The Kansas City Chiefs filled many gaps in their team in the 2024 NFL draft and then signed a bunch of undrafted free agents. While evaluating their new players, the Chiefs seemed to change their mind about linebacker Cole Christensen.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on Friday, May 3 that Kansas City withdrew their tender offer for Christensen, which was surprising because the Chiefs announced offered Christensen a guaranteed spot less than a month ago.
Christensen, a former Army student, started his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers and joined the Chiefs’ practice squad in 2022. He played in one game that season, making his first NFL tackle against the Buffalo Bills.
During the 2023 season, he was promoted to the active roster five times. However, after rookie Cam Jones got injured and was put on reserve in January, Christensen was added to the active roster on January 17.
He played in three playoff games, mostly on special teams, and made 2 total tackles. Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. commented after Christensen received his offer, “With training camps coming up soon, he will have an opportunity to improve his standing ahead of the 2024 season.”
The 26-year-old is leaving Kansas City with two Super Bowl rings. The Chiefs also “released Anthony Miller, Shi Smith and Jordan Smith,” Wilson posted.
Chiefs News: NFL Analyst Projected Cole Christensen Being a ‘Capable’ Contributor on Special Teams
While evaluating the updated team, The Athletic’s Nate Taylor predicted that Christensen will stay in Kansas City. With Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill as starters, Taylor mentioned Christensen as a backup along with Leon Chenal, Jack Cochrane, and Jones.
While Willie Gay Jr. left in free agency, the Chiefs seemed prepared to continue with the same linebacker group in 2023. “Bolton is in the final year of his initial contract, so the Chiefs could extend his contract before the season,” Taylor wrote on May 3. “Tranquill was possibly the Chiefs’ best rotational player last season, so he has earned a starting role for this season.
“Chenal had one of the most underrated performances in Super Bowl LVIII — six tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one quarterback hit. Cochrane, Jones and Christensen are all capable players on special teams.”
The Chiefs Signed UDFA Curtis Jacobs, Who’s Predicted to Make the Final Roster
While the Chiefs didn’t draft any linebackers, they signed Curtis Jacobs, an undrafted free agent from Penn State. Last season, Jacobs made 49 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler listed Jacobs as the 10th-best linebacker prospect in his draft preview. The 6-foot-1, 229-pounder earned a fifth-round grade, so the Chiefs seemed to have acquired Jacobs as a great deal.
“An athletic ‘backer, Jacobs remains agile in pursuit with the quick burst to make stops in the gap and enough range to challenge ball carriers outside the numbers,” Brugler wrote of the former five-star recruit. “However, he can be easily overwhelmed or get caught up in traffic and his coverage instincts are inconsistent.
“In general, Jacobs' lack of physical strength is a worry for the next level, but he has value as a player in specific situations and will have an immediate role on special-teams coverages. He is expected to be a backup and is similar to Buffalo Bills’ Terrel Bernard but of lower quality.”
AtoZ Sports’ Charles Goldman predicts Jacobs will secure a place on the 53-man roster. “Where Jacobs really has the potential to demonstrate his speed and power is on special teams with the new kickoff rules,” Goldman wrote.
“It’s difficult to get a spot on the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent, but I believe he has a great chance to make it in Kansas City just for that value alone.”
