Despite not making a single choice at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have decided to thin out the competition at tight end in the days following the event.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson posted the news that the Chiefs had officially parted ways with tight end Anthony Firkser and Baylor Cupp. Those were two of the Chiefs’ multiple roster moves made on Wednesday.
The Chiefs are making moves before holding their rookie minicamp on May 3-5, giving them space to sign exciting young prospects, which is especially important given the number of players trying out.
Let’s break down all the latest roster cuts for the Chiefs.
Chiefs make room at TE
The primary area of focus for the Chiefs’ latest transactions could be found at tight end.
Anthony Firkser was a journeyman tight end who’d impressed Chiefs coaches enough to stick around beyond the 2024 campaign. The Chiefs originally signed him to the practice squad in November, in the middle of the team’s 15-2 run through the regular season.
Following the completion of the season—a devastating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a failed three-peat bid for Kansas City—Firkser accepted an invitation to return to the Chiefs roster on a reserve/futures deal. Firkser looked set up to compete with other fringe roster players as the summer went on, but the Chiefs are getting a bit ahead of the curve.
Cupp came to the Chiefs by way of Texas Tech as an undrafted free agent in 2024, and he also received a futures deal entering this offseason. Cupp has been on the roster longer than Firkser and perhaps he’s a candidate to return if new faces aren’t able to take advantage of the opening (see below).
The reason for the moves might be the presence of Jake Briningstool, a newly-signed rookie free agent who went undrafted out of Clemson. Briningstool is the school’s all-time leader in receptions at tight end and second in yards and touchdowns. His body of work makes it clear he’s got the hands to excel at the next level and the Chiefs might be giving him the opportunity to prove it.
Of course, there are plenty of other contestants in the way. The Chiefs even have another free agent journeyman in Robert Tonyan that they’ve already signed earlier this spring in free agency. Baylor Cupp is also a holdover from 2024, while Tre Watson is another undrafted free agent trying to latch onto the roster.
All of these players are vying for one potential active roster spot and, more likely, a role on the practice squad given the presence of Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley.
Interestingly, Firkser spent an almost equal amount of time—from November to spring—with the Chiefs back in the 2017-18 campaigns. Since then, he’s logged time with the Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots.
Chiefs waive young guard option
McKade Mettauer was among those who was also released alongside the tight ends (and others), and the move is not surprising. The Chiefs are flush with young investments inside and they’ve already locked down Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith up front.
Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson are both interior linemen who were drafted a year ago, and the Chiefs are also sliding Kingsley Suamataia inside from left tackle. In addition, Mike Caliendo is back to compete for Joe Thuney’s old role.
Other moves made
The Chiefs also waived linebacker Shaun Bradley, who most fans might not even realize was a member of the roster, and received a roster exemption for offensive lineman Chukwuebuka Godrick.
