Arrowheadlines: Roster projections sees 7 receivers make the final roster

The latest

Final Chiefs 53-man roster projection: Why surprises (and trades) could be ahead | The Athletic

Receivers (7)

In: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio

Notable cut: Jason Brownlee

The top six guys became clear as the preseason progressed. Remigio, meanwhile, gets elevated in this final projection after some good moments as a receiver in Friday’s preseason finale. Roster cut day can be all about trying to keep as many assets as possible,

and Remigio was cut last year and cleared waivers before joining the team’s practice squad and establishing a role late in the season. The Chiefs could try that process again next week while hoping Remigio will make it back to them for a second consecutive year. But maybe it’s simpler to just go into Week 1 without worrying about what to do at punt returner if Remigio happened to be claimed. Brownlee is a practice-squad candidate regardless of what happens with Remigio, as he provides a jump-ball, red zone threat that the Chiefs could use at some point if injuries arise.

Preseason Week 3 Game Recap: Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Friday’s games | PFF

Brashard Smith moves up the Kansas City depth chart: Smith received two targets with the Chiefs on their first drive.

Smith didn’t appear to be a major part of the Chiefs’ plans through the first two preseason games. He played in the third quarter as the team’s fifth running back in the opener, and he didn’t see the field until the second quarter in the second game, still working as the fifth back on the depth chart.

In this game, Isiah Pacheco started as usual on a longer opening drive. Smith played two second-down snaps and was targeted deep on both, recording a 13.0-yard average depth of target. He dropped the first pass but hauled in the second. Kareem Hunt, returning from a two-week absence due to a quad contusion, also played a snap later in the drive.

Kareem Hunt played every snap on the second drive, reinforcing his place as the No. 2 back despite Smith’s earlier involvement. The Chiefs returned to Pacheco on the third drive, continuing the alternating pattern they used last season. Smith took the fourth drive with the backups, indicating he may now be third on the depth chart, leapfrogging Carson Steele and Elijah Mitchell. That shift makes Mitchell a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

Vikings trade QB Sam Howell to Eagles, sign QB Carson Wentz | NFL.com

Minnesota hosted Wentz for a visit and then signed him, bringing in the nine-year veteran who began his career with the Eagles and also played for the Commanders alongside Howell in 2022.

Wentz, 32, has made 94 starts (98 games played) with 22,410 passing yards, 153 touchdowns and 67 interceptions. An MVP candidate early on in his career before an injury cut short his best season in Philly, he recently served as a backup to Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs in 2024.

Like Howell, Wentz has been around of late — the Vikings mark his sixth team in six years — but he’s as sure a hand as any available at this point to play behind McCarthy. Plus, his veteran know-how could also be valuable to McCarthy’s continued development.

After 3 Super Bowl Wins in Six Years, Kansas City Chiefs Set to Increase its $115 Million Profit | The SportsRush

As a result, the club sported an operating income of $115 million in the latest released 2024 Forbes data, a drastic improvement from their $9 million total in 2021. Nevertheless, that number will likely climb even higher in the future, considering their rising popularity with consistent championship wins alongside the Taylor Swift effect.

Valued at $4.9 billion, per Forbes, the Chiefs are as rich now as they have ever been. Their total brand value jumped by 13% in the past calendar year alone, and the $591 million in revenue that they generated is their highest total of the past decade.

Around the NFL

Buccaneers waiving rookie safety Shilo Sanders, agents say | ESPN

Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey told Schefter that they hope Sanders gets claimed on waivers.

NFL teams are currently in the process of trimming their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday’s deadline.

The news comes after Sanders was ejected from Tampa Bay’s third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night for throwing a punch.

Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers not ruling out ‘running it back’ with Pittsburgh in 2026 | CBS Sports

Rodgers, 41, offered a glimpse into his thinking regarding his future in the NFL when Steelers teammate DK Metcalf was recently asked about what people can expect out of Pittsburgh’s team in 2025. Metcalf and Rodgers were part of a busy offseason for the Steelers that also included the acquisitions of fellow Pro Bowlers Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay along with promising rookies such as first-round pick Derrick Harmon, running back Kaleb Johnson, defensive tackle Yahya Black and outside linebacker Jack Sawyer.

“I think we’re gonna do some special things this year. Looking forward to it,” Metcalf said on teammate Cam Heyward’s podcast before smiling and turning in Rodgers’ direction. “And you know, maybe we can run it back.”

“Maybe,” a smiling Rodgers said in response.

Given that back and forth, it’s clear Metcalf has already begun lobbying Rodgers to play beyond the 2025 season. And, based on Rodgers’ response to Metcalf’s comment, it’s clear he is keeping an open mind when it comes to his future in Pittsburgh.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs-Bears: 11 winners and 5 losers from the preseason finale

Winnerss

Left guard Kingsley Suamataia and left tackle Josh Simmons: The biggest offseason question may have been answered in the best possible way. Simmons has dominated the offseason headlines by not only being ahead of schedule but also by taking the blindside position from day one. He looks like a natural — a guy who could change this line for the foreseeable future. Then the attention turned to second-year man Kingsley Suamataia, the presumed successor to Joe Thuney. The new-look Chiefs offensive line was dominant against the Bears’ starters. With all eyes on the left side, the future looks bright for the big guys upfront.

Running back Isiah Pacheco: There was a lot of chatter about the Chiefs wanting an upgrade at the running back position. But Isiah Pacheco isn’t hearing any of that: he’s running hard and scoring touchdowns. Given what we’ve seen so far, it could be a big season for Pacheco.