The Chiefs made room for Josh Downs by trimming two names off the roster Wednesday, parting with defensive end Jack Pyburn and returner Nikko Remigio in a move that came as Kansas City continues reshaping things ahead of Week 10.
The roster shuffle followed Tuesday’s midseason trade deadline deal with the Indianapolis Colts, in which the Chiefs sent fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft to land Downs and received a 2027 seventh-round pick back.
Remigio’s exit is the one that really jumps out. Kansas City had stuck with him for the last season and a half, even though his role was basically limited to returns and his production there never really took off.
He didn’t offer anything on offense, so every touch on special teams carried extra weight. Still, coordinator Dave Toub kept backing him.
That changed before Week 10, even after Remigio had a punt return of nearly 70 yards erased by a holding penalty against the New York Jets in Week 9. Remigio, who first signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2023, had handled the return job during the team’s postseason run to finish the 2024 campaign and stayed in that role all through 2025 until now.
If Kansas City is looking for the next man up, Brashard Smith and Emmett Johnson are the obvious running back options. Cyrus Allen and Jalen Royals could also enter the mix at wide receiver. Downs, meanwhile, brings his own return experience, with 32 punt returns for Indianapolis since entering the league.
Pyburn’s release is easier to see coming. Kansas City claimed him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after preseason rosters were cut down, then kept him on the active roster without giving him a snap.
The Chiefs seemed interested in seeing whether the LSU product could develop into help on the edge. Pyburn is a thickly built defensive end with a reputation as a strong run defender and a tough player, and he was a surprise cut by Tampa Bay in the first place. He was also the NFL’s preseason sack leader, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic had him graded as a sixth-round pick.
There’s still a chance both players circle back. The Chiefs would likely welcome Remigio and Pyburn back on the practice squad if they clear waivers, though that’s far from guaranteed. Remigio may be the easier stash for other teams to pass on, while Pyburn could draw interest from a club with room to spare.
Kansas City has not yet explained why it needed two open roster spots for one trade acquisition, and the team has not announced the corresponding move.
In Other News...
Travis Kelce Had An Immediate Reaction To Chiefs WR Move
The Chiefs added another receiving option to their offense, landing Josh Downs from the Colts in a deal that sends Kansas City a package of future draft picks. Downs arrives with some production already on his rsum, having caught 33 passes for 354 yards and a touchdown in nine games before the move, and the timing of the trade made it a natural topic when Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce were talking on their podcast.
Travis Kelces reaction came right away as the news broke in real time, giving Chiefs fans an instant glimpse at how one of the teams most important voices views the move. For Kansas City, the trade is another sign the front office is still looking for ways to keep the passing game fresh, and Downs now steps into a receiver room where every new piece gets a close look. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Rookie Class Is Starting To Look Like A Massive Draft Win
The Chiefs decision to move up to No. 6 for Mansoor Delane is already looking like the kind of draft gamble that can reshape a class. Even with three games missed because of a shoulder injury, the rookie corner has been one of the more encouraging young pieces in Kansas City, giving the defense immediate value from a pick that came with plenty of expectation attached.
Delane is not the only first-year player helping the Chiefs feel better about the haul. Running back Emmett Johnson and several other rookies have also drawn notice for their early-season contributions, giving Kansas City a rookie group that has done more than just fill out the depth chart. For a team always chasing edges, that kind of early return can matter just as much as the headline move that brought Delane to town. [Read more 🡒]
Patrick Mahomes Injury Scare Just Took A Huge Turn For Chiefs Fans
Patrick Mahomes gave Chiefs fans a brief scare in Week 9 when he took an arm injury against the New York Jets, but the quarterback was able to return to the game and keep Kansas City moving. For a team that lives and dies by Mahomes availability, any injury note naturally draws attention, especially with the schedule rolling right into another important matchup.
Andy Reid added a reassuring update afterward, saying Mahomes is expected to fully participate in practice and is throwing well, which points to the issue not being serious. All signs now suggest the Chiefs should have their star quarterback available for Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, easing at least one major concern as the team turns the page. [Read more 🡒]