In a move that has left the NFL world reeling, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has made a stunning decision to part ways with a promising young talent, just as the team’s defensive pressures mount heading into Week 3. The shocking waiver of 2023 fifth-round draft pick BJ Thompson on Friday, September 12, 2025, went unnoticed by the local beat reporters until Monday night, highlighting the unexpected nature of the transaction. This abrupt axing comes at a precarious time for the Chiefs, who are grappling with underwhelming pass-rush production through the first two weeks of the season.
The Overlooked Waiver: Thompson’s Sudden Exit
Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick broke the news on X, expressing disbelief at the oversight: “I can’t believe we all missed this Friday …. the Chiefs reached a non-injury settlement [with] DE BJ Thompson and placed him on waivers.” Derrick further noted that Thompson cleared waivers on Monday and is now officially a free agent, severing ties with the organization that drafted him less than two years ago.
Thompson’s tenure with Kansas City was brief and unremarkable on paper. The edge rusher appeared in just one regular-season game during his rookie year in 2023—a Week 17 matchup where he recorded 28 defensive snaps and 16 on special teams, along with two solo tackles. The Chiefs had envisioned a developmental path for Thompson, planning to redshirt his rookie season and gradually integrate him into the rotation in 2024. However, a life-threatening health scare derailed those plans entirely.
A Cardiac Arrest That Changed Everything
The turning point came in June 2024, during a team meeting at the Chiefs’ practice facility. As detailed by A-to-Z Sports Kansas City’s Charles Goldman on September 15, 2025, Thompson suffered a cardiac arrest. Teammate Harrison Butker quickly alerted the medical staff, who performed CPR and used a defibrillator to resuscitate him. Remarkably, Thompson was discharged from the hospital just four days later and even attended the Chiefs’ Super Bowl ring ceremony. Despite this resilience, he remained on the non-football illness (NFI) list for the entire 2024 season, never returning to practice or games.
Head coach Andy Reid’s last public comment on Thompson came earlier in the spring of 2025, when the team initially placed him on injured reserve following a waiver. Reid optimistically stated that Thompson was “making progress” and taking “great, great strides,” though he admitted the player was “not quite there yet.” The recent non-injury settlement suggests Thompson is now seeking a fresh start elsewhere, potentially aiming to resume his career in the 2025 season. Whether another team will take a chance on him remains uncertain, given the severity of his medical history.
Rising Pressure on the Chiefs’ Defense: A Roster in Need
The timing of Thompson’s departure couldn’t be worse for Kansas City, as their pass rush has been alarmingly ineffective through two games. With key edge rushers Felix Anudike-Uzomah and veteran Janarius Robinson sidelined for the season due to injuries, the Chiefs are desperate for depth at the position. Yet, Veach’s decision to cut ties with Thompson leaves that void even larger.
Pro Football Focus data underscores the issue. George Karlaftis leads the team with 8 quarterback pressures and an 8.3% pass-rush win rate, but even he hasn’t dominated. Superstar Chris Jones boasts a higher 10.3% win rate but has only mustered 4 pressures. The supporting cast is equally underwhelming: Charles Omenihu and Jerry Tillery each have just 2 pressures, while recent draft picks Ashton Gillotte and Omarr Norman-Lott are limited to 1 apiece. This lack of production from the defensive line has put immense pressure on the secondary and contributed to the team’s uneven start.
As the Chiefs prepare for Week 3, Veach’s shocking move raises questions about the front office’s strategy. Is this a calculated risk to clear cap space or bring in a veteran free agent? Or does it signal deeper concerns about Thompson’s long-term viability post-cardiac arrest? Whatever the rationale, the decision has shocked the NFL community and intensified scrutiny on Kansas City’s ability to bolster their pass rush before it’s too late.
In the high-stakes world of the AFC West, where every edge matters, Veach’s axe on this rookie draft pick could either be a bold gamble that pays off or a misstep that haunts the Chiefs’ championship aspirations.