Chiefs GM Brett Veach
Getty
With roster cutdowns in the books, Chiefs GM Brett Veach has made his initial round of practice squad pickups.
For now, it appears the Kansas City Chiefs have done a nice job of retooling their roster.
They have replaced several players who were either unproductive, too expensive to keep, or both. The Chiefs are now younger and faster, while also having some lighter contracts o the books. However, no team is perfect, and certain positions could still use an upgrade.
Wide Receiver Named Kansas City Chiefs’ Biggest Remaining Need
Chiefs give injury update on Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy for Week 13 vs Cowboys.
GettyChiefs WRs Rashee Rice (left) and Xavier Worthy (right)
ESPN NFL analyst Aaron Schatz recently called out every NFL team’s biggest remaining roster need. Here is why he landed on wide receiver for Kansas City:
“The performance of the Chiefs’ wide receivers, according to ESPN’s receiver scores last season, were significantly bad. Rashee Rice is generally believed to be one of the league’s top slot receivers, but he scored just a 49 out of 100 in an off season. Tyquan Thornton had a 36 and Xaiver Worthy just a 25. The top player behind these three receivers is 2025 fourth-round pick Jalen Royals, who had just two catches in his rookie season for 4 yards. The Chiefs also have return specialist Nikko Remigio and fifth-round rookie Cyrus Allen. They really must add a veteran free agent here.”
The Chiefs likely agree with Schatz to a certain degree, as NFL insider Adam Schefter recently revealed that they showed interest in Jauan Jennings before he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Although it didn’t use an early draft pick on a wide receiver, Kansas City did take one in the fifth round, selecting Cincinnati Bearcat Cyrus Allen.
Given that they waited until the middle rounds to draft one and have not yet signed a free agent, it seems likely that the Chiefs are higher on their WR corps than those outside of the organization. They hired a new WRs coach in Chad O’Shea, and they believe that he can get more out of the group than the former Conner Embree.
O’Shea has an impressive track record as a WRs coach dating back to 2009. He has helped develop some big-names over the years, such as Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Randy Moss, Danny Amendola, Brandin Cooks, DeVante Parker, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Amari Cooper, and Jerry Jeudy.
Chiefs May Have Tyreek Hill on Standby
Tyreek Hill
GettyFree agent WR Tyreek Hill
Hill hasn’t been shy about his desire to return to the Chiefs. He has spent the majority of the offseason rehabbing after he tore multiple ligaments in his left knee last season. ESPN’s Chiefs insider Nate Taylor recently stated he believes the odds of Hill returning to the team are better than not.
“We know that Tyreek is planning to play this upcoming season,” Taylor said on 96.5 The Fan. “You’re going to get more updates on his health, given his rehab. We know he’s a diligent worker, so I don’t think that’s the issue. I don’t want to be hyperbolic or over the top, but I think there’s like more than a 50 percent chance that he’s in a Chiefs uniform. I will put it at like 55 percent, maybe even 60.”
If there is mutual interest on both sides, then there really isn’t a need to rush. It is unknown when Hill will be recovered enough to see the field, and it could take as long as well into the regular season. Hill returning would likely happen after the Chiefs see how their roster shakes out at the conclusion of preseason.