The Kansas City Chiefs popped up on the NFL transaction wire July 22 when they waived wide receiver/special teamer Mathew Sexton. The reserve pass catcher had previously been moved to injured reserve this spring.
Pro Football Network insider Aaron Wilson confirmed the cut, explaining that it was an “injury waiver” by the Chiefs’ front office.
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Sexton’s Brief Career in KC
Originally described as a “speedy” return man by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Sexton joined Kansas City on a reserve/futures deal in January 2022.
After entering the league in 2020 as an undrafted prospect out of Eastern Michigan, though, he never appeared in an NFL game despite signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. During his four seasons at EMU, Sexton recorded 100 catches for 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns.
As his most valuable skill, the EMU product showcased a 4.44 40-yard dash time at Michigan State University’s 2021 Pro Day, per Draft Scout. He stands at 5-foot-10, 176 pounds.
As an injury waiver, Sexton could theoretically return to the Chiefs organization, as he did over the spring. This designation is generally meant to inform the league about that player’s injury upon making them available.
After passing through waivers, another team could claim him, or Sexton could revert back to KC’s injury reserve list if he chooses. The Chiefs may also prefer to cut him loose with an injury settlement.
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Chiefs Analyst: KC Will Have Two 1,000-Yard WRs in 2022
Sexton would have been hard-pressed to make the Chiefs’ practice squad, let alone the active roster. This KC wide receiver corps is deeper than ever, and Arrowhead Pride analyst Mark Gunnels said during the July 23 installment of “Let’s Argue” that it would produce two 1,000-yard efforts.
The fan-driven article, which tackles weekly, argued that “the Chiefs’ offense won’t be top 10 without a 1,000-yard wide receiver or running back.” Gunnels called it a “wild” presumption, writing, “This is a hot take all the way around. First of all, I think there’s a good chance that Kansas City will have two 1,000-yard receivers. The last time JuJu Smith-Schuster had a functional quarterback (and another elite pass-catching option next to him), he finished with over 1,400 yards. Smith-Schuster will be playing with [Patrick] Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
“And I wouldn’t be surprised if wide receiver Mecole Hardman cracks 1,000 yards,” Gunnels wrote. “On limited targets last year, Hardman nearly had 700 yards. With an increase in targets, I don’t think it’s far-fetched for him to get at least 300 more.
Although Gunnels did admit that there might not be a 1,000-yard runner in 2022 due to the crowded nature of the backfield — Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones II and either rookie Isiah Pacheco or veteran Jerick McKinnon could all split touches — he noted that “you will always have a top 10 offense” when you couple head coach Andy Reid with Mahomes and Kelce.
Going one step further, the Arrowhead Pride contributor added that he thought the Chiefs offense would finish in the top five — as it usually does. It’s hard to bet against an argument involving an elite trio like the one Kansas City currently flaunts.
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