Per Monday’s NFL transactions report, the Kansas City Chiefs waived wide receiver Jason Brownlee on Monday.
Brownlee, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2023, signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad in January. He impressed in this year’s training camp and caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the preseason opener. With a suspension for Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice looming, Brownlee made the team’s initial roster.
Brownlee was active for five of the Chiefs’ first six games. He did not record a reception, but he did exceed 20% of the team’s special teams snaps three times.
A move in the Chiefs’ wide receiver room was widely expected this week because Rice is eligible to rejoin the team after serving his six-game suspension. While Rice did come off his suspension Monday, the Chiefs technically did not need to make a roster move yet.
Per friend of the site Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest, the Chiefs have received a one-week roster exemption for Rice. Assuming the team plans for him to make his return Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs technically did not need to make a roster move until Saturday.
Presumably, the Chiefs are showing respect for Brownlee by waiving him early in the week to allow him to be claimed by an interested team. Should he go unclaimed on waivers, Kansas City can add him to the team’s practice squad before the practice week to prepare for the Raiders begins on Wednesday.
