7 Kansas City Chiefs players officially become free agents as practice squad contracts expire for non-playoff teams
The Chiefs and other NFL clubs saw 2025 NFL season practice squad contracts expire on Monday.
The Kansas City Chiefs won’t see most pending free agents leave the club until the new league year begins in March, but several players on the practice squad have now officially seen their contracts expire. This happens a week after the final regular season game for NFL clubs. Teams can re-sign practice squad players to reserve/future deals before those contracts officially expire, which Brett Veach did with four of the team’s practice squad players.
7 Chiefs players are now officially NFL free agents
The following seven practice squad players are now free agents and can sign with any NFL team. They will not count toward the compensatory pick formula. For some players like former first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s finished in Kansas City.
The Chiefs can choose to re-sign these players on reserve/future contracts, but the fact that they haven’t done so already is typically an indication that either the team or the players is choosing to go in another direction. Other NFL teams that were eliminated from the playoffs at the conclusion of Week 18 also saw practice squad contracts expire, which means that Brett Veach can do a little bit of shopping.
NFL players on expiring practice squad contracts that could interest Chiefs GM Brett Veach
The Chiefs have some pretty clear depth needs at defensive line, linebacker, running back, wide receiver, and quarterback. Ultimately, they might wait until they’ve got an offensive coordinator picked out and other members of the coaching staff finalized before bringing in certain players, but there are a few names that could have appeal as reserve/future signings among those who just became street free agents.
Vikings LB Sione Takitaki: The Chiefs are going to need cheap linebacker depth. Takitaki enjoyed a productive career with the Cleveland Browns before spending 2024 with the Patriots and 2025 on the Vikings’ practice squad. He could provide some competition at SAM linebacker for standout rookie Cooper McDonald.
Saints RB Nyheim Hines: Not only does he have some production at running back during his NFL career, but he’s a proven special teamer. He had 7 kick returns for 195 yards with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier in 2025. He could be a low-cost special teams investment that provides competition (and depth) for Brashard Smith at the position.
Giants WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette: The Chiefs haven’t even sniffed a kickoff return touchdown since the new kickoff rules were implemented back in 2024. Ihmir Smith-Marsette had a 100-yard kick return touchdown for New York in 2024, but he spent the entire 2025 season on the team’s practice squad. With some questions at the wide receiver position, K.C. might be wise to bring back this old friend.
Browns DE K.J. Henry: Kansas City needs some fresh faces at edge rusher in 2026. Henry will be 27 next season, and he has 2.5 career sacks, 1.5 with Washington and 1 with Dallas. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds.
One other Chiefs 90-man roster quirk to take note of
You might recall that the Chiefs signed many of their practice squad players to the 53-man roster as injuries mounted late in the 2025 NFL season. Some of those players who would’ve been exclusive-rights free agents signed two-year deals with the team when they were added to the 53-man roster. It’s not an uncommon practice from NFL clubs, but it’s worth noting that players like Esa Pole, Chu Godrick, Chris Oladokun, Zacch Pickens, Ethan Downs, Tyreke Smith, Melvin Smith, and C.J. Hanson are now under contract for the 2026 NFL season.
Kansas City Chiefs News
Kansas City Chiefs C Creed Humphrey strengthens his case as a future NFL Hall of Famer with third career All-Pro selection
Kansas City Chiefs C Creed Humphrey is building a resume fit for Pro Football Hall of Famer.
