NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: The helmet of Trey Smith #65 of the Kansas City Chiefs seen in the locker room prior to Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Eagles defeated the Chiefs 40-22. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs have determined the initial 53-man roster. Now, the next step is building out a 16-man practice squad.
At noon Arrowhead Time on Monday, players unclaimed on the waiver wire will be available to sign to NFL practice squads.
Most players who will fill the practice squad will have previously been waived from the Chiefs’ 90-man roster. Up to six of the 16 players each team can carry on its practice squad may have any amount of league experience. So it’s possible the Chiefs could sign some practice-squad players from the pool of veteran players just released by other teams — who will not have to go through waivers — before Monday’s deadline.
The Chiefs are eighth in the waiver order, so the front office has an opportunity to claim a player and bring them onto the 53-man roster at the expense of a player who initially made it.
The Chiefs have relied on practice-squad call-ups throughout their era of three Super Bowl titles. This year, Kansas City is tied for the fifth-lowest odds (+1700) to win Super Bowl LXI among all NFL teams, according to FanDuel Sportsbook .
Chiefs practice squad news & rumors
The Chiefs hope to bring left tackle Esa Pole back to the practice squad, but there is outside interest, according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star .
There is a possibility that undrafted rookie wide receiver Jacob De Jesus lands on the practice squad should he clear waivers, per Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star .