2 Chiefs cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp

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2 Chiefs cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp

Yago Antunes, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Sat, Jul 18, 2026 ·

6 min read

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2 Chiefs cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The Kansas City Chiefs remain committed to Patrick Mahomes despite the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. ESPN recently estimated that the quarterback could command seven first-round picks in a hypothetical trade, a staggering valuation that highlights his importance to the franchise. Travis Kelce continues to receive national recognition as well . Although the veteran tight end has gone three consecutive seasons without reaching 1,000 receiving yards, Sports Illustrated ranked him ninth among NFL tight ends heading into 2026.

While Kansas City 's stars are secure, the situation becomes less certain for players at the bottom of the roster. The Chiefs have crowded position groups at wide receiver and defensive end, where established players will compete against younger, less expensive options during training camp.

Here are two Chiefs cut candidates who may be on the chopping block as the 2026 NFL training camp begins.

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WR Nikko Remigio

Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images

Nikko Remigio finally received an extended opportunity during the 2025 season, serving as Kansas City's primary kickoff and punt returner for most of the year. He appeared in 14 games and finished with 932 combined return yards, providing the Chiefs with a reliable option in a role that had frequently changed hands in previous seasons.

Kansas City rewarded him with a new contract in April, but that agreement does not guarantee him a spot on the roster, as Remigio enters camp in a crowded 13-player wide receiver room. Rashee Rice , Xavier Worthy , and Tyquan Thornton are positioned for significant offensive roles, while 2025 fourth-round pick Jalen Royals is expected to receive another chance after an injury disrupted his rookie season. The Chiefs also selected Cyrus Allen in the fifth round this year, and reports indicate that the rookie made several plays during the offseason program.

That already accounts for five receivers before Kansas City considers other return specialists and depth players. The Chiefs have typically carried seven receivers into Week 1, which would leave two openings. Remigio has the strongest professional resume among those vying for those spots, but his chances depend heavily on his performance in special teams.

While Remigio contributed little to the offense last season, logging only one reception for 21 yards, this was understandable given the presence of Rice, Worthy, and Kelce. However, it also limits his margin for error, and if another receiver can offer similar return capabilities while providing more offensive upside, the Chiefs may have a reason to make a change.

Jacob De Jesus may pose the most immediate threat, as the undrafted rookie recorded 108 receptions at California last season and brings extensive experience returning both kicks and punts. He stood out during offseason practices, showing his ability to compete for return duties while potentially offering more as a slot receiver, making him especially appealing to the coaching staff.

Remigio also finished last season on injured reserve due to a knee issue. Reports regarding his new contract indicated that he has recovered and is expected to resume his return role in 2026, but he must demonstrate that the injury has not affected his speed or confidence. Return specialists rely on acceleration, sharp cuts, and the willingness to navigate tight spaces, so even a slight decline in performance could impact the competition.

Additionally, other young receivers create further pressure. Jeff Caldwell produced elite athletic testing results before going undrafted, while Omari Evans reportedly ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at Washington's pro day. Jason Brownlee made the initial roster last season after an impressive summer, and Andrew Armstrong led the SEC in receiving yards during his final college season.

Several of these players could be sent to the practice squad with minimal risk, but Remigio, who has already demonstrated he can handle NFL return duties, might be more appealing to another team if the Chiefs waive him. That experience could work in his favor as they evaluates its final roster but may also make the organization more inclined to retain a developmental receiver and trust that another return option will arise.

DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Felix Anudike-Uzomah enters his fourth NFL season without having established the role expected of a first-round pick. The Chiefs selected the Kansas State product with the final pick of the first round in 2023, envisioning an athletic defensive end who could develop behind their veteran starters. Instead, Anudike-Uzomah has remained a rotational player, and his production has not matched his draft status.

In his first two seasons, he recorded only 1.5 sacks, and a major knee injury caused him to miss the entire 2025 campaign. He returns to a defensive line that looks significantly different from the one he left. Kansas City drafted Peter Woods in the first round and R. Mason Thomas in the third, adding two young players who should receive immediate opportunities. Woods can line up at various spots across the front, while Thomas provides defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with another developmental pass rusher on the edge.

The Chiefs also have George Karlaftis as one of their primary defensive ends. Chris Jones remains the centerpiece of the line, and several depth players will compete for snaps behind that core. Therefore, Anudike-Uzomah enters camp with very little room for a slow return.

His first-round pedigree still carries some weight, especially since the Chiefs have invested three developmental seasons in him. He understands Spagnuolo's system, has experience playing both defense and special teams, and is only 24 years old. The team would prefer to see that patience yield a meaningful contributor rather than release him before his rookie contract expires. However, the current roster may force the organization to evaluate him like any other reserve.

A recent trade proposal linked Anudike-Uzomah to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a late-round selection , reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his future in Kansas City. A former first-rounder entering the final season of his rookie deal would typically hold considerable value, but his limited production and lost 2025 season have diminished expectations.

Pursuing a trade would make more sense than simply cutting him if another team remains interested. Kansas City could recover an asset while allowing Anudike-Uzomah an opportunity to find a larger role elsewhere, and the downside is that interested teams might opt to wait, knowing he could become available during final roster cuts.

His health will influence everything in the end. If Anudike-Uzomah fully recovers, he could still provide valuable depth as a run defender and rotational pass rusher. The Chiefs regularly utilize multiple defensive linemen, and Spagnuolo values players who can handle different alignments and assignments. If he regains his explosiveness, there should still be room for him.

Training camp will offer the first meaningful comparison between Anudike-Uzomah and Kansas City's new draft picks. While Woods seems secure, Thomas must still prove he is ready for regular NFL snaps.

The risk arises if Anudike-Uzomah underperforms while Thomas develops quickly. In that scenario, Kansas City would be holding a roster spot for a player nearing free agency without a defined role. Special teams could help him stay, although former first-round picks are rarely retained solely for that reason.

Anudike-Uzomah still has the talent to change the narrative, of course, but he has only one training camp left to demonstrate to the Chiefs that their original investment can yield more than just occasional rotational snaps. If significant improvement does not manifest during the preseason, Kansas City may conclude that waiting another year no longer benefits either side.

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