Earlier this week, the Kansas City Chiefs were hard at work adjusting their 90-man preseason roster following last weekend's rookie minicamp. Kansas City signed three minicamp standouts: safety Major Williams, wide receiver Jimmy Holiday, and linebacker Cooper McDonald. With each new addition, the Chiefs had to make a corresponding release.
One of the players they released was fellow undrafted safety Will Brooks. Brooks began his college career as a walk-on special teamer at the University of Tennessee in 2020 and worked his way up to becoming a starting defensive back for the Volunteers in 2024. His standout play in 2024 and work ethic were likely reasons the Chiefs gave him a tryout.
Unfortunately for Brooks, Williams was more impressive during Kansas City's minicamp. That said, Brooks' hopes of making a preseason roster aren't dead yet. According to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers extended an invitation to Brooks for a tryout during their rookie minicamp this weekend.
Former Chiefs UDFA Will Brooks Invited to Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie Minicamp
Though Brooks failed to stand out at Chiefs minicamp, he must perform well at Buccaneers minicamp if he wants to make the preseason roster. Brooks will have to compete with Shilo Sanders and JJ Roberts during minicamp.
Beyond that, Tampa Bay has a crowded safety room consisting of Antoine Winfield Jr., Christian Izien, Kaevon Merriweather, and Marcus Banks at free safety. As well as Rashad Wisdom at strong safety. Brooks' best chance at making it out of minicamp and on to the Buccaneers' preseason roster is to show he can be versatile and play both safety roles.
Although Brooks never suited up for Kansas City, Chiefs fans and the NFL world at large are rooting for him to make a roster, given his story of going from college walk-on to NFL player is inspiring.