limited through camp with a hip injury, and the Chiefs are expecting the L'Jarius Sneed of old. First-round pick Mansoor Delane has reportedly met expectations so far, and Fulton’s standing took another hit when he was buried down the depth chart in the Chiefs’ first preseason game. A cut would be a surprise, but it’s not hard to see how it could happen.
In Other News...
Chiefs WR Injuries Are Putting Real Pressure On Brett Veach
Training camp has already put the Chiefs receiver depth under a microscope, with a string of injuries forcing the position group into a precarious spot. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Cyrus Allen have all been dealing with issues, and Tyquan Thorntons departure from practice only adds to the sense that Kansas City is trying to manage a thin room while camp reps keep piling up.
The uncertainty gives Brett Veach a familiar sort of roster problem, the kind that can push a front office to revisit the veteran market before things get worse. Josh Reynolds remains available after drawing interest from the Chiefs before, and if the injuries continue to linger, Kansas City could have reason to see whether a proven stopgap makes more sense than waiting for the room to heal on its own. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Backfield Battle Behind Ken Walker Is Getting Hard To Ignore
The Chiefs running back room has turned into one of the more interesting little competitions of the preseason, with Ken Walker sitting atop the depth chart and a handful of challengers trying to make the picture less straightforward. Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson and Brashard Smith have all been part of the mix, and recent games and practices have shown Kansas City leaning into a rotation that keeps the reps flowing while the staff evaluates who can handle a bigger role.
Johnson has been the one drawing the most noticeable workload, while Demercado has seen less of the action, which only adds to the sense that this battle is still sorting itself out. Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy have both acknowledged the competition, and with more preseason snaps still ahead, the Chiefs should have a clearer read soon on how this backfield will settle behind Walker. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Inner Circle Had A Big Presence At Kelce And Swift Wedding
The Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding at Madison Square Garden in July drew plenty of attention far beyond the guest list, and it sounded like the Chiefs orbit was well represented. Daniel Hunt, the teams co-owner, said in a CBS News Texas interview that he was not invited, but he also made clear there were no hard feelings, especially with his brother Clark among those who did attend.
What stood out from Hunts account was how much of Kansas Citys inner circle showed up anyway, with teammates and coaches reportedly in the mix for the event. It is another reminder of how tightly woven Kelce remains into the organization even after recently signing a three-year contract extension, with the relationship between the star tight end and the franchise still very much intact. [Read more 🡒]