We're just a handful of days away from the roster cutdown day coming up on Aug. 26, giving the Kansas City Chiefs limited time to determine who will ultimately make the final 53-man group.
After trading away wide receiver Skyy Moore, the Chiefs are already starting to make moves that will trim down the roster. Moving on from poor draft picks is always difficult to do, but Kansas City is proving that the front office isn't afraid to admit a sunk cost.
That could happen once again within the next few days, and one recent late-round pick is on the chopping block when evaluating the landscape.
If Marlon didn’t play out of his mind, we 100% miss the playoffs. He had more impact than Kyle Hamilton last year and that’s saying a lot. The Defense was trying to give up games Marlon had other plans. pic.twitter.com/o8CX6KpXDd
— DeeJay 🇳🇬 (@EdOverRay) July 8, 2025
Chiefs Will Give Up on DT Marlon Tuipulotu Before Week 1
Defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu, who came to the organization in 2024 before missing the season with an injury, is an obvious cut candidate entering the last preseason game. Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Tuipulotu is a good, not great player who could use a fresh change of scenery based on the limited playing time that's likely available to him.
Tuipulotu only managed to suit up for two games before going down, and while he played 41% of the snaps, Kansas City has invested more resources into the position going into 2025. On top of Chris Jones, Jerry Tillery, and Mike Pennel, rookie Omar Norman-Lott figures to immediately make an impact and take snaps.
If those guys are all roster locks, Tuipulotu will be battling with Fabien Lovett Sr. for a spot. Even then, it's possible that neither one of them is on the team, given the lack of need for interior defenders. It'd be a failed signing overall but a worthy dart throw nonetheless, as Tuipulotu did show some promising potential as an interior run-stuffer with some pass-rushing chops as well.
This is the nature of having so many exciting players. At some point, you have to let some go, and the Chiefs feel likely to move on from Tuipulotu.
If not, he'll have clearly shown something in practice and has untapped potential. He's only 26 years old, suggesting more time with the coaching staff could help him become a reliable rotational player. Here's hoping for the best for Tuipulotu, but it appears that his days with the franchise are nearing an end.