Kansas City made several roster adjustments Monday, releasing quarterback Jake Haener along with two defensive players.
The Chiefs also let go of defensive end Ethan Hurkett and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens while bringing in three new free agents: wide receiver Xavier Loyd, defensive back Marlen Sewell, and offensive tackle Kahlil Benson.
The 27-year-old Haener had been Kansas City’s most significant free-agent acquisition of the offseason when they signed him February 2nd. The team brought him in to provide quarterback depth as two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes recovers from ACL surgery. However, Kansas City later added veteran quarterback Justin Fields in March to serve as Mahomes’ primary backup.
New Orleans selected Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. During the 2024 season with the Saints, he saw action in eight contests with one starting assignment, throwing for 226 yards on 18 completions out of 39 attempts, recording one touchdown pass and one interception. The Saints cut him loose in January.
The Chiefs selected LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier in last month’s seventh round and also have Chris Oladokun on their quarterback roster. When Mahomes went down with injury last season, Oladokun stepped in and threw for 235 yards while completing 35 of 55 pass attempts across three appearances, including two starts, with one touchdown and zero interceptions.
