Chiefs Re-Sign Wide Receiver Montrell Washington After Week 18 Linebacker Shuffle

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed wide receiver Montrell Washington to their practice squad this week, making the popular speedster eligible to compete in the playoffs if needed. The team released linebacker Blake Lynch, completing a strange sequence of roster moves necessitated by a quirk in the NFL practice squad rules.

With the first seed already secured heading into the final week of the regular season, the Chiefs’ plan to rest their starters hit a few snags at the linebacker position. Backup Jack Cochrane was injured and two practice squad linebackers, Swayze Bozeman and Cam Jones, had already exhausted their potential roster elevations. The NFL rules state that a player can only be elevated from the practice squad three times in the regular season.

With all three reserve options unavailable, the Chiefs had to sign Lynch to fill in. Lynch performed well in the team’s blowout loss to the Broncos, receiving key playing time on both defense and special teams. His strong showing could result in a future contract and a spot next season, but with Bozeman and Jones both available again in the postseason, he is no longer needed.

Washington, on the other hand, could prove to be a very valuable reserve option in the Chiefs’ fast-paced offense. Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown form a crowded receiver room already, but Washington could fill in for any of these talented route runners if needed. He is also reportedly a positive locker room presence, which could make his return meaningful for morale and camaraderie off the field. 

Minor depth adjustments could play a part in a handful of meaningful moments during a postseason run, but much of the work for the Chiefs has already been done as they pursue a third straight Super Bowl. 

The roster has flourished into that of a nearly invulnerable powerhouse on both sides of the ball, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains the team’s difference maker. At age 29, the three-time champ is already one of the most bankable passers in playoff history, and his performance in big moments will ultimately make the difference in prolonging this dynastic run — or cutting it short.