The Kansas City Chiefs are moving beyond their disappointing 2025 season and starting to prepare for their next one, making a move this week to fill out the defensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs signed defensive back Tanner McCalister to a reserve/futures contract, bringing him back weeks after releasing him at the conclusion of the season. McCalister got a bit of experience with a playoff team, and now returns to Kansas City to fight for a spot on their roster in 2026.
Tanner McCalister Returns After Playoff Run With Denver Broncos
As USA Today’s Ed Easton Jr. reported, the Chiefs had McCalister on their practice squad at the conclusion of the year.
“McCalister was with the Chiefs during the final three weeks of the regular season on the practice squad before he was released. He joined the Denver Broncos‘ practice squad for the playoffs but was not elevated,” Easton Jr. wrote.
McCalister has bounced around the NFL a bit since coming into the league three years ago, Easton Jr. added.
“The journeyman defensive back spent his first four college seasons at Oklahoma State playing slot cornerback and eventually finishing as a starter for Ohio State in 2022. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 draft but later signed with the Cleveland Browns,” he wrote.
McCalister has appeared in six NFL games in his career, making three total tackles.
McCalister will now join the 90-man roster in Kansas City, with his reserve/future contract allowing him to go through offseason practices and training camp to fight for a roster spot. Given the team’s difficult with the salary cap, McCalister could be in a good position to earn a spot on the 53-man roster at a lower cost than other alternatives.
Chiefs Face More Defensive Decisions
The Chiefs have some difficult decisions on defense as they aim to revamp a unit that often failed in 2025. The Athletic’s Jesse Newell predicted the team would make some contract moves to save contract space.
“Defensive tackle Chris Jones, whose cap number is $44.9 million for 2026, is also a restructure candidate. For some context, the Chiefs cleared $49.4 million by reworking Mahomes’ and Jones’ contracts a year ago,” Newell wrote.
The Chiefs may also need to make some cuts to clear further space, alleviating what is one of the worst cap situations in the NFL.
“K.C. has a few obvious cut candidates, too,” Newell added. “The Chiefs can save $20 million if they cut right tackle Jawaan Taylor, and the expected release of defensive end Mike Danna will save nearly $9 million as well.”
The Chiefs face another difficult decision on cornerback Trent McDuffie, who is under contract for one more season plus a fifth-year option. Newell suggested the Chiefs need to make a definitive move — either committing to McDuffie for the long term, or getting rid of him entirely.
“Now would be the time to extend him, which could be difficult given the team’s tight cap situation. If they’re not going to do that, though, it could be beneficial to trade him — especially given the return he might bring,” Newell wrote
Chiefs Bring Back Promising Defensive Back Weeks After Releasing Him