The Kansas City Chiefs have questions at the defensive tackle position ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Though rookie Omar Norman-Lott is expected to start opposite Chris Jones, their defensive tackle depth is still questionable. This is why Kansas City traded with the New York Jets to reacquire DT Derrick Nnadi on Sunday.
As a result of this trade, there was bound to be on depth defensive tackle the Chiefs would let go. On Tuesday, the team announced they will be releasing veteran Marlon Tuipulotu, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The #Chiefs are releasing veteran DT Marlon Tuipulotu, source said, who was made expendable after KC added a DT in a trade. No waivers, as he can be signed at any time.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2025
Though the Chiefs released Tuipulotu, it doesn't mean his time in Kansas City is over.
Chiefs Release DT Marlon Tuipulotu
After being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, Tuipulotu joined the Chiefs during the 2024 season. The 28-year-old didn't really make an impact as a depth piece in 2024. He recorded four tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry, and one quarterback pressure in two games.
Moreover, he earned a pass rush grade of 58.2, a run defense grade of 47.0, and an overall grade of 47.9, according to Pro Football Focus. So, it's no surprise he was still available a week into free agency, which is when the Chiefs re-signed him. Be that as it may, Kansas City decided to move; they didn't need Tuipulotu after getting Nnadi back.
Nevertheless, just because Tuipulotu didn't make the initial 53-man roster, it doesn't mean his time with the Chiefs is over. Kansas City could still re-sign the 28-year-old to the practice squad. Given his struggles, it seems unlikely that another team would add him to its active roster.
Although this may not be the outcome the Chiefs Kingdom wants, it's the most logical solution. The Chiefs need all the help they can't get in their defensive tackle room, and having a player on hand who understands the defense is helpful. While Chiefs fans would like to see the team add a DT from other teams' roster cuts, it's unlikely to happen given the scarcity at the position and how low Kansas City is on the waiver claim.