Late-round NFL draft picks are like lottery tickets: cheap, long odds, but now and then you scratch off a winner. But the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office operates better than most, and they know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. Sometimes, the toughest decisions aren't about talent but about a bigger picture. It’s a cold, hard reality of the NFL grind, where the next game waits for no one.
That calculation led to a difficult move on Friday. The Chiefs officially released defensive end B.J. Thompson with a non-injury settlement, according to A to Z Sports' Charles Goldeman, closing a challenging chapter for the young player. Thompson looked like one of those sleepers: 6'5", 34-inch arms, and a wingspan built to swat passes and dreams alike.
Chiefs Release DE B.J. Thompson with Non-Injury Settlement
He even blocked three kicks back at Baylor, the kind of hustle that makes special-teams coaches day-drink sweet tea and smile. Then, June 6, 2024, happened.
The incident was terrifying. Thompson suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest during a team meeting. Quick action from the medical staff, alerted by Harrison Butker, saved his life. He spent the entire 2024 season on the non-football illness list, a Super Bowl champion away from the field.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid always spoke supportively of Thompson’s progress. Back in May, Reid stated, “He is making progress, but just not quite, not quite there yet, but he’s made great, great strides. And so in this day and age of the way football is, we had to do something there.” But the team’s patience finally reached its inevitable conclusion.
This move underscores the brutal business side of professional sports. Thompson, a 2023 fifth-round pick, showed flashes of raw athleticism but managed only two tackles in a single career game. His potential remained unfulfilled, a "what if" story cut short by circumstance.
Chiefs Reshuffle Roster Before a Big Test vs. Eagles
Releasing Thompson now is a procedural step. It provides finality and allows the Chiefs to potentially explore other options for their defensive front. His roster spot is a valuable commodity, especially with a major opponent coming to town.
That opponent is the Philadelphia Eagles, a Super Bowl 59 rematch dripping with narrative. The Chiefs are already grappling with a banged-up wide receiver corps, making every roster decision critical. This game is an early-season test the team can't afford to fail. Especially as they're likely to miss key players against the Eagles.
Thompson’s departure is more than a simple transaction. It represents a human element often lost in the stats and wins. The Chiefs supported him through his recovery, honoring his contract. It was a show of class for a player who faced a battle far bigger than football.
In the end, Kansas City did the humane thing: kept the kid employed without sabotaging their own Super Bowl window. “You never know how strong you are,” Bob Marley once wrote, “until being strong is your only choice.” Thompson’s still choosing; the Chiefs just chose to move ahead.