The Kansas City Chiefs have completed the 2026 NFL preseason with a 9-9 tie against the Seattle Seahawks. We’ll next see them in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

Before we get there, Chiefs GM Brett Veach is faced with the tough task of trimming down the team’s roster from 90 to 53. How will things shake out after preseason Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks? Below you’ll find my final 53-man roster prediction. Keep in mind, there will probably be waiver claims or more trades. I’m sticking strictly to players on the 90-man roster for my final prediction.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.

Offense: 26

Quarterbacks: 3

• Patrick Mahomes
• Justin Fields
• Garrett Nussmeier*

Cut: Chris Oladokun

The why: Preseason Week 3 made it pretty clear that Nussmeier needs a bit more developmental time. Andy Reid has always preferred carrying three quarterbacks, even if he hasn’t done it for several seasons. Fields will continue to slot in as QB2, while Nussmeier learns and grows. 2027 will be his time to shine as a backup.

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Running backs: 4

• Kenneth Walker
• Emmett Johnson*
• Emari Demercado
• Brashard Smith

Cut: Jaydn Ott**, EJ Smith**

The why: I feel like everyone in this group has done enough to justify a roster spot. Johnson and Smith have been two of the bright spots. If they don’t carry four running backs, Demercado could be cut with minimal financial burden. He also got dinged with an injury in preseason Week 3, so that’s worth monitoring during cuts.

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Tight ends: 4

• Travis Kelce
• Noah Gray
• Jared Wiley
• Tre Watson

IR: John Michael Gyllenborg**
Cut: Jake Briningstool, Mason Pline

The why: I won’t be shocked if they put in a waiver claim or look for a veteran at the tight end position. I don’t think any of the three players at the bottom of the roster separated themselves. Each had a few flashes, and each has strengths and weaknesses. I am going with Watson over Briningstool on my final predictions because I think he’s the better blocker. That fits the team’s needs better than what Briningstool can bring right now. Wiley quietly had a nice bounce-back in preseason Week 3 after a bad game the week prior.

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Wide receivers: 6

• Xavier Worthy
• Tyquan Thornton
• Rashee Rice
• Jalen Royals
• Cyrus Allen*
• Andrew Armstrong

IR: Jeff Caldwell**
Cut: Nikko Remigio, Jimmy Holiday, Jason Brownlee, Jacob De Jesus**, Omari Evans**, Xavier Loyd**, Jeff Weimer**

The why: I don’t think Remigio has done enough to make the 53-man roster over Brashard Smith or Andrew Armstrong. I’m hopeful that the Chiefs’ personnel department sees the same thing. Otherwise, I think this position group is pretty straightforward and possibly underrated. I don’t expect a waiver wire add or trade acquisition here. Jacob De Jesus should make the practice squad, given his upside as a return specialist.

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Offensive line: 9

• Josh Simmons
• Kingsley Suamataia
• Creed Humphrey
• Trey Smith
• Jaylon Moore
• Kahlil Benson**
• Hunter Nourzad
• Joshua Ezeudu
• Esa Pole

Cut: Mike Caliendo, C.J. Hansen, Ethan Driskell, Pete Nygra**, Josh Thompson**, Chu Godrick

The why: I think you have to go heavy on offensive tackle with the questions surrounding Josh Simmons’ back injury. No one will rush to sign Caliendo if the Chiefs release him. You can safely put him on the practice squad and hope to get another developmental iOL on there, too. Chu Godrick can fill the international player-exempt spot on the practice squad and give you more tackle depth.

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Defense: 24

Defensive line: 9

EDGE: 5

• George Karlaftis
• Felix Anudike-Uzomah
• Ashton Gillotte
• R Mason Thomas*
• Emmanuel Ogbah

Defensive tackle: 4

• Chris Jones
• Khyiris Tonga
• Peter Woods*
• Marcus Harris

Reserve/PUP: Omarr Norman-Lott

IR: Ethan Downs
Cut: Amari McNeil**, Cole Brevard**, Daron Payne**, VJ Anthony**, Ethan Hurkett**, Tyreke Smith, Niles King

The why: This group has been a bright spot for the Chiefs. Between R Mason Thomas and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the edge rushers have been a joy to watch. Marcus Harris earned himself a spot in Week 3 of the preseason. That was an over-my-dead-body game from an interior defensive lineman if I’ve ever seen one. I’m torn on Ogbah. If they can upgrade that spot on waivers, I could see him getting cut. It also just depends on Gillotte’s injury status.

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Linebacker: 5

• Nick Bolton
• Drue Tranquill
• Cooper McDonald
• Jeff Bassa
• Cole Christiansen

IR: Jack Cochrane (Return)
Cut: Cam Jones, Kam Arnold, Wesley Bissainthe**

The why: Christiansen is a four-phase starter on special teams. He had a savvy fumble recovery in preseason Week 3. I think he edges out Cam Jones for that last linebacker spot, especially if Jack Cochrane starts the season on IR. The only way he doesn’t make it in my eyes is if they make a trade or claim someone at the LB position on the waiver wire.

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Defensive backs: 10

Cornerbacks: 5

• Mansoor Delane*
• Nohl Williams
• L’Jarius Sneed
• Kristian Fulton
• Jadon Canady*

Safety: 5

• Alohi Gilman
• Chamarri Conner
• Jaden Hicks
• Chris Roland-Wallace
• Xavier Nwankpa**

IR: Melvin Smith Jr. (Return)
Cut: Kader Kohou, Kevin Knowles, Kaiir Elam, Zelmar Vedder**, D’Arco Perkins-McCallister**, Tanner McCallister, DeShon Singleton**

The why: I’m changing my tune on Kristian Fulton. I think he makes the 53-man roster relatively easily, so long as no team comes offering something the Chiefs can’t refuse. Melvin Smith Jr.’s rib injury is unfortunate timing, but I think he could slot in to one of the IR-designated-to-return spots during roster cuts. Teams are allotted two return designations on cutdown day now. Also, with Chamarri Conner and Alohi Gilman missing the past two games, I’d be surprised if Nwankpa didn’t make the initial 53-man roster.

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Special teams: 3

Kicker: Harrison Butker

Punter: Matt Araiza

Long snapper: James Winchester

Cut: None

The why: For the final time, there’s no competition within this group, so it’s pretty straightforward for Kansas City.