The Kansas City Chiefs announced several roster changes on August 30, 2026, as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season. These moves included a trade, players placed on reserve lists, contract terminations for vested veterans, and multiple waivers.
In a notable transaction, the Chiefs acquired offensive tackle Diego Pounds from Mississippi via trade. This move aims to bolster the team’s offensive line.
Two players were placed on reserve lists: defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee was moved to Reserve/PUP (Physically Unable to Perform), and wide receiver Jimmy Holiday from Louisiana Tech was placed on Reserve/Injured.
The Chiefs also terminated the contracts of four vested veterans. These players included linebacker Cole Christiansen from Army, cornerback Kaiir Elam from Florida, cornerback Kader Kohou from Texas A&M-Commerce, and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah from Oklahoma State.
A significant number of players were waived by the team. Among those waived were defensive end Vincent Anthony from Duke, linebacker Kam Arnold from Boston College, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong from Arkansas, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe from Miami, defensive tackle Cole Brevard from Texas, wide receiver Jason Brownlee from Southern Mississippi, wide receiver Jacob De Jesus from California, running back Emari Demercado from Texas Christian, offensive tackle Ethan Driskell from Marshall, wide receiver Omari Evans from Washington, offensive tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick, defensive end Ethan Hurkett from Iowa, linebacker Cam Jones from Indiana, defensive end Niles King from San Diego State, wide receiver Xavier Loyd from Missouri, safety Tanner McCalister from Ohio State, defensive tackle Amari McNeill from Colorado, center Pete Nygra from Louisville, running back Jaydn Ott from Oklahoma, defensive tackle Damon Payne from Michigan, cornerback D’Arco Perkins-McAllister from Louisiana-Monroe, tight end Mason Pline from Furman, offensive tackle Esa Pole from Washington State, safety DeShon Singleton from Nebraska, cornerback Melvin Smith from Southern Arkansas, defensive end Tyreke Smith from Ohio State, guard Josh Thompson from Louisiana State, cornerback Zelmar Vedder from Houston, tight end Tre Watson from Texas A&M, and wide receiver Jeff Weimer from West Virginia.
Additionally, three players were waived with injury designations: guard C.J. Hanson from Holy Cross, quarterback Chris Oladokun from South Dakota State, and running back EJ Smith from Texas A&M.
