This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Cooper McDonald.
In his interview with Easton Jr., McDonald discussed his partnership with premium outdoor brand SITKA Gear. He recalled his undrafted free agent journey to the 53-man roster last season.
"I grew up hunting all my life. My father got all three of my brothers into hunting. There are three of us, and we used to wear some other brands," said McDonald. "But as we got older, we started to realize that what you wore and what you used out in the hunting field mattered. So we came across SITKA a couple of years ago, fell in love with it, and then I ended up making it to the NFL. I was thinking of brands I could reach out to, and I thought, I like hunting, so let's
try SITKA."
McDonald went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft after playing college football for the Washington Huskies, San Diego State Aztecs, and TCU Horned Frogs.
"Every kid, every football player wants to hear their name called on draft day. When that didn't happen, I was honestly pretty upset. But I remember talking to my dad that night. I was like, "Whatever happens, I end up getting the minicamp invite to the Chiefs," said McDonald. I was like, "Whatever happens, it's going to be a great testimony from my experience and what I've been through. So, going into rookie training camp, my mindset was to do as much as I could in the short time I had. Put my best foot forward and leave no doubt that I had everything. So I did that, and I ended up getting signed to the 90-man roster."
McDonald impressed coaches during offseason camps and training camp, eventually earning a roster spot. He became a standout on special teams aside from his role as a linebacker on defense.
"We went to training camp, and I didn't feel any pressure. I was just kind of the new guy that they just signed to fill a spot," said McDonald. "That's kind of what I thought it was. As training camp went on, I started making plays and gaining confidence. And that just kind of carried throughout all the preseason. Being told I made the 53 was an absolute dream come true. I'm glad it all went the way it did because that's exactly how it's supposed to happen."
SITKA Gear, the premium outdoor apparel brand known for pushing the boundaries of hunting and fishing performance, recently announced the launch of "For the Obsessed." A new creative platform built upon a simple reframe: Obsession isn't a flaw. It's the defining trait of the modern sportsman.
Go to sitkagear.com to learn more about how SITKA enhances the full life experience of the hunter.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Cooper McDonald recalls his UDFA journey to the 53-man roster
