There will be drama over the next couple of days as the Chiefs trim their roster to 53 players and shape their practice squad.
But by establishing a dynasty with five Super Bowl trips, three Vince Lombardi trophies and seven straight AFC Championship Game appearances, the process isn’t what it used to be.
Consider 2013, coach Andy Reid’s first year in Kansas City. The Chiefs opened that season with 30 players who were new to the roster, including seven claimed off the waiver wire.
It worked then, as the Chiefs flipped a 2-14 team into an 11-5 group that went to the playoffs. And it works now.
With the NFL deadline for cuts looming at 3 p.m. Tuesday, here’s how Pete Sweeney and Blair Kerkhoff, who cover the Chiefs for The Star, project the 53-man roster shaking out.
Offense
Quarterbacks (2): Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew
Minshew has had a good preseason, with a 91.3 passer rating, a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown. He had five full possessions in three games, and the Chiefs scored on three, with a fourth ending on downs in the red zone. Chris Oladokun began camp as the team’s fourth quarterback, but he played his way past Bailey Zappe and into the team’s third-string role on the practice squad.
Running backs (3): Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith
Pacheco appears at full strength after last season’s fractured fibula. He should get most of the third-down calls. Rookie Brashard Smith “turned a corner” late in training camp, according to Reid, and his playing time with the first team against the Chicago Bears in the final preseason game reflected that. Elijah Mitchell and Carson Steele become victims of a numbers crunch, and it would be unsurprising to see the Chiefs add a back from outside the organization.
Wide receivers (7): Rashee Rice, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, Nikko Remigio
Although Brown didn’t play in the preseason, indications are he’ll be ready in two weeks. That may not be the case for Royals, who is dealing with knee tendinitis. Still, don’t look for an IR stay for Royals, which is why the Chiefs could keep seven at this position. Thornton may have played his way onto the roster with an outstanding camp, including a 58-yard reception against the Bears. Remigio is the team’s top return specialist, as frequently referenced by coordinator Dave Toub.
Tight ends (4): Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Robert Tonyan, Jared Wiley
Tonyan, the team’s top receiver in this year’s preseason games, with eight receptions for 90 yards, excelled in training camp. The question is, will the Chiefs keep four tight ends? Jared Wiley has been dealing with a knee issue and hasn’t looked the same. Jake Briningstool missed all the preseason games while recovering from a hamstring injury. Wiley and Briningstool could be injured reserve candidates.
Offensive line (9): Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, Jaylon Moore, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, Wanya Morris
This number could increase to 10 if the Chiefs keep one fewer wide receiver. As it stands, the starting line is set with Simmons and Taylor at tackle, Suamataia and Smith at guards and Humphrey at center. Moore can play both tackle positions and lined up as a guard during two days of training camp. Morris is a swing tackle and Caliendo and Nourzad spell the interior linemen. If the Chiefs keep 10, tackle Esa Pole impressed at training camp.
Defense
Tackles (4): Chris Jones, Omar-Norman Lott, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel
The Chiefs just swung a deal to bring back Nnadi, who had signed with the New York Jets after last season. The interior line didn’t fare well in preseason games when Jones wasn’t on the field. Nnadi gives the Chiefs a run-stuffer for the early downs. Does this make Jerry Tillery the odd man out? Or could it be Pennel, who has spent the last two seasons in Kansas City?
Defensive ends (5): George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Ashton Gillotte, Charles Omenihu, Malik Herring
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the former first-round pick from Kansas State, would be here, but he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Seattle. Although Herring has played in 26 games over the past three years for the Chiefs, this position group could use a boost. Perhaps one of the league-wide cuts finds his way to Kansas City.
Linebackers (6): Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jeffrey Bassa, Jack Cochrane, Cooper McDonald
If he makes the team, McDonald would be the biggest longshot. He came to rookie mini-camp as a tryout player from TCU and has impressed every step of the way. This is a strong position group and Toub will be getting some excellent talent for his specials teams among the non-starters.
Cornerback (6): Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Kristian Fulton, Nazeeh Johnson, Nohl Williams, Chris Roland-Wallace
A notable name not included here is Joshua Williams, whose playing time in the preseason game and reps at training camp suggest he’s become buried on the depth chart. If he doesn’t remain with the Chiefs, he will easily catch on with another club.
Safeties (4): Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks, Chamarri Conner, Mike Edwards
The Chiefs have enjoyed an incredible run of leaders at safety under Reid, from Eric Berry to Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid. Who steps up from this group?
Specialists (3): Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester
This trio returns for a second straight season, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed that special teams played exceptionally well in the preseason.