NFL waiver wire explained: Chiefs players subject to the process

The Kansas City Chiefs have over 50 players who could be subject to waivers if they are cut from their roster.

Of course, some players on their rookie contracts should be safe from being waived — including wide receiver Rashee Rice and 2025’s first-round pick Josh Simmons. But if any of these players are waived this week, they can be claimed by another team.

If they are not claimed by another team, they can be signed to Kansas City’s 16-man practice squad, which the team will begin assembling on Wednesday.

Which Chiefs players would be subject to waivers?

WR Elijhah Badger
LB Jeffrey Bassa
TE Jake Briningstool
DB Ajani Carter
OL Dalton Cooper
CB Jacobe Covington
WR Mac Dalena
LB Brandon George
DE Ashton Gillotte
WR Jimmy Holiday
DT Coziah Izzard
DB Kevin Knowles
OL Joey Lombard
DE Nate Matlack
LB Cooper McDonald
S Glendon Miller
LB Xander Mueller
DT Omarr Norman-Lott
OL Esa Pole
WR Hal Presley
WR Jalen Royals
OT Josh Simmons
RB Brashard Smith
WR Key’Shawn Smith
CB Melvin Smith Jr.
TE Tre Watson
S Major Williams
DB Nohl Williams
LB Owen Carney
OT Chukwuebuka Godrick
DB Azizi Hearn
DT Fabien Lovett Sr.
QB Chris Oladokun
WR Nikko Remigio
TE Geor’Quarius Spivey
RB Michael Wiley
P Matt Araiza
WR Jason Brownlee
LB Cole Christiansen
OT Ethan Driskell
OL C.J. Hanson
DB Jaden Hicks
OL Hunter Nourzad
CB Chris Roland-Wallace
FB Carson Steele
T Kingsley Suamataia
TE Jared Wiley
WR Xavier Worthy
OL Mike Caliendo
DB Chamarri Conner
LB Cam Jones
OL Wanya Morris
WR Rashee Rice

What does it mean when an NFL player is waived?

Not all players who have been cut from a roster become free agents who may sign with another team.

Any player with fewer than four accrued seasons must be waived. Accrued seasons are earned when a player spends at least six games on a team’s active roster or one of its reserve lists (injured, PUP or NFI) in a given season. Once a player is waived, any team may claim them, assuming their current NFL contract. Teams that are lower on the waiver wire (listed below) have precedence in these claims.

If a player with at least four accrued seasons is cut, they are released. They immediately become free agents who can sign with any team.

What is the NFL waiver order right now?

The NFL waiver order during the preseason (and the first three weeks of the regular season) mirrors the 2025 NFL Draft order. But after the fourth game of the season, it resets to the current NFL standings. So right now, the Titans have first crack at every player on waivers.