Chiefs' latest roster move might spell good news for one UDFA and bad news for another

The Kansas City Chiefs made a pair of roster moves on Monday. 

After revoking his exclusive rights free agent tender ahead of rookie minicamp, the Chiefs have brought back LB Cole Christiansen per Monday's personnel notice. The 26-year-old originally joined the Chiefs in 2022, landing on the practice squad after spending time with the Chargers in the season prior. He's appeared in six games in Kansas City, with over three dozen snaps on special teams. 

In a corresponding move, Kansas City released DT Matt Dickerson. He played a lot of snaps for the Chiefs early in the 2023 NFL season, but he was eventually phased out of the defense entirely as the season progressed. 

Reading in between the lines on these moves for the Chiefs

Ultimately, things that happen during a padless rookie minicamp practice shouldn't sway too much when it comes to personnel decisions. However, in this case, these roster moves could spell good news for one player and perhaps bad news for three others. 

Dickerson was one of the few veterans standing between UDFA DT Fabien Lovett and more snaps during the 2024 NFL offseason. By most accounts, the Florida State product looked dominant at rookie minicamp. Brett Veach even thinks he's got a good shot at making the 53-man roster in 2024. His path isn't quite as complicated with Dickerson now out of the way. 

As for the decision to re-sign Christiansen, that might signal the opposite about a pair of UDFA signings. Perhaps Penn State LB Curtis Jacobs, Central Connecticut State LB Luquay Washington, and Southern Miss LB Swayze Bozeman might not be as ready to contribute. Christiansen, of course, has special teams value for Kansas City, on top of his role as a backup defender at the linebacker position. His addition back to the 90-man offseason roster only hurts their chances to carve out significant snaps during the offseason program with Phase III scheduled to kick off next week.