Key Takeaways:
– Kansas City Chiefs released wide receiver Anthony Miller among a series of cuts.
– The Chiefs filled several roster vacancies through the 2024 NFL draft and signed several undrafted free agents.
– The team waived other players including Shi Smith, Jordan Smith, and Tyree Gillespie among others.
– Rashee Rice, Mahomes’ top receiver, faces potential half-season suspension due to involvement in a March car crash.
– The Chiefs were reportedly interested in landing Odell Beckham Jr. before he joined Miami Dolphins.
Roster Readjustments for Chiefs Post 2024-NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs recently went through a significant roster reshuffling in the aftermath of the 2024 NFL Draft, to best utilize their newly-acquired rookie talent. The personnel changes announced by the team include dismissing wide receiver Anthony Miller, a development first reported by Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.
Anthony Miller’s Departure
Anthony Miller, previously with the Chicago Bears, had been actively training in Texas with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the off-season. Despite these efforts, he was deemed not to have done enough to retain a spot on the team’s 90-man roster. Before the Chiefs let him go, Miller had been enlisted into the practice squad in December 2023, trailing wide receiver Skyy Moore’s injury-induced unavailability. Miller, whose NFL journey has also featured a brief stint with the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers, hasn’t been active on the football field since 2021.
Streamlining the Team
With the departure of Miller, the Chiefs also waived other team players including wide receiver Shi Smith, defensive end Jordan Smith, tight end Izaiah Gathings, wide receiver Jacob Copeland, and safety Tyree Gillespie. The Chiefs additionally withdrew their exclusive rights tender to linebacker Cole Christiansen.
Question Marks Over Rashee Rice
Meanwhile, the team’s leading wide receiver, Rashee Rice, is a subject of speculation. Following a multi-vehicle crash in March, Rice’s NFL future hangs in the balance with NFL insiders predicting he may face a half-year long suspension. The timeline of this development depends heavily on the legal proceedings tied to the accident. In light of this uncertainty, The Athletic’s Nate Taylor indicates that the Chiefs could consider signing another seasoned player. He suggests rookies like Worthy and Brown may benefit from Mahomes’ nurturing, and veteran Kadarius Toney and Moore could compete for a regular season slot.
Adding to the Roster
Prior to Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs expressed a keen interest to bring him onboard. The team is now looking at other potential free-agent options like Zay Jones and Michael Thomas, or considering bringing back Marquez Valdes-Scantling. As the roster continues to change, these developments will shape the ultimate line-up of the Kansas City Chiefs for the upcoming season.
Given these substantial player shifts, Chiefs fans and followers will be eager to see how the team’s performance evolves in the season ahead. The anonymous shakeup underscores the strategic thinking behind the Chiefs’ game plan, as they seek to foster a dynamic team capable of dominating the gridiron.