Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to fortify their roster for the final stretch of the 2024 NFL season and a potential deep playoff run, the team has made a strategic addition to its practice squad: safety Trey Dean III has been signed, the Chiefs announced on Monday. The move comes as Kansas City looks to bolster depth in its secondary, where recent injuries to backup safeties (including a hamstring strain to Mike Edwards) have left the team with limited options behind starters Justin Reid and Bryan Cook. Dean, a young defensive back with a mix of college production and NFL practice squad experience, brings athleticism and positional versatility that fits the Chiefs’ defensive scheme. Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs explores Dean’s football journey, his skill set, and how he could contribute to the Chiefs—both as a practice squad contributor and a potential future call-up to the active roster.

Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs begins with Dean’s path to the NFL, which started with a standout college career at the University of Florida. A four-year contributor for the Gators (2019-2022), Dean emerged as a defensive leader, playing both safety and cornerback—a versatility that became his calling card. Over his college career, he recorded 222 total tackles, 6 interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and 3 sacks, earning All-SEC Honorable Mention honors in 2021 and 2022. His ability to play multiple secondary positions and excel in both run support and pass coverage caught the attention of NFL scouts, though he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Dean signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, spending his rookie season on their practice squad, where he refined his technique and adapted to NFL-level speed. In 2024, he briefly joined the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad before being released in late November—creating an opportunity for the Chiefs to add him. “Trey is a player we’ve had our eye on since his college days,” Chiefs secondary coach Dave Merritt said. “His versatility to play safety and corner, plus his physicality in the run game, fits exactly what we look for in our defensive backs. Adding him to the practice squad gives us another young talent to develop.”

To understand why Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs is a strategic move, it’s important to examine the Chiefs’ current secondary depth needs. While the Chiefs’ starting secondary (Reid, Cook, cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie) ranks among the NFL’s best—Kansas City is 9th in passing yards allowed per game (219.8)—the team’s backup options have been thinned by injury. Edwards, the primary backup safety, suffered a hamstring strain in Week 14 and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks, leaving only third-year player Deon Bush as a proven backup behind Reid and Cook. Additionally, cornerback backup Joshua Williams has been limited by a shoulder injury, forcing the Chiefs to use linebackers in emergency nickel packages in recent practices. Dean’s versatility addresses these gaps: he can practice at both safety and nickel corner, allowing the Chiefs to simulate opposing offenses’ schemes in practice without overtaxing their healthy players. His college experience in zone coverage also aligns with the Chiefs’ defensive scheme, which relies on safeties to read quarterbacks and adjust coverage on the fly. “Depth in the secondary is critical this time of year, especially with the physicality of the NFL season,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “Trey gives us a player who can step in and contribute in practice right away, which helps keep our starters fresh and our defense sharp.”

Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs also breaks down the specific role Dean will play on the practice squad—and how it could evolve. In the NFL, practice squad players serve two key purposes: they simulate opposing teams’ players during weekly preparations (helping the Chiefs’ defense practice against different styles) and act as “insurance” in case of injuries to active roster players. For Dean, this means spending weekdays mimicking the skills of upcoming opponents’ safeties or slot receivers—for example, emulating Cincinnati Bengals safety Nick Scott’s hard-hitting style ahead of Week 16’s matchup. Beyond practice reps, Dean will work closely with Merritt and Spagnuolo to refine his NFL game, focusing on improving his route recognition and tackling technique at the professional level. For the Kansas City Chiefs, practice squad additions like Dean are investments in both the short and long term: if an injury occurs, he could be elevated to the active roster (NFL teams can elevate up to two practice squad players per game), and even if he doesn’t see game action in 2024, he gains familiarity with the Chiefs’ system that could make him a candidate for a roster spot in 2025. “Practice squad players are part of our team’s fabric,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “They work just as hard as our active roster guys, and they’re ready to step up when called. Trey understands that role, and he’s already making an impact in practice.”

Another key layer of Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs is how Dean’s skill set complements the Chiefs’ defensive philosophy. Spagnuolo’s defense prioritizes safeties who can do more than just cover—they need to be able to tackle in the open field, blitz from the slot, and communicate adjustments to the rest of the secondary. Dean checks all these boxes: in college, he recorded 10+ tackles in seven games (showcasing his run support ability) and was credited with 3 sacks (proving his effectiveness as a blitzer). At the NFL level, his 4.48-second 40-yard dash speed (measured at his 2023 pro day) allows him to keep up with slot receivers—a critical skill in today’s pass-heavy league. For the Kansas City Chiefs, Dean’s versatility means he can fill multiple roles in emergency situations: if a cornerback gets hurt, he can slide into nickel coverage; if a safety is sidelined, he can step in as a run-stopping safety. This flexibility is invaluable during the playoffs, when injuries often force teams to rely on unexpected contributors. “We don’t just add practice squad players to fill spots—we add players who can contribute in real games if needed,” Merritt said. “Trey has the tools to do that. He’s physical, he’s fast, and he’s a quick learner. That’s exactly what we need.”

The final dimension of Trey Dean III Added to Practice Squad by the Kansas City Chiefs is what this move says about the Chiefs’ approach to roster building—especially during the late season. Kansas City has long been known for using its practice squad to develop young talent and address specific positional needs, rather than just filling out the roster. In recent years, practice squad additions like wide receiver Marcus Kemp and defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth have gone on to make meaningful contributions in playoff games. For Dean, this opportunity is a chance to prove himself in a winning culture—one that prioritizes development and rewards hard work. “Being with the Chiefs is a dream come true,” Dean said in a brief interview after signing. “This organization is all about winning, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help—whether that’s practicing hard, learning from the veterans, or stepping up if my number is called. I just want to be a part of something special.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, adding Dean is a low-risk, high-reward move: he costs little against the salary cap, provides much-needed secondary depth, and could develop into a reliable contributor down the line. As the Chiefs prepare for the final weeks of the regular season and the playoffs, every practice squad addition matters—and Trey Dean III is a piece that could help them stay ahead of the competition when it counts most.