Here's a snapshot of the Chiefs' initial 53-player roster
Chiefs set the roster for the regular season
The Chiefs on Tuesday evening officially announced the initial 53-player roster for the 2025 regular season.
Nevertheless, it remains important to remember that this roster is considered fluid throughout the season. Changes might happen even before the Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
Additionally, multiple players waived by the Chiefs could return to the team’s 16-player practice squad, which can be established starting Wednesday after the league’s waiver process ends.
Below is a snapshot of the Chiefs’ initial roster, which breaks down as 26 on offense, 24 on defense and three specialists:
QUARTERBACK (2): Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew
Mahomes is obviously the starter, and Minshew his clear backup.
It wouldn’t surprise if Chris Oladokun returns to the practice squad, especially in light of the number of mobile quarterbacks the Chiefs face early this season. Oladokun can run the scout team, playing the roles of the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, rookie Brashard Smith
Mitchell’s spot is a mild surprise, but he turned in a good performance in the preseason finale with three carries for 14 yards and a touchdown in limited action.
The waiving for Carson Steele signals the Chiefs won’t have a fullback on the roster.
WIDE RECEIVERS (8): Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, rookie Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio, Jason Brownlee
The Chiefs keeping eight wide receivers is likely a result of the uncertainty surrounding Rice, who faces a possible suspension at some point this season.
Thornton enjoyed a tremendous training camp and should fill in nicely as another deep threat.
Remigio projects as the primary kickoff returner.
Brownlee had bright moments during the preseason and the Chiefs probably figured he wouldn’t clear waivers to get on the practice squad.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley
Robert Tonyan not making the initial 53-player roster is a surprise. Tonyan produced a strong training camp and was arguably the best blocker in the position group.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Kingley Suamataia, rookie Josh Simmons, Jawaan Taylor, Jaylon Moore, Hunter Nourzad, Wanya Morris, Mike Caliendo
The Chiefs were set early in training camp with the starting front five of Humphrey, Smith, Simmons, Suamataia and Taylor.
Moore projects as the swing tackle with flexibility to play guard, while Nourzad is Humphrey’s primary backup at the center position.
Morris and Caliendo provide depth at the tackle and guard, respectively.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (4): Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Jerry Tillery, rookie Omarr Norman-Lott
The Chiefs surprisingly released veteran Mike Pennel, but he likely became expendable when Nnadi returned over the weekend in a trade with the New York Jets.
DEFENSIVE ENDS (5): George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu, rookie Ashton Gillotte, Malik Herring
Omenihu, Gillotte and Herring provide depth behind the team’s top pass rushing duo of Karlaftis and Danne.
LINEBACKERS (6): Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill, rookie Jeff Bassa, Jack Cochrane, rookie Cooper McDonald
McDonald essentially played his way to the initial 53-player roster after strong performances throughout training camp and preseason action.
Look for McDonald and Cochrane to be core contributors on special teams.
CORNERBACKS (6): Trent McDuffie, Kristian Fulton, Jaylen Watson, Chamarri Conner, Joshua Williams, rookie Nohl Williams
McDuffie and Fulton are the top two cornerbacks, while Conner gives the group flexibility to play multiple positions, including safety.
SAFETIES (3): Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks, Chris Roland-Wallace
Roland-Wallace is listed as a cornerback on the team roster, but he’s basically lined up a lot at safety.
SPECIALISTS (3): Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester
No surprises here.
OTHER MOVES
The Chiefs placed CB Nazeeh Johnson (shoulder), rookie tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring) and rookie linebacker Brandon George (undisclosed) on injured reserve. The Chiefs can designate two of the players to return.
The Chiefs also placed offensive lineman Ethan Driskell on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list.
