The Kansas City Chiefs part ways with Jake Haener following a crowded draft class, while local standout Xavier Loyd joins the receiving corps.
The Kansas City Chiefs roster looks much different than it did at the end of the 2025 NFL season, especially on the defense.
The offense has also seen plenty of changes. Isiah Pacheco signed with the Detroit Lions and Hollywood Brown went to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew signed a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, and Arizona also selected Miami QB Carson Beck in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs acquired Justin Fields in a trade with the New York Jets and then selected LSU Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, so there was going to be a move in the QB room at some point.
On Monday, the Chiefs made a few roster moves, one of them being quarterback Jake Haener being released, along with defensive end Ethan Hurkett and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens.
The Chiefs also signed a few players: Wide receiver Xavier Loyd, defensive back Marlen Sewell and tackle Kahlil Benson.
Jake Haener began his college career at Washington before becoming a star for the Fresno State Bulldogs in his final three seasons.
Haener then was selected in the fourth round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he played in a total of eight games, all coming in the 2024 season.
Haener then signed with the Chiefs this offseason, so it was a quick exit, and likely due to Nussmeier still being available in Round 7 of the draft.
Chris Oladokun is the other QB on the Chiefs roster, and he started once Patrick Mahomes and Minshew went down with injuries at the end of the 2025 season.
Xavier Loyd played college football at Kansas State, Illinois State and Missouri, with his best season coming in 2024 with Illinois State. He caught 66 passes for 912 yards and six scores before transferring to Missouri for the 2025 campaign.
Loyd went undrafted but was invited to rookie minicamp, and now he earns a deal after performing well during the camp.
Loyd is also from Blue Springs, Missouri, so the hometown kid gets a chance to crack the Chiefs roster, or at least earn a practice squad spot after impressive at rookie camp.
The Chiefs QB room appears to be set, and it wouldn't be surprising to see one of Oladokun or Nussmeier begin the year on the practice squad, as long as Mahomes comes back ready for Week 1.