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Chiefs Officially Cut 7 Players After Disappointing Season

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jan 13, 2026 1:16 PM ET

For all but eight teams, the 2025 NFL season is over and the offseason has already begun. The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off of their first year without a trip to the playoffs in a decade, are making some roster changes and one noteworthy player has been sent home for good.

According to Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports, practice squad contracts expired for seven Chiefs players. As a result, those players are no longer with the team.

The seven players include offensive guard Nick Broeker, wide receiver Jason Brownlee, defensive end Malik Herring, fullback Carson Steele, defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, tight end Tre Watson and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Practice squad contracts officially expired for the following Chiefs players this morning:

-OG Nick Broeker
-WR Jason Brownlee
-RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
-DE Malik Herring
-FB Carson Steele
-DT Marlon Tuipulotu
-TE Tre Watson
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) January 12, 2026

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Edwards-Helaire joined the Chiefs as a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, becoming the first running back selected under head coach Andy Reid during the Patrick Mahomes era. Coming off a national championship season at LSU, Edwards-Helaire made an immediate impact as a rookie, surpassing 1,100 yards from scrimmage and helping Kansas City reach Super Bowl LV. His versatility as a runner and receiver fit well within the Chiefs’ offense, though his rookie year also highlighted durability concerns that would follow him throughout his tenure.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

In the seasons that followed, Edwards-Helaire’s role gradually diminished as injuries and inconsistency limited his availability and effectiveness. The Chiefs increasingly turned to a running back committee, and while Edwards-Helaire remained a contributor, he was no longer the focal point of the backfield. Despite reduced usage, he was part of multiple Super Bowl–winning teams during his time on the roster.

Have we seen the last of Edwards-Helaire in the NFL?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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