From NFL Dream to Family Tragedy: Chiefs Rookie’s Joy Crushed by Minnesota Shooting

The Kansas City Chiefs have entered roster cut season with a surprising move. Ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man deadline, the team confirmed the release of one of its recent draft selections, marking an early shakeup on the offensive line. Cutdown day always forces difficult decisions. Coaches weigh experience against potential, balancing immediate needs with long-term development. In Kansas City’s case, the pressure is heightened by a winless preseason and the pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl title. The offensive line, once considered a position of strength, became a focal point of evaluation. With established veterans holding firm and promising rookies impressing in camp, one developmental player found himself slipping down the depth chart quickly. That player is C.J. Hanson, the Chiefs’ seventh-round pick in 2025. Selected 248th overall out of Holy Cross, Hanson entered camp with intriguing athleticism but struggled to stand out in a crowded and competitive offensive line group. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Hanson posted an elite 9.84 Relative Athletic Score during the draft process, ranking among the best-tested linemen of his era. In college, he started 38 straight games, earning All-American recognition and dominating pass protection. Despite the pedigree, the transition to NFL speed proved difficult. During preseason action, Hanson logged limited snaps and failed to make a notable impact. Depth players like Mike Caliendo, Wanya Morris, and Esa Pole outperformed him consistently in practice and games. Analysts had foreshadowed the decision. Some viewed Hanson as a long-term project best suited for the practice squad. But with Kansas City prioritizing proven contributors to protect Patrick Mahomes, developmental prospects became a luxury the roster could not afford. Hanson now enters waivers, where his athletic profile could entice another team to take a chance. If unclaimed, a return to Kansas City’s practice squad remains possible, but for now, his release underscores the harsh realities of cutdown week.