Chiefs’ latest minicamp adjustment probably isn’t worth reading into

With the team's mandatory minicamp coming into view in a week, the Kansas City Chiefs made some preparatory moves in anticipation. Specifically, the Chiefs decided to release defensive tackle Siaki Ika in order to create a roster spot to sign tight end Kevin Foelsch.

It's easy to try to read into such roster moves, even for players competing for spots on the bottom of the depth chart. Still, the primary narrative around the addition of Foelsch is about the temporary nature of things. The Chiefs have a fairly pressing need in the interim, and Foelsch can fill it.

Let's fill in the blanks first. Foelsch is in his second NFL offseason, trying to find a place to hang on. He arrived in the league as an undrafted free agent out of the University of New Haven (Division II) in 2024 with the Carolina Panthers. The 6'4 TE had 73 catches for 660 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his final three collegiate seasons.

The Chiefs' latest roster moves are a short-term shift before mandatory minicamp.

When his opportunity with the Panthers didn't work out, the New York Jets came calling with a shot in training camp, but he was released there as well. Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles allowed Foelsch to hang around the practice squad for several weeks. He was let go in December and has been available as a free agent ever since.

The slight long-term upside here for the Chiefs is that they get an up-close look at a tight end who is on the list of players they could call in case of emergency. That sort of interaction has value, and Foelsch is clearly going to do his best to show off all he can when in front of the Chiefs' coaching staff.

That said, this is a short-term move to cover short-term needs and nothing more from the Chiefs' perspective. Jared Wiley remains in recovery from a lost rookie season due to a torn ACL. Rookie free agent Tre Watson is also injured. That leaves the depth chart lacking in the face of K.C.'s minicamp needs.

It's possible that Foelsch could turn out to be a nice surprise for the Chiefs, but it would be shocking if that became the narrative. The Chiefs already have the expected players to occupy both the active roster and practice squad at the position for the 2025 season, which means fans shouldn't read anything into the latest roster moves.