In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs have waived running back Elijah Mitchell, a player who has amassed just under $6 million in career earnings, as part of a flurry of roster adjustments ahead of their Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The announcement came via the team’s official X account on Saturday, December 20, 2025, leaving fans and analysts buzzing about the implications for the reigning Super Bowl contenders.
The Chiefs’ post detailed a series of transactions aimed at bolstering their lineup for the crucial game. “We have signed Practice Squad players T Chukwuebuka Godrick, QB Chris Oladokun and RB Dameon Pierce to active roster contracts,” the team stated. “We have activated Practice Squad players LB Cole Christiansen and T Matt Waletzko via Standard Elevation. We have placed LB Leo Chenal and T Jawaan Taylor on Reserve/Injured. We have waived RB Elijah Mitchell.”
This roster shakeup comes at a pivotal moment for Kansas City, who are looking to solidify their position in the AFC playoff race. With offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor sidelined on injured reserve due to ongoing issues, the team elevated reinforcements like Godrick and Waletzko to shore up the offensive line. Meanwhile, signing quarterback Chris Oladokun provides depth behind starter Gardner Minshew, ensuring stability under center. The addition of running back Dameon Pierce could inject fresh energy into a backfield that has struggled this season.
At the center of the bombshell is the decision to part ways with Mitchell, a 27-year-old veteran who signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Chiefs ahead of the 2025 campaign. Drafted in the sixth round (No. 194 overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, Mitchell showed early promise during his four seasons in the Bay Area. Over his first three years, he racked up 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, while adding 28 receptions for 158 yards and one score through the air. However, injuries derailed his momentum—he missed the entire 2024 season with a severe hamstring tear suffered in training camp.
Mitchell’s tenure in Kansas City proved to be a disappointment. In his lone regular-season appearance this year, he failed to register a single carry and was targeted just once in the passing game, dropping the ball. The move to waive him signals a clear shift in strategy for the Chiefs, who have ranked a middling 21st in the NFL in rushing yards during the 2025 season. With key backs like former seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco and veteran Kareem Hunt both set to hit free agency in March, Kansas City appears poised for a major overhaul in the backfield this offseason.
Head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach have yet to comment publicly on the specifics of Mitchell’s release, but the timing—mere days before facing a Titans defense known for its stout run-stopping—suggests a desire to streamline the roster and focus on players who can contribute immediately. Pierce, a former Houston Texans standout acquired via the practice squad, brings a bruising running style that could complement the Chiefs’ high-octane passing attack led by Minshew.
As the Chiefs prepare for kickoff against Tennessee, this roster bombshell underscores the ruthless nature of the NFL, where even a player with Mitchell’s pedigree and earnings can find himself on the outside looking in. Fans will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the team’s performance on the field, with playoff aspirations hanging in the balance. For Mitchell, the waiver wire opens the door to potential opportunities elsewhere, but his limited production this season may make suitors cautious. Stay tuned for more updates as Kansas City navigates the final stretch of the 2025 regular season.