As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for a pivotal offseason, significant changes loom in their secondary. The team is expected to lose key contributors, including Nazeeh Johnson, Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams, three corners drafted in 2022. In addition, they’ll be without Eric Scott Jr., who had brief time with the team, and several key safeties—Bryan Cook, Mike Edwards, and Deon Bush, who missed the entire 2025 season with a torn Achilles.

With a tight salary cap situation—currently over $57 million—the Chiefs are unlikely to re-sign many of their departing secondary players. As such, the team will need to look for alternatives to shore up their defensive depth. One such move came this week, as the Chiefs signed Tanner McCalister, a 26-year-old safety, to a reserve/futures deal.

McCalister’s Journey Through the NFL

McCalister, an undrafted free agent in 2023, has had an unorthodox career path thus far. After being signed by the Cleveland Browns following the draft, McCalister spent his rookie season on the practice squad but was elevated to the active roster three times. Despite limited action, McCalister recorded two tackles in his appearances.

The Dallas native’s 2024 season saw him make a brief stop with the Denver Broncos, where he played in three games but failed to register any defensive snaps. However, McCalister did contribute on special teams, playing 54 snaps and making one tackle.

In December 2025, McCalister joined the Chiefs’ practice squad but was cut in early January. However, his return to the team via the reserve/futures deal demonstrates Kansas City’s interest in seeing what the young safety can bring to the table in 2026.

Filling Gaps in the Chiefs’ Secondary

With the secondary looking potentially thin heading into 2026, McCalister provides the Chiefs with a low-risk option who can contribute in multiple roles, including special teams and as depth at safety. Although McCalister hasn’t yet established himself as a consistent contributor on defense, his familiarity with the team could be beneficial as Kansas City deals with several departures in their defensive backfield.

Under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs have had success in developing undrafted and low-round draft picks into contributors, especially in the secondary. A recent example includes Chris Roland-Wallace, who, as an undrafted free agent in 2024, secured the starting nickel cornerback spot until a back injury ended his season early. Additionally, Jaylen Watson, a former seventh-round pick in 2022, solidified a starting boundary corner position alongside Roland-Wallace in the Chiefs’ defense.

McCalister’s signing is a shot in the dark, but it aligns with the Chiefs‘ strategy of finding value where others might overlook it. Given the potential for departures in their secondary, McCalister could be given the opportunity to earn a role on the team. If he impresses during training camp and preseason, he could become a solid depth piece or even compete for a starting job if other options fail to materialize.

What McCalister Can Bring in 2026

Although McCalister doesn’t have the pedigree or experience of more established players in the Chiefs’ secondary, his youth and versatility could make him a useful piece for Kansas City in 2026. At 26 years old, McCalister is still in the prime of his career, and with a reserve/futures deal, the Chiefs have the chance to develop him without significant risk.

If McCalister performs well during offseason activities and camp, he could emerge as a valuable contributor on special teams or a depth piece at safety. The Chiefs have long relied on their secondary to create turnovers and disrupt passing games, and McCalister’s ability to provide support in those areas, even in a limited role, could help stabilize a unit that is likely to experience some turnover this year.

Conclusion: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Signing for the Chiefs

The Chiefs’ decision to sign Tanner McCalister to a reserve/futures deal is a smart move in a cap-strapped offseason. While McCalister may not be a household name or a guaranteed starter, he brings flexibility and the potential to develop into a meaningful contributor. As the team works to replace several key pieces in the secondary, McCalister’s ability to compete for a roster spot, provide depth, and contribute on special teams makes him a worthwhile addition to the team.

Kansas City has shown an ability to unearth valuable players from lesser-known backgrounds, and McCalister could be the next example of the team finding talent where others have passed. With the offseason underway, the Chiefs will look for more pieces like McCalister to fill out their roster and prepare for a potential Super Bowl run in 2026.