Chiefs show continued belief in B.J. Thompson with low-key move

The transaction was never going to make any major headlines, but the Kansas City Chiefs are still keeping B.J. Thompson in the fold.

The second-year pass rusher, who suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest in June 2024, was waived with a non-football illness designation earlier this week. After clearing waivers, Thompson reverted to the team’s Reserve/NFI list, which allows the Chiefs to keep him around without having him count toward the 90-man roster.

While this doesn’t guarantee Thompson’s return to the field anytime soon, it does offer continued investment from the Chiefs. Head coach Andy Reid spoke about Thompson's progress after minicamp concluded.

"He is making progress, he's just not quite there yet, but he's made great strides ... It doesn't mean his career is over by any means, it's just where we're at today," said Reid.

Thompson was always viewed as a developmental play when the Chiefs used a fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) on him in the 2023 NFL Draft. He came to the Chiefs from Stephen F. Austin after transferring from Baylor and stood out more for his athletic potential than polished tape, with draft analysts focused on his (hopefully) high ceiling as a situational pass rusher with a raw skill set.

While at Baylor as a sophomore, Thompson had 4 sacks and even had 3 blocked kicks, showcasing his incredible natural athleticism. After transferring to Stephen F. Austin, he had 21 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks in his final two collegiate seasons.

The day three pick in the draft represented a worthy bet for Kansas City general manager Brett Veach on rare traits at a premium position.

During his rookie season, Thompson made the team's active roster but only made it onto the field for a single game. Just as he was preparing for a second summer with the Chiefs, tragedy struck as Thompson collapsed in a special teams meeting. He was resuscitated and transported to the hospital, where he remained in stable condition before being discharged days later.

Since then, Thompson's status has remained a mystery, and his long-term future with the team remains unclear. But by keeping him on the Reserve/NFI list, the Chiefs are allowing him the time and space to prioritize his health. It’s a quiet but meaningful decision that shows K.C. still believes in his potential and/or wants to make sure he's taken care of.