Kansas City Chiefs 2025 Training Camp officially comes to a close, we name 6 winners and 4 losers
Who stepped up and who failed to rise to the occasion?
The Kansas City Chiefs officially wrapped up their 2025 training camp on Wednesday.
From July 22-August 13, the Chiefs held 17 practices and played one preseason game. They will now turn their attention towards facing the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, then conclude the preseason against the Chicago Bears on August 22.
Many players separated themselves and stood out during camp, while others failed to rise to the occasion. All NFL teams will trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 shortly after preseason ends. Here are our six winners and four losers of Chiefs training camp.
Winner: OT Josh Simmons
All eyes were on Simmons at the beginning of camp. Everyone was under the impression that he would battle Jaylon Moore for the starting left tackle job, but that wasn’t the case. Simmons had the starting role locked down from the jump.
He had no setbacks from the torn patellar tendon injury that he sustained in college, and has looked like a bona fide NFL left tackle. The Chiefs are not only all-in on Simmons, but expectations for him to perform well are high.
Winner: RB Brashard Smith
Not far behind Simmons on the training camp hype train was Smith. Despite being a seventh-round draft pick, his 4.3 40-yard dash speed and receiving skills had people excited to see him utilized in coach Andy Reid’s offense.
Smith received plenty of work with the first-team offense throughout camp, particularly in the redzone. He lined up all over the place, catching a ton passes and ripping off some impressive runs. Smith has also worked on special teams as a kickoff and punt return specialist.
Loser: TE Jared Wiley
Wiley was a standout performer during last year’s camp, but didn’t have much of a role within the offense once the regular season came around. He then tore his ACL in early November, ending his 2024 season.
Wiley worked hard to get healthy and be ready for this year’s camp, but had to fight for a roster spot this time around. The emergence of veteran Robert Tonyan has hurt Wiley’s case, and it appears that Wiley is currently the No. 4 TE. It’s pretty much a toss up whether the Chiefs will keep three our four TEs on the 53-man roster.
Winner: Robert Tonyan
Tonyan spent time on K.C.’s practice squad late last season. He was re-signed during the offseason, but not much was made about it as he has spent the last few years of his career battling through injuries and not receiving much playing time.
However, Tonyan looked healthy revitalized during camp. He carried that momentum into last week’s preseason game, leading the team in targets (5), receptions (3), and receiving yards (49). Tonyan is the clear-cut No. 3 TE behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, and brings a lot of experience to the table.
Winner: CB Nohl Williams
The 2025 third-round draft pick made big strides from the beginning to the end of camp. He made the most of Kristian Fulton being out on the PUP list, getting consistent reps with the second-team defense and even some with the first-team.
Williams has good size and a knack for making plays on the ball. He displayed that during last week’s preseason game when made a pass deflection in the endzone. Williams should get some rotational work on defense as a rookie and contribute on special teams.
Loser: CB Joshua Williams
Despite entering his fourth season with the Chiefs, Williams just has not shown any progression over the past couple of years. He has impressive size and length that he occasionally uses effectively, but it’s far and few between.
Williams has constantly struggled to defend receivers in open space and keep pace on deep throws down the field. Other CBs such as Chris Roland-Wallace and Kevin Knowles have stepped up, putting Williams in real danger of being cut as he enters the last year of his rookie contract.
Winner: WR Jason Brownlee
Brownlee may be the biggest surprise of all during camp. He wasn’t on anybody’s radar, especially at the crowded WR position. However, the Chiefs saw enough in Brownlee to give him a little run with the first-team offense, and he made the most of it.
Brownlee used his impressive size to make multiple catches throughout camp. He then caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs’ opening preseason drive. Brownlee could still end up being cut, but it’s not out of the question that he makes the 53-man roster. If he doesn’t, he’s a lock for the practice squad.
Loser: RB/FB Carson Steele
Steele hasn’t really done anything wrong, but unfortunately may find himself as the odd man out in a crowded RB room. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are the undisputed top two backs, and the Chiefs clearly have plans for Brashard Smith.
That pits Steele up against Elijah Mitchell for the No. 4 RB spot. Mitchell has had a good camp, and K.C. could really use his speed out of the backfield. Since Steele can play both RB and FB, as well as special teams, it’s not impossible that he makes the team. However, carrying five backs on the 53-man roster is a tough sell.
Winner: LB Cooper McDonald
McDonald is another out-of-nowhere guy who made an impact during camp. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent this summer, and has made a big impression on defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
McDonald has a real shot to make the 53-man roster as a backup LB and special teams contributor. Here you can see him picking off Mahomes on the final day of camp (H/T Farzin Vousoughian).
Loser: WR Skyy Moore
Moore has been under the microscope since being drafted by the Chiefs in 2022. He was expected to take a major step forward during his second season in 2023, but he wasn’t able to elevate his game. In 2024 Moore was placed on injured reserve after just six games, failing to record a catch.
It was make-or-break for Moore entering this year’s camp, and unfortunately he did not do anything to stand out. There are, at the very least, eight guys ahead of Moore in the WR pecking order. His time in K.C. is very likely over, although there’s a chance he sticks around on the practice squad.
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