The Chargers have officially released second-year edge rusher Kyle Kennard, marking an abrupt end to the 2025 fourth-round pick’s tenure in Los Angeles.
Kennard entered the NFL with high expectations after an illustrious collegiate campaign at South Carolina, where he led the SEC with 11.5 sacks and captured the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Selected 125th overall, the 6-foot-4 defender was expected to develop into a rotational pass-rusher.
However, his rookie season was largely stagnant as Kennard was a frequent healthy scratch and logged just 80 defensive snaps across five games.
The pressure intensified during the 2026 offseason. Between missed practice time due to injuries and the emergence of undrafted rookie Nadame Tucker, Kennard found himself
on the roster bubble, thus leaving the team ultimately decided to cut ties.
While Kennard is subject to waivers, his pedigree as a former SEC Defensive Player of the Year makes him a strong candidate for a fresh start elsewhere, or a spot on the Chargers’ practice squad if he clears.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers roster news: LA cuts EDGE Kyle Kennard
