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2 Kansas City Chiefs longshots see opposite fates as roster move befalls one and another gains buzz at mandatory minicamp
The Kansas City Chiefs waived S Marlen Sewell on Tuesday to make room for CB L’Jarius Sneed. However, another one of the team’s three tryout players signed after rookie minicamp saw an update that puts him on a rare and tough track.
A pair of Kansas City Chiefs longshots found themselves on diverging paths as the team kicked off mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 9.
The team hosted 76 tryout players at rookie minicamp back in early May. They signed three of them: Missouri WR Xavier Loyd, Indiana OT Kahlil Benson, and Vanderbilt S Marlen Sewell. Making the 90-man roster is half the battle for tryout players like Loyd, Benson, and Sewell. From there, it’s a steep climb. You’ve got to scratch and claw your way to a chance at a 53-man roster spot, facing long odds.
On Tuesday, that journey came to an end for one of those longshots, while another one of them saw renewed hope.
Did you know: LB Cooper McDonald made the Chiefs’ 53-man roster as a tryout player in 2025.
An undrafted free agent out of TCU, McDonald made the 90-man roster after a rookie minicamp tryout. The 6-foot-3 and 240-pound linebacker would go on to make the 53-man roster right out of the gate in September. He mostly played special teams, but did manage one start on defense late in the season.
- 17 games played
- 1 game started
- 25 total tackles
- One tackle for loss
Chiefs cut Marlen to make room for L’Jarius Sneed on 90-man roster
According to the NFL’s daily personnel notice for Tuesday, the Chiefs waived UDFA DB Marlen Sewell to make room on the 90-man offseason roster for the reunion with L’Jarius Sneed. The move keeps Kansas City at 19 defensive backs (12 cornerbacks and 7 safeties).
A team captain for Vandy, Sewell appeared in 45 career games in college. He recorded 101 total tackles, three passes defended, a half-sack, and one forced fumble, primarily making his mark on special teams.
The Chiefs won’t hesitate to cut UDFA developmental talent if there’s a move out there that makes their roster better. Sewell won’t be the first or last player to get called in and informed of his release.
Chiefs UDFA OT Kahlil Benson shouted out as a name to watch in the right tackle battle
While Sewell saw his NFL dream in Kansas City come crashing down on Tuesday, former Indiana OT Kahlil Benson found himself on the opposite end of the spectrum. The Athletic’s Jesse Newell shared a post-practice update, putting him squarely in the race at right tackle.
“Another name to watch in RT battle during training camp: Indiana UDFA Kahlil Benson,” Newell wrote.
Newell clarified in the comments of his post that it’s too early to tell if he’s competing in the battle for the starting job or if he’s competing for a roster spot. But this type of comment is always an attention-getter: “Seems like he’s made an early impression with coaches.”
Remember, Benson was part of this year’s National Championship-winning Hoosiers team. He operated as the blindside protector of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. That has to count for something, and it might already give him an early leg up with the Chiefs.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: 2 Kansas City Chiefs longshots see opposite fates as roster move befalls one and another gains buzz at mandatory minicamp
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