The NFL’s Tuesday transaction shuffle brought a little extra intrigue for Chiefs fans keeping tabs on familiar names. With teams juggling injuries, scouting options and practice squad pieces as Week 8 approaches, a handful of former Chiefs ended up in the middle of the churn.
Emari Demercado is now a free agent after the Cowboys moved on from him two months into the season. Demercado had been signed by the Chiefs in March as part of a rebuilt backfield, one that featured Kenneth Walker III and later included rookie Emmett Johnson as a fifth-round pick.
But the Chiefs cut him before roster-deadline day in late August, and Dallas claimed him off waivers. His time there never really got going: only five carries for 15 yards in two games before the release.
Carson Steele also landed on the move list after reaching an injury settlement with the Eagles. Steele spent two years bouncing from preseason buzz to a more regular role with the Chiefs, appearing in a full 17-game season before failing to make the team in his second year.
He then caught on with Philadelphia this offseason, played in two games on special teams, hurt his shoulder, and was waived. After reverting to injured reserve, he is now free to sign elsewhere once healthy.
The Jets, meanwhile, brought back a former Chiefs prospect by adding defensive tackle Amari McNeill to the practice squad. McNeill had signed with Kansas City after going undrafted this spring, but he was let go when roster cuts arrived. With the Chiefs deep on the interior defensive line, he never had much room to stick.
Another former Chiefs receiver is also looking for a fresh start. The Giants cut Jason Brownlee while making room for defensive end Dean Lowry, and Brownlee is now searching for his fourth NFL team. He had only limited action in six games last year, then failed to make this season’s roster before landing on the practice squad.
A few more former Chiefs are still chasing opportunities through tryouts. Cole Brevard worked out for the Dolphins, C.J.
Hanson visited the Ravens, and Khalen Saunders had a free-agent tryout with the Titans. Saunders is the biggest name of that group, and Tennessee’s personnel department is led by former Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, which could work in his favor.
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ESPNs Jeremy Fowler reported that Brian Thomas Jr. is drawing interest from teams that include the Chiefs and Steelers, which gives Kansas City a high-end target to monitor if Jacksonville ever becomes willing to listen. There is also the familiar buzz around a possible Tyreek Hill reunion, though that idea comes with real uncertainty because of his recovery from a severe leg injury, leaving the Chiefs with more questions than answers for now. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Put Real Pressure On Harrison Butker At The Worst Time
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Butker has already missed multiple field goals and extra points this year, and the latest frustration has made the situation hard to ignore. Tucker, one of the leagues most accomplished kickers from his years in Baltimore, gives Kansas City a proven alternative and puts Butker on a short runway to clean up his performance before this turns into a full-blown job battle. [Read more 🡒]
Chris Jones Is Becoming A Real Problem For The Chiefs Defense
The loss to the Seahawks did more than just dent the Chiefs record. It also put a spotlight on a defense that has not looked nearly as disruptive as expected, and Chris Jones has become the clearest example of that slide. Kansas City has leaned on him for years to tilt games from the interior, but his overall impact has dipped enough this season to become a real concern as the unit searches for answers.
Jones has been battling a calf injury, which may help explain some of the drop-off, but the bigger issue is that the Chiefs do not have an obvious fix if his production stays muted. His quiet showing against Seattle fit the broader trend, and with opposing offenses no longer forced to account for him on every snap, Kansas Citys pass rush loses some of the edge that once made it so hard to sustain drives against. [Read more 🡒]