Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to waive wide receiver Hal Presley ahead of Week 14’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals marks the latest in a series of midseason roster adjustments aimed at refining depth and aligning the team’s personnel with Andy Reid’s offensive scheme. Presley, an undrafted rookie out of Mississippi State, joined the Chiefs’ practice squad in training camp and was promoted to the active roster in Week 8, but he failed to carve out a consistent role—appearing in just three games and recording no catches. The move, announced by the Chiefs’ front office on November 26, comes as the team looks to prioritize special teams contributors and address gaps in other positional groups, particularly along the defensive line and at tight end. For the Chiefs, waiving Presley isn’t a reflection of his talent but rather a strategic choice to maximize roster flexibility as they gear up for a playoff push. Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs thus breaks down the context behind the move, its impact on the Chiefs’ roster, and what it signals about the team’s priorities in the final stretch of the season.

To understand why the Chiefs waived Presley, it’s critical to examine his fit within Reid’s offense and the team’s existing depth at wide receiver. The Chiefs’ wide receiver room is headlined by established playmakers like Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling—all of whom have cemented roles in the passing game and on special teams. Behind them, the Chiefs have prioritized players with dual-purpose value, such as rookie Justyn Ross (who contributes on kick returns) and veteran Richie James (a reliable slot receiver and punt returner). Presley, by contrast, was primarily a depth option without a clear special teams role—he didn’t see any snaps on kick or punt units in his three active games. Reid’s offense also values versatility, and Presley’s limited experience in route-running variations (he primarily lined up outside in college) made it hard for him to compete for reps. “We have a lot of talent at wide receiver, and everyone needs to bring something extra—whether that’s special teams, blocking, or flexibility in routes,” said a Chiefs coaching staff source. “Hal worked hard, but we just couldn’t find a spot for him in our game plan consistently.” Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs thus frames Presley’s lack of a defined role as the primary driver behind the waiver.

The timing of Presley’s waiver also ties to the Kansas City Chiefs’ need to address more pressing roster needs—specifically, depth along the defensive line and at tight end. After defensive tackle Chris Jones missed Week 13’s practice with elbow soreness, the Chiefs realized they needed an extra rotational lineman to avoid overworking Jones and backup Derrick Nnadi. Additionally, with Travis Kelce nursing a mild ankle sprain, the Chiefs wanted to add a third tight end to the practice squad to support Noah Gray and Blake Bell. By waiving Presley, the Chiefs freed up a spot on the active roster to sign defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth (a veteran with 64 career games played) and a practice squad spot to bring in tight end Austin Fort. “Roster management is about priorities,” said general manager Brett Veach in a press release. “As we head into the final month of the regular season, we need to ensure we have depth in the areas that will most impact our success. Waiving Hal allows us to address those needs.” The move also reflects the Chiefs’ philosophy of valuing proven veterans over unproven rookies in key depth roles—Stallworth has experience in Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme, having played for the New Orleans Saints from 2018 to 2020, while Fort spent time with the Chiefs in 2019 and 2020, making him familiar with Reid’s offense. Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs thus highlights how the move supports the team’s short-term competitive goals.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to waive Presley also underscores the challenges faced by undrafted rookies in the NFL—especially on teams with championship aspirations. While Presley showed promise in training camp (he caught 11 passes for 135 yards in preseason games), he struggled to translate that success to regular-season action. Undrafted players often need to excel on special teams to earn consistent snaps, but Presley’s limited experience in that area (he didn’t return kicks or punts in college) put him at a disadvantage. The Chiefs also have a history of developing undrafted talent—players like wide receiver Tyreek Hill (initially undrafted) and defensive end Frank Clark (undrafted out of Michigan State) have found success in Kansas City—but those players brought unique skills that filled immediate needs. For Presley, the waiver doesn’t necessarily mark the end of his NFL career; the Chiefs could re-sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers, giving him a chance to develop further. “We still think Hal has potential,” Veach added. “But right now, we need players who can contribute right away. If he clears waivers, we’d be open to bringing him back in a practice squad role.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ approach to Presley balances the team’s immediate needs with a long-term view of player development—an approach that has helped them sustain success over the past decade. Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs thus explores the broader context of undrafted rookies in the NFL and the Chiefs’ role in their development.

Another factor in the Chiefs’ decision to waive Presley is the team’s focus on special teams excellence—a cornerstone of Reid’s winning formula. The Chiefs rank 5th in the NFL in special teams DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) this season, thanks to standout performances from kicker Harrison Butker (92% field goal accuracy) and punt returner Richie James (11.2 yards per return). To maintain that success, the Chiefs prioritize players who can contribute on multiple special teams units—something Presley wasn’t able to do. For example, the Chiefs’ other backup wide receivers (James, Ross) all play at least two special teams roles: James returns punts and covers kicks, while Ross handles kickoff returns and plays on the punt coverage unit. Presley, by contrast, didn’t see any special teams snaps in his three active games, making him a luxury the Chiefs couldn’t afford. “Special teams wins games in the NFL, especially in the playoffs,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “Every player on our roster needs to contribute in that phase, whether they’re a starter or a backup. We can’t carry players who don’t add value there.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ focus on special teams isn’t just about winning regular-season games—it’s about building a roster that can handle the pressure of playoff football, where a single special teams play can change the outcome. Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs thus emphasizes how special teams value influenced the decision to waive Presley.

Looking ahead, the Chiefs’ waiver of Presley is likely a precursor to more roster tweaks as they prepare for the playoffs. With the AFC West title still up for grabs (the Chiefs lead the Denver Broncos by two games) and a potential Super Bowl run on the horizon, Veach and Reid will continue to refine the roster to address emerging needs. For Presley, the next step will be waiting to see if he clears waivers—if he does, the Chiefs could bring him back to the practice squad to continue his development, as they’ve done with other undrafted rookies in the past. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the move is a reminder that roster management is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. “In this league, you have to be willing to make tough decisions to put the team in the best position to win,” Reid said in a press conference. “Waiving Hal was one of those decisions. He’s a hard worker, and we wish him well—but right now, this move helps us address our most pressing needs.” As the Chiefs head into the final month of the season, moves like this will be critical to their success—ensuring they have the right players in the right roles to compete for another Super Bowl title. Hal Presley Waived Amid Changes for the Kansas City Chiefs thus concludes by highlighting how the move fits into the Chiefs’ broader strategy of building a championship-caliber roster.