Chiefs Terminate Contract After Missing NFL Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 6, 2026 7:37 AM ET

Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs saw their 10-year run come to an end following the 2025 NFL season. After 10 consecutive playoff appearances, including three Super Bowl wins in five trips, the Chiefs missed the postseason entirely, finishing 6-11 and riding a six-game losing streak as they enter the offseason.

Kansas City now appears poised for significant change. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to recover from an ACL tear suffered in December, a setback expected to sideline him until around the start of next season. Tight end Travis Kelce could also be on his way out after completing his 13th NFL season, while offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is expected to explore potential head-coaching opportunities.

However, the Chiefs did not wait long following the Week 18 season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders to begin making roster changes.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injuryJay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Tanner McCalister, a 5-foot-11 safety out of Ohio State, went undrafted in 2023 before getting picked up by the Cleveland Browns. He spent one season in Cleveland, mostly on the practice squad, but was active for three games, recording two tackles. McCalister spent brief stints with the Denver Broncos in 2024 and the New York Jets in 2025 before joining the Kansas City practice squad on Dec. 16.

But McCalister was unable to earn any action in the final three games of the season, and one day following the loss to the Raiders, the Chiefs decided it was already time to move on from the 25-year-old safety, terminating McCalister's contract.

While McCalister may be looking elsewhere for work to begin the offseason, Kansas City elected to give other players another shot, signing four to reserve/future contracts. This includes linebacker Kam Arnold, defensive tackle Marcus Harris, wide receiver Jimmy Holiday and offensive tackle Matt Waletzko.

"(The Chiefs) signed four players to reserve/future contracts: LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris, WR Jimmy Holiday, & OT Matt Waletzko," A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman wrote on X. "They also terminated S Tanner McCalister's PS contract."

The Chiefs waived QB Shane Buechele, who can now sign back with the Bills or catch on with a playoff team.

They signed four players to reserve/future contracts: LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris, WR Jimmy Holiday, & OT Matt Waletzko.

They also terminated S Tanner McCallister's…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) January 5, 2026

With the 6-11 record, the Chiefs locked up the 9th pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. But Reid is ready to hand over the keys to general manager Brett Veach in the offseason as Kansas City looks to improve the team.

"We've got a good nucleus of guys," Reid said. "You want that foundation... That's where he's going to start... Then you've got Brett picking where he's picking... It'll be a fresh start coming up here."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: