The Kansas City Chiefs are going to have a tough decision to make in their tight end room next Tuesday. Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Robert Tonyan have all earned spots on the 53-man roster. Even so, Kansas City believes that both Jared Wiley and Jake Briningstool have the talent to add value to the team in the future.
However, most teams only keep three tight ends, but exposing both players to free agency could mean neither ends up on the Chiefs' practice squad. If that happens, Kansas City would be losing out on two players who could potentially help when Kelce retires.
That said, one former Chiefs tight end has been cut prior to his current team's final preseason game. According to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive, the Pittsburgh Steelers have cut 11 players, including tight end Kevin Foelsch.
The Steelers announce they have cut 11 players:
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 22, 2025
RB Evan Hull
OLB Kenny Willekes
CBs Kyler McMichael, Kam Alexander, and Mikey Victor
S Quindell Johnson
LS Jake McQuaide
QB Logan Woodside
TE Kevin Foelsch
OT Julian Pearl
G Doug Nester
Steelers Cut Former Chiefs TE Kevin Foelsch
It's understandable for members of Chiefs Kingdom to not know the name Kevin Foelsch. The 24-year-old signed a one-year contract on June 11, 2025. Then, eight days later, on June 19, he was cut.
After going undrafted in 2024, Foelsch landed on the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles practice squads before signing with the Chiefs. The 24-year-old attended New Haven College. In four seasons at New Haven, he recorded 660 yards on 73 receptions and scored 16 touchdowns.
Though not a prolific pass-catcher, Foelsch clearly showed some ability, or Kansas City wouldn't have brought him in even if it was just for a week. After being let go by the Chiefs, he signed with the Steelers.
Be that as it may, his chances of making Pittsburgh's roster were pretty much nonexistent from the start. The Steelers' tight end room consists of Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Conor Heyward. Smith was just acquired in a trade this offseason, and Washington is a good blocking tight end, so neither of them was going anywhere.
Leaving Heyward as the player Foelsch had to beat out for a roster spot. Given Heyward's older brother Cameron has been with Pittsburgh for 14 years, that was already a tough hill to climb.
Seeing as Foelsch has already been with five NFL franchises in less than two years, his NFL career may not last much longer. Nevertheless, Chiefs fans hope he can catch on somewhere because it's never fun to watch a player give up on their dream.