The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to make another trip to the Super Bowl. Here are three veterans who may not make the Week 1 roster.
No Tyreek Hill? No problem for the Kansas City Chiefs. After losing their star wide receiver, there were those in the NFL world who felt this was the start of the downfall of the Chiefs. Instead, Mahomes won another NFL MVP after leading the league in passing and led the team to a Super Bowl 57 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. With that it went to show that no matter the wide receivers around them, as long as Mahomes is at quarterback and Travis Kelce is the starting tight end, they will contend every year.
Currently, the Chiefs are in the midst of training camp. Much like their 31 counterparts, the Chiefs are looking to build the perfect 53-man roster to give them a greater chance to make a run at their fourth Lombardi Trophy.
In every training camp, the influx of young players is looking to make a strong impression on the head coach, hoping that they can either get a spot on the roster or a starting role on the team. If they do, that leaves a veteran on the outside looking in.
Here are three veterans who could be cut before the team's Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions.
3 Chiefs veterans who won't make the 2023 Week 1 roster: Blake Bell, TE
The Chiefs are lucky when it comes to the tight end position. Travis Kelce is a superstar in the league and one of the main contributors to Kansas City's offense. But, as is the case on every team, you want to have depth behind your superstar.
While no one on the roster can put up the numbers that Kelce can, the Chiefs have plenty of options on their current depth chart. Noah Gray and Jody Fortson are right behind Kelce. Then, there's Blake Bell, who re-signed with the team on a one-year deal this offseason.
Bell's first stint with Kansas City took place in 2019, the year they won Super Bowl 54. He would return to the team in 2021 and 2022 before hitting free agency once again. But much like in the past, Bell signed on to play with the Chiefs for their latest Super Bowl defense tour.
Not known for his receiving statistics, Bell is mostly a blocker in the Chiefs' offense. In three years, Bell logged just 19 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown on 30 targets.
Given the presence of Gray and Fortson ahead of him, and Matt Bushman potentially sneaking onto the roster, Bell could get cut before the season.
3 Chiefs veterans who won't make the 2023 Week 1 roster: Daniel Wise, DL
The Kansas City Chiefs have made some moves along the offensive line this season. They notably moved on from Frank Clark, who joined the Denver Broncos and selected Kansas State defensive lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah with their first-round pick. With training camp starting, there was also the notable absence of star tackle Chris Jones, who is holding out, hoping for a new contract.
With Jones absent from camp, the Chiefs are utilizing members of their depth chart to fill in until his return. But, when looking at the defensive line depth chart, it's mighty crowded. One veteran who could be on the outside looking in is Daniel Wise.
The Chiefs signed Wise last year to their practice squad, after logging some playing time in 2021 and 2022 with the now-Washington Commanders. In just 17 games in that span, he logged just 11 combined tackles (five solo, six assisted).
In training camp, Wise notably began splitting time with Matt Dickerson in Jones' three-technique spot on the roster. If he can impress coaches in camp, Wise may find a way onto the roster. But given how crowded it is on the defensive line, his path may be difficult.
3 Chiefs veterans who won't make the 2023 Week 1 roster: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
One player on the Kansas City Chiefs who could be in danger of making the roster is former 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
After winning Super Bowl 54, the Chiefs decided to use their top selection on Edwards-Helaire, who lit up college football alongside quarterback Joe Burrow at LSU. With this addition, the Chiefs expected to have their running back for the foreseeable future. As Edwards-Helaire's career progressed, one thing became evident — the running back has injury issues.
In 2020, Edwards-Helaire missed time due to a high ankle sprain and a hip injury. In 2021, he suffered an MCL sprain. Then, this past season, Edwards-Helaire suffered another ankle injury.
This past season, the Chiefs watched rookie Isiah Pacheco skyrocket up the depth chart and become a reliable starter. Not to mention that Jerick McKinnon was a touchdown machine for the team, picking up 10 touchdowns from scrimmage.
In training camp, Edwards-Helaire is right behind Pacheco and McKinnon. The team declined to pick up his fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Could the Chiefs opt to cut him ahead of Week 1? It all depends on how Andy Reid wants to utilize his running backs. If he thinks they can get the most out of Pacheco and McKinnon, as well as rookie Deneric Prince.
