As the 2025 NFL offseason becomes a thing of the past, so do mandatory roster cutdowns. The Kansas City Chiefs‘ run of decisions may be in the books for those purposes, but general manager Brett Veach is far from done.
Several of the players who were previously cut will be returning to the practice squad. Kansas City shared a link to its 14-player list via X on Wednesday afternoon.
Chiefs Announce First Round of Practice Squad Signings for 2025-26 Season
Below is the Chiefs’ full list of announcements from Wednesday. It’s listed in alphabetical order by last name.
- LB Cole Christiansen
- S Mike Edwards
- OT Chukwuebuka Godrick
- G C.J. Hanson
- WR Jimmy Holiday
- DT Coziah Izzard
- CB Kevin Knowles
- QB Chris Oladokun
- WR Hal Presley
- CB Melvin Smith
- RB Carson Steele
- TE Robert Tonyan
- DT Marlon Tuipulotu
- TE Tre Watson
Godrick, an International Player Pathway Program designee, is listed separately on Kansas City’s specific posting. He afforded the club a 91st man on its offseason roster and following his return to the practice squad, he gives them the ability to carry 17 players instead of the normal 16.
There aren’t many surprises on this initial group. Edwards was deemed a surprise release but considering his familiarity with the system, it’s good for the Chiefs that he re-signed. Buzz built surrounding Presley’s potential return. Hanson, a 2024 NFL Draft pick, is back after briefly going through waivers.
Perhaps the most noteworthy name here is Tonyan. The veteran tight end enjoyed a great training camp and preseason, only to get released at cutdowns. With that said, a suspension for wideout Rashee Rice could see him return to the active roster very soon. Rice will miss the Chiefs’ first six regular-season games.
The rest of Kansas City’s adds, with a few more presumably coming, serve as organizational depth.
Robert Tonyan temporarily on the practice squad.
Assessing Surprises From Kansas City’s 53-Man Roster Release
Like with most NFL teams, the Chiefs generally showed what most of their 53-man roster would look like. Keeping that in mind, though, there were some minor surprises that will lead to subsequent roster developments throughout the year.
At running back, Kansas City rolled with four players. Choosing to keep both veteran Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith wasn’t always a foregone conclusion. The team’s decision to keep eight wide receivers now makes sense given the Rice suspension. Jason Brownlee, whom the club is fond of, makes it through to start. Similarly, keeping three tight ends without Tonyan being one of them will be sorted out once Rice goes on the reserve/suspended list.
Along the defensive line, Derrick Nnadi being back threw a new dynamic into the mix. Once the Chiefs traded for him, Mike Pennel became expendable. It remains to be seen whether Pennel will return — either to the active roster or practice squad — in the near future.
With the Edwards move already out of the way at safety, cornerback saw the last eyebrow-raiser. It’s another instance of a connected decision, however. Because Nazeeh Johnson is starting the year on injured reserve, that basically saved Joshua Williams a spot.
Kansas City will continue to shuffle the fringes of its roster ahead of Week 1’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chiefs Announce Round of 14 Practice Squad Signings After Cuts