![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jason Brownlee (89) reaches for the ball against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5049,h_2840/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/220/01ke7c8sjxwzvm8m2f3k.jpg "[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jason Brownlee (89) reaches for the ball against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images")
The Kansas City Chiefs finished the 2025 season with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and can now begin focusing on an important offseason. The 2025 season exposed that this isn't a roster that is one or two pieces away from returning to Super Bowl contention. There needs to be a retooling, with only Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid considered truly untouchable when it comes to potential changes.
This includes a practice squad that offered little in the way of unexpected answers in the 2025 season. It is clear that a number of practice squad pieces won't be returning for the 2026 season, including a Super Bowl champion who simply can no longer be relied on in a contributing role.
1. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire was with the Chiefs for the team's 2023 Super Bowl run, offering 223 rushing yards and 188 receiving yards with a pair of touchdowns. This was the last time the back was a productive player, spending a failed season with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 before returning to Kansas City by way of the practice squad. Edwards-Helaire only appeared in two games and have seven rushing attempts for 13 total yards in his return to the Chiefs and as much respect as the back deserves for past accomplishments, it is time to turn the page.
Spending a practice squad spot on a veteran is a waste when the Chiefs could utilize this for a potential surprise contributor. Edwards-Helaire has a known ceiling and appears to be reaching the end of his career. Kansas City needs an influx of fresh talent at running back that will help take pressure off Patrick Mahomes, who is coming off an ACL tear.
This means parting ways with Edwards-Helaire and utilizing the spot for an undrafted rookie or a player who has yet to get a true opportunity. As respected as the back remains for his past accomplishments, it is clear the run in Kansas City is over.
2. WR Jason Brownlee
Brownlee is another Chiefs playmaker who was given every opportunity to carve out a surprise role and simply couldn't take advantage of his chance. The receiver appeared in six games, playing only 26 total offensive snaps and garnering a lone target. Brownlee is indicative of Kansas City's recent tendency to find their receiving depth from other teams' castaways, and it is time for this to change. Only Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice should have their roster spots safe, with the Chiefs needing to clean house at the position.
Brownlee isn't going to be an impact player and clearly can't make the active roster if this season's results only garnered the pass catcher a lone target. Rice missed time with a suspension, and Worthy missed time due to a shoulder injury, opening the door for the Chiefs to find a number of surprise contributors.
The KC pass catcher was unable to take advantage of the moment and remains an afterthought. Much as is the case with Edwards-Helaire, this is a practice squad spot better utilized for a player that is a bit of an unknown as Brownlee's opportunity has come and gone.
3. RB Carson Steele
Steele was a fun story a season ago, making Kansas City's 2024 roster as an undrafted rookie free agent. Fans embraced the underdog narrative and badly wanted Steele to become a consistent contributor out of the KC backfield. Instead, Steele only offered 183 rushing yards with his longest rush being nine yards out of 56 carries. This underwhelming production resulted in Steele being placed on the practice squad the following season and being given zero chance to impact the KC backfield.
Adding to his issues, Steele fumbled twice early in 2024 and brought some obvious ball security concerns. This added to why the Chiefs didn't give Steele a chance in 2025 despite having zero consistent answers in its backfield. This was a glaring sign as possible that the Chiefs are getting ready to move on.
If you're unable to contribute to the 2025 Kansas City backfield, there is a great chance you don't belong on an NFL roster. This is especially true for a practice squad piece whose great story appears to be coming to a predictably sad end.