Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce lose two teammates as Kansas City Chiefs cut down roster

Kansas City, Su – May 4, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs have trimmed their roster, parting ways with safety Deon Bush and cornerback Steven Thompson to make room for undrafted free agents, sources told ESPN. The moves hit hard as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce bid farewell to two teammates, reshaping the defending AFC champions’ depth chart.

Bush, a 2016 fourth-round pick, appeared in just one game for the Chiefs in 2024, logging 25 defensive snaps. His career spans 29 games across the Bears, Vikings, and Chargers, but his limited role in Kansas City—where he was buried behind Justin Reid and Trent McDuffie—made him expendable. Thompson, a 2023 fifth-round pick, faced a tougher journey, suffering a seizure and cardiac arrest during training camp last year, landing him on the non-football illness list for the season.

The cuts pave the way for 16 undrafted free agents to join the Chiefs’ 90-man roster, a strategic move by GM Brett Veach to inject youth after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss. With stars like Chris Jones and Trey Smith secured, Veach aims to bolster depth, especially in the secondary, where injuries exposed vulnerabilities in 2024.

Bush’s departure thins the safety rotation, putting pressure on Chamarri Conner to step up alongside Reid. Thompson’s exit, though expected, stings emotionally—his lone 2023 game saw him record two tackles in 28 snaps, a glimpse of potential cut short by health issues. Fans on X shared mixed sentiments, one noting, “Thompson deserved a real shot.”

The Chiefs’ secondary, ranked 14th in pass defense (208 yards per game allowed in 2024), faces scrutiny. McDuffie’s versatility offers hope, but losing Bush’s veteran presence could hurt in clutch moments. Mahomes and Kelce, vocal leaders, must rally the revamped unit as they eye another title run.

Veach’s roster shakeup isn’t new—last year’s cuts of Donovan Smith and Kadarius Toney proved strategic. Yet, the timing, just months after a Super Bowl defeat, raises questions about depth versus development. The undrafted free agents, including prospects like Dalton Schultz at mini-camp, must prove their worth.

The moves ripple through the AFC. Rivals like the Bills, with Josh Allen leading a high-octane offense, could exploit any Chiefs’ defensive lapses. Mahomes’ passing attack (240 yards per game) needs a fortified secondary to match its firepower.

Chiefs Kingdom, change is here. As Mahomes and Kelce chase redemption, Bush and Thompson’s departures mark a new chapter. Will the rookies rise, or will the cuts haunt Kansas City’s 2025 dreams?