Chiefs’ latest roster tweaks offer clues about camp competitions ahead

The Kansas City Chiefs made a couple of roster cuts late this week in an effort to free up space to make some new signings. And while the incoming and outgoing players are of interest to analyze and discuss, it's interesting to look at the positions involved to understand the bigger picture.

To summarize the transactions, the Chiefs released tight end Kevin Foelsch and offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum on Friday, which allowed general manager Brett Veach to add one new face in offensive lineman Joe Lombard.

Lombard is a former star at the FCS level, an All-American at South Dakota and a player with 48 games of experience along the interior, primarily at center.

The Chiefs' latest roster moves say something about the training camp roster readiness at two positions.

As for those on their way out, Foelsch was signed on June 12, which meant the Chiefs only planned to keep him around for mandatory minicamp. At tight end, the Chiefs have been fighting some injury concerns with the ongoing recovery of Jared Wiley from a season-ending injury suffered during his rookie season. Rookie free agent Tre Watson has also been limited with an injury.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had a positive update on Wiley during minicamp, saying things would ultimately be "fine" there. Given the month off before training camp, it makes sense for the Chiefs to open up a roster spot to give them some flexibility to address other concerns or more enticing prospects.

As for Anchrum, the Chiefs are clearly churning through fringe roster candidates as they keep the proverbial Rolodex updated for emergency options on the interior line. The sifting is interesting because the team should have no shortage of young options to make up the depth chart. Does this mean something unexpected could be happening?

Remember the Chiefs drafted Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. They've also got Mike Caliendo and Kingsley Suamataia competing for left guard with Trey Smith entrenched at right guard. Dalton Cooper is also a new undrafted free agent signing trying to make waves at training camp.

The signing of Anchrum in the first place sent a signal that perhaps the team wanted more proven experience on the roster given the lack of playing time for most other candidates. However, Lombard undoes that narrative.

At tight end, the Chiefs like what they have and feel like they're healthy going into training camp. However, the signing of Lombard and release of Anchrum has us wondering if there's still some apprehension about the cadre of talent competing for those final interior OL spots. Training camp is coming into view, so Chiefs Kingdom will know soon enough.