
The Kansas City Chiefs are approaching another season with Andy Reid still calling the shots and Patrick Mahomes leading the offense alongside Travis Kelce. On the other side of the ball, Chris Jones continues to headline a defense expected to carry a significant load as Kansas City looks to return to the postseason.
But before the Chiefs can turn their attention fully toward the regular season, Reid and the front office still have some difficult decisions to make.
The Chiefs released veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, ending his second stint with Kansas City just 19 days after the team signed him to a one-year contract.
The move comes as the Chiefs work through the final stages of their roster decisions ahead of the 53-man deadline.
However, Ogbah’s time in Kansas City may not be completely finished. Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick reported that Ogbah will likely land on the practice squad as additional depth. Because he is a vested veteran, Ogbah does not have to go through the waiver process, giving Kansas City the flexibility to bring him back after finalizing its roster.
Ogbah will likely land on the practice squad as additional depth. He’s a vested veteran who doesn’t have to clear waivers. https://t.co/xluerJmre2
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 30, 2026
Ogbah returned to Kansas City during training camp, rejoining the franchise that acquired him in 2019. He played 10 games during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning season, recording 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles and three passes defended.
His season ended with a pectoral injury, but he still earned a Super Bowl ring when Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers.
Ogbah’s NFL journey began when the Cleveland Browns selected him 32nd overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impression, leading the Browns with 5.5 sacks as a rookie. He spent three seasons in Cleveland before being traded to Kansas City, then joined the Miami Dolphins in 2020.
The Dolphins became the most productive stop of his career. Ogbah recorded nine sacks in both 2020 and 2021, finishing his career with 47.5 sacks, 331 tackles, 42 passes defended, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries across 136 games.
After the Dolphins released him in 2024, he returned to Miami on a one-year deal for the 2024 season. Then, in April 2025, Ogbah entered free agency again and signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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