Chiefs Make First WR Cut Ahead of Tuesday's Roster Deadline

The Chiefs officially made their first roster move ahead of Tuesday's roster cutdown deadline, agreeing to an injury settlement to remove undrafted WR Jaaron Hayek from the Injured Reserve list.

Hayek was released despite a strong training camp, the first of many moves to come in the following days as Kansas City reduces its 90-man roster to 53 players.

While never considered to be a real threat to break the team, Hayek is an exciting player who should join someone's practice squad given his impressive performance this summer.

Chiefs News: KC Releases Undrafted WR Jaaron Hayek

After starring at Villanova, where he compiled 2,744 career receiving yards and 29 TDs, Hayek was signed by the Chiefs shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft.

He's proven to be an impressive threat in the red zone, notching nine TDs on 40 catches in 2021 while hauling in at least eight TDs in three separate seasons. Kansas City's depth made his presence unnecessary once coupled with the injury, though Hayek is a player who could contribute at the professional level within a few years.

The Chiefs waived Hayek on Wednesday. Once he cleared waivers, the organization had an opportunity to either use an Injured Reserve list spot or agree to an injury settlement.

Kansas City chose the latter, an understandable decision given the ongoing battle between Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Nikko Remigio, and Justyn Ross at the end of the depth chart. Nonetheless, Hayek did well enough this summer to earn another chance, whether it's with the Chiefs or another team.

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