Chiefs Shake Up Roster: 6 Key Moves on Wednesday

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As per the NFL’s official transaction report, the Kansas City Chiefs executed six changes to the team list on Wednesday. Over a dozen signings of unsigned free agents These additions have been noted. Once they become official, the team will require extra room on their 90-player preseason roster.

Baylor Cupp, who plays as a tight end; McKade Mettauer, listed as a guard; and Jason Taylor, a defensive back—all three players—were released from their contracts. After dealing with various injuries during his time on the team’s practice squad for just one season, Cupp managed to play in only one game of the 2024 season. Similarly, Mettauer sustained a knee injury early in the previous preseason but was unable to return and ended up spending the whole year on injured reserve. In contrast, Taylor signed onto the Chiefs' roster via a reserve/future agreement this past January.

The seasoned tight end Anthony Firkser and linebacker Shaun Bradley have been let go. Given their experience, neither player will go through the waiver process.

Firkser played in three games for the Chiefs last season following his start of the year with them. New York Jets Bradley similarly signed with Kansas City in January on a reserve/future contract.

Given past events, there's a possibility that Kansas City might bring back any of these athletes next week following their assessment of the newcomers during this weekend’s rookie minicamp.

The Chiefs were granted an additional international player exception for offensive lineman Chukuebukua Godrick, hailing from Nigeria. Since joining the Chiefs in 2023, this provision enables the team to maintain up to 91 players during the off-season roster period. Furthermore, Godrick can join the in-season practice squad without impacting the usual cap of 16 members.

Using these additions, the Chiefs currently have 77 players committed under their contracts. Given Godrick’s exempt status, this creates 14 available roster positions. The figures will shift once the squad’s unsigned draft picks officially join the team.