A 9-9 tie against the Seattle Seahawks officially brought the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason to a close. Following back-to-back losses in Weeks 1 and 2, the franchise now stands at a critical crossroads. With the Week 1 showdown against the Denver Broncos looming. Andy Reid and the front office must trim the roster down to 53 players. Right after the final whistle, Coach Reid dropped a dose of harsh reality on the locker room regarding the impending decisions. 

“I can say that, really, to a man,” Reid said in the post-game presser after the Chiefs’ tie game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 28. “I thought this group really challenged each other and made some decisions here that are going to be tough for Brett and his guys to make as we go in the next couple of days here.”

Reid then offered some encouraging words for the athletes who will inevitably lose their current roster spots. The Chiefs must make 38 difficult cuts by Sunday, August 30, as Kansas City works to finalize its 53-man roster ahead of the regular season. 

“We wish them the best moving forward as they have a chance to make another team,” he added. “The one positive out of that for all of them is they were able to get reps. Once you’re on that tape, you can be evaluated. That gives you, at least, a chance to make another squad.”

A to Z Sports analyst Charles Goldman recently published his final 53-man roster projections for the reigning champions.

“I think the Kansas City Chiefs roll with three quarterbacks this season,” he wrote about the quarterbacks. “I believe they have plans for how they’ll use Fields that haven’t been revealed yet. Andy Reid and Fields have played coy when asked about him doing anything other than playing QB. My guess is that they’ve got a Fields package that uses him alongside Mahomes or as a threat in the ground game. Nussmeier stays at the QB3 spot this year, but likely takes over at QB2 in 2027.”

Goldman finalized his quarterback projection by outlining a clear developmental timeline. He expects Garrett Nussmeier to secure the third quarterback spot before potentially elevating to the primary backup role in 2027. To be completely honest, Garrett Nussmeier has simply looked like the better quarterback this preseason. In the opener against the Rams, Nussmeier clearly won the eye test. Fields posted a higher passer rating on paper, but Nussmeier was tasked with making far tougher throws, including a beautiful second-half deep ball dropped by Jason Brownlee that would have significantly boosted his stat line.

Week 2 against Tampa Bay told a similar story. While the box score favored Fields, the tape clearly favored Nussmeier. While Fields lacked confidence and throw velocity, Nussmeier navigated the pocket like a seasoned starter.

The Chiefs knew the risks when trading for Fields. After playing in five NFL seasons, he holds a 16-37 record as a starter. His natural talent is undeniable, but so is his tendency to commit inexplicable, veteran-level mistakes. Still, operating with Fields as QB2 was always the plan, largerly as Patrick Mahomes’ uncertain health, until Nussmeier got drafted. The financials make this decision easier to understand.

The franchise has invested more in Fields ($3 million cap hit and a sixth-round pick) than Nussmeier (a seventh-round pick and $915,000 cap hit, per Over the Cap), so the former clearly has more leeway than the rookie. This specific mathematical calculation leaves five-year veteran Chris Oladokun off the final regular-season roster. The offensive evaluations extend far beyond the crowded quarterback room.

The running back rotation features an equally intense positional battle ahead of the deadline. Goldman projects Kenneth Walker, Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, and Brashard Smith will successfully secure places on the 53-man roster. This exact configuration forces the front office to part ways with Jaydn Ott and EJ Smith. The receiving corps presents another complex evaluation for the offensive coaching staff.

ESPN projects Kansas City will carry seven wide receivers into the regular season. The anticipated group features Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Cyrus Allen, Nikko Remigio, Andrew Armstrong, and Jalen Royals. Allen secured his spot by emerging as a notable training camp standout with vastly improved route running.

On the other hand, several defensive and special teams prospects are facing a much grimmer reality.

These Chiefs Players Could Be on the Outside Looking In

When it comes to the tight end position, the Chiefs had plenty to count on as the depth chart had familiar faces. While Kelce and Noah Gray are locked in for the first two spots, the fight begins for the third position. According to Arrowhead Addict’s Matt Conner, Mason Pline stands on loose ground. 

“Jared Wiley and even last year’s undrafted signings of Jake Briningstool and Tre Watson feel safer than Pline, who played sparingly in the preseason opener,” Conner wrote. “It’s possible a practice squad spot could open if they really like him, but the former tryout signing is likely out of runway.”

The wide receiver bubble features a similarly crowded developmental landscape. The Chiefs signed wide receiver Jeff Weimer in early August to alleviate a massive string of training camp injuries. Weimer performed admirably before the organization’s primary receivers returned to full health. The coaching staff must now choose between Weimer, Xavier Loyd, and Omari Evans for a potential practice squad designation. The defensive line features a highly touted collegiate recruit facing immediate elimination.

Defensive lineman Damon Payne signed as a free agent shortly after the 2026 NFL Draft. The former five-star recruit out of Belleville struggled to secure playing time, logging only four snaps during the preseason opener. He faces insurmountable odds competing against established names like Marcus Harris, Amari McNeill, and Cole Brevard. Assistant general manager Mike Bradway confirmed the front office remains entirely open to executing last-minute trades before the official 2026 roster deadline hits on Sunday, August 30.