The Kansas City Chiefs announced several roster moves designed to shore up both lines, according to a pair of reports from Pro Football Talk, with one announcing the signing of offensive lineman Kellen Diesch and the other announcing the waiving of defensive end Anthony Dunn as Kansas City signed linebacker Cam Jones to take his spot on the roster.
The signing of Jones is probably the more significant move, as reported by Myles Simmons, as Jones was a key contributor on special teams and he represents yet another attempt by the Chiefs to bring back the band going into this season.
Jones is 26, and he signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He appeared in all 17 games for Kansas City in 2023 and 2024, playing approximatelay two-thirds of the club’s special teams snaps, per Simmons.
He was let go and signed by the New York Jets, and Jones appeared in ten games before he was waived in December. He then signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants in March, but they waived him in late July.
Anyone who watched the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams has a pretty good inkling of why this signing happened, as the Chiefs were gashed on multiple returns during the game. The Chiefs struggled on special teams last season compared to their usual high level of play, so getting back a young player they know and like to bolster the troops is a solid move.
Waiving Dunn is a corresponding move designed to open up the necessary roster spot.
The move to sign Diesch is a little different. The Chiefs worked him out earlier in this week and liked what they saw, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, and the Chiefs are adding Diesch to their 90-man roster and waiving fellow offensive lineman Matt Waletzdo to make room on the roster.
This move follows reports this week that the Chiefs have depth concerns on the offensive line, with Jesse Newell of The Athletic in particular offering some sharp concerns about this issue.
The Chiefs have had a tough competition at right tackle between veteran Jaylon Moore and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson, but both lineman were kicked inside at times during practices this week to get snaps at guard.
It’s an indictment of Kansas City’s backups on the interior line, and it’s fair to assume Diesch will get some time with the reserves on Saturday when the Chiefs play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their second preseason game.
