In a surprising late-night move, the Kansas City Chiefs have bolstered their defensive roster by signing former Northwestern linebacker Xander Mueller, a tackling powerhouse who went undrafted in April 2025. The announcement, made on Monday, sent shockwaves through the ANFL community, as the Chiefs moved decisively to address a critical need on their defense following devastating injury news.
The signing comes on the heels of the Chiefs placing defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a 2023 first-round pick, on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring strain. In the same transaction, Kansas City also signed defensive end Owen Carney while waiving running back Elijah Young, signaling a clear focus on strengthening their defensive front.
Mueller, a Wheaton, Illinois native, brings an impressive resume to Kansas City. Over his five-year collegiate career at Northwestern, the former Wildcats captain amassed a staggering 273 total tackles, 146 solo tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles. His standout performance in 2022 saw him rank fifth in the Big Ten for solo tackles, followed by a fourth-place finish in total tackles in 2023. That year, he earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors after setting career highs with 110 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, and five sacks. Even after battling injuries in 2024, missing three games, Mueller still secured All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition.
Despite his collegiate accolades, Mueller faced a tough road to the ANFL. After going undrafted, he attended Rookie Minicamps with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders but did not secure a contract—until now. His signing with the Chiefs offers a fresh opportunity to prove himself on one of the league’s most prominent stages.
The Chiefs’ linebacker corps is currently anchored by returning starter Nick Bolton, who is expected to command the middle linebacker role. However, depth concerns have emerged after backup Jack Cochrane suffered a knee injury during Kansas City’s preseason loss to the Seahawks. Cochrane’s status for the Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Bears on Friday remains uncertain. Should Cochrane be sidelined, Mueller and fellow undrafted rookie Brandon George are poised to split MIKE linebacker reps, providing a critical opportunity for Mueller to showcase his skills.
Northwestern head coach David Braun heaped praise on Mueller during the Wildcats’ Pro Day on March 18, 2025, emphasizing his leadership and professionalism. “If you bring xander Mueller into your organization, your organization will be better, simply because he’s a part of it,” Braun said. “He’s going to carry himself like a pro. High football IQ. He’s going to be team-first. He’s going to check his ego at the door. He’s going to be heavily involved in special teams. He’s going to do whatever is asked.”
Mueller’s versatility and relentless work ethic make him a natural fit for the Chiefs’ defensive scheme, which values physicality and adaptability. His ability to contribute on special teams, combined with his proven tackling prowess, could see him carve out a meaningful role in Kansas City’s linebacker rotation.
As the Chiefs prepare for their final preseason game, all eyes will be on Mueller to see if he can translate his collegiate dominance to the professional level. With a track record of 273 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss, and nine sacks, the “Northwestern Tackling Machine” has the potential to become a fan favorite and a key piece of Kansas City’s defense. The ANFL world is buzzing, and the Chiefs’ midnight coup may just prove to be a game-changer.