BJ Thompson’s NFL journey kicked off with a near miss—he almost ignored the Chiefs’ draft call because his phone flagged it as “Spam Risk.” Despite that hiccup, he joined the team as a fifth-round pick in 2023. His rookie season was brief, with just one game and two tackles, but he earned a Super Bowl ring. However, back in 2024, during a team meeting, Thompson suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest, leading to hospitalization.

After recovering, he was placed on the reserve/NFI list and didn’t play that season. Fast forward to now, and the Chiefs waived the third-year defensive end after a couple of seasons. However, if any NFL team doesn’t submit a claim for him by 3 p.m. Sunday, Thompson will return to the Chiefs on injured reserve.

And amidst this, the head coach, Andy Reid, just addressed the team’s decision to waive the 26-year-old DE with the injury designation. “He’s making progress, he’s not quite there yet. . . That doesn’t mean his career is over by any means. That’s just where we’re at today,” the head coach said on Sunday.

After the 2025 NFL draft, the Chiefs needed roster spots to sign 16 undrafted free agents. And yeah, for the same reasons, they decided to waive Thompson and released linebacker Blake Lynch, as per Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest reports. If Thompson clears waivers, he’d be joining the Chiefs, continuing a comeback story in his third season.

On June 6, 2024, Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a special-teams meeting at the Chiefs’ practice facility. The Chiefs’ medical team responded and attempted CPR and delivered a defibrillator shock that revived the 25-year-old DE within a minute. Later, the guy was transported to the University of Kansas Health System.

Four days later, they discharged him, and within a week, he shocked everyone by attending the Chiefs’ ring ceremony. Then came his 26th birthday when Thompson expressed his gratitude to the team’s support, writing, “Almost lost my life at 25… Still blessed to see 26.” Now, it seems like he’ll return to the Kansas City team, which will allow him to continue his rehab.

On the flip side, the Chiefs are busy reshuffling things as they gear up for 2025—and now, Reid’s finally chimed in on how they’re handling the roster moves.

Andy Reid believes the Chiefs have done a good job in the draft

The Chiefs had themselves a pretty solid draft haul this year. Whether it was beefing up the O-line or stacking talent on defense, the front office seems to think they nailed it. And on Sunday, Andy Reid chimed in to share his thoughts on the team’s draft decisions. “I think Brett (Veach) and his gang have done a good job of bringing in some great football players, both drafted and undrafted,” he said.

Heading to the draft, the Chiefs went after their biggest needs, especially at left tackle. That said, the team drafted one of the best offensive linemen in the 2025 draft when they went after Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in the first round. In the first six games of the 2024 season, Simmons did not allow a single sack, showcasing his prowess on the offensive line.

However, the guy suffered a torn patellar tendon, ending his season prematurely. Despite the injury, Simmons declared for the draft, and just like that, the Chiefs snagged him in the first round. Reid stated, “We felt like he was a true left tackle,” highlighting Simmons’ fit for the team’s offensive line needs.

On the flip side, the Chiefs addressed their D-line needs as they drafted Omarr Norman-Lott, Defensive Tackle, from Tennessee, with the 63rd overall pick, Ashton Gillotte, Defensive End, from Louisville with the 66th overall pick, and Nohl Williams, Cornerback, from California, with the 85th overall pick.

“I understand why they took Norman-Lott — bigger-school guy, more actual pass-rush juice,” one exec said. “The corner they got from Cal (Nohl Williams in the third round) was a really good pick. He will be a good starter, a good No. 2 corner. He is smart, can play nickel, can play safety, great character, team captain. That’s a double in the third round.” So yeah, the Chiefs didn’t just fill gaps—they played the value game like pros. Because the Chiefs didn’t stop right there.

Besides Simmons, Norman-Lott, Gillotte, and Williams, snagging Jalen Royals, who was projected as a second-rounder, in the fourth round? That’s a steal. And Brashard Smith at pick 228? Analysts are calling that one of the draft’s biggest bargains. So when Reid said that Brett Veach did a good job, he wasn’t just talking the talk.