Kansas City Chiefs part ways with a preseason standout to take advantage of another NFL team’s mistake
The Kansas City Chiefs are swapping one of their own preseason standouts for a preseason standout with the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s why the move makes some sense, even if it’s a bit disappointing.
The Kansas City Chiefs made two waiver claims during 53-man roster cuts, and we now know the corresponding roster moves to make room for those players.
Kansas City claimed LB/DE Jack Pyburn from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and DT Bryson Eason from the San Francisco 49ers. According to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick, the Chiefs will release DT Marcus Harris and CB Kevin Knowles to make room for both players on the 53-man roster.
Knowles was a surprise to make the 53-man roster to begin with. However, it felt like Harris had earned his spot. He capped his preseason with a performance that included three tackles for loss en route to the team’s tie against the Seattle Seahawks.
Chiefs take advantage of 49ers’ mistake at cost of preseason standout Marcus Harris
49ers faithful are not particularly happy about the decision to waive Bryson Eason. They felt the UDFA out of Tennessee had earned a roster spot over DT Alfred Collins, who was a draft pick by San Francisco. It was ultimately a numbers game for the 49ers.
Locked on 49ers host Brian Peacock had this to say:
“Bryson Eason is a tough one for the 49ers to lose. He showed enough promise as an undrafted rookie, outplayed some guys on the roster, and looked more valuable long term than some other bubble players that were kept (likely due to draft status).”
So, Kansas City is essentially swapping a standout of their own for a standout in San Francisco. If Harris isn’t claimed on waivers, the Chiefs can always bring him back on the practice squad. Either way, Eason’s fit also plays a big role here.
Why does Bryson Eason make sense over Marcus Harris for the Chiefs?
While Harris had some flashes as a backfield penetrator, Eason was an immovable force in the run game for the 49ers this preseason. Turn on the tape against the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, and you’ll find those teams couldn’t move him an inch.
The Chiefs have a lot of guys who can rush from the interior, including Chris Jones, Peter Woods, and Omarr Norman-Lott when he returns from the Reserve/PUP. That doesn’t even consider guys like Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who had some good snaps rushing from the interior. Here’s what the Chiefs didn’t have: Depth at 1-technique and nose tackle behind Khyiris Tonga.
At 6-foot-2 and 323 pounds, that’s what Eason will give Kansas City. Is it as exciting as the play of Harris? Undoubtedly no. However, Eason looks like the type of player who could be a mainstay on the Chiefs’ D-Line for several years as they begin a youth movement.
