The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed linebacker Jack Cochrane on Friday, bringing back a player with over 1,200 special teams snaps in a career played exclusively in the Kingdom since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
With the move, history seems to be repeating itself. Despite fans not wanting Cochrane back, Dave Toub lobbied Andy Reid, Brett Veach, and Co. to re-sign him. It may turn out like another similar case for an undrafted player who stuck on in special teams because Toub liked him.
Nikko Remigio, a return man who's entering his fourth season in K.C., has gotten unwavering belief from Toub since 2023. In 2025, right before the regular season began, the team traded Skyy Moore, who was a superior option in the return game, to free up opportunities for Remigio. It led to instant regrets.
On the San Francisco 49ers, Moore had 28.3 yards per kick return and 10.3 yards per punt return. The per-kick return numbers ranked No. 2 in the NFL. Remigio was at 25.55 yards per kick return and 7.64 yards per punt return. Toub admitted he had the Chiefs slotted as the No. 22 special teams unit last November, by the team's own rankings.
“In our ranking system that we use, they’re 2,” Toub said of the Indianapolis Colts ahead of a November 23 clash. “We’re not too good after last week. ... We’re like 22. You got 22 versus 2, that gets your guys’ attention.”
It's easy to have doubts in another player he vouched for with similar underwhelming results.
Jack Cochrane Has a Holding Problem in Special Teams
A portion of the fanbase maligns Cochrane for a penchant for holding penalties on special teams that cut off momentum far too often last season. Cochrane had three offensive holding penalties accounting for 30 yards last season. That's far too many for a player with limited opportunities.
It's hard to call Cochrane a depth signing for the LB room, knowing how important he is to Toub. After being on the field for 342 special teams snaps in 2025, good for over 80 percent of the time, he'll likely be back for as many snaps as possible yet again.
Like Remigio, who's already been brought back, Cochrane has the right guy's vote of confidence, even if he lacks the fanbase's, which helps ensure he can get a paycheck.
Obviously, the ire goes to the guy making these calls on the players, not the players themselves. Players have a finite shelf-life. These coaches can, and will, make personnel mistakes for decades.