Former Chiefs All-Pro Signals Strong Desire for Return as Kansas City’s Season Hangs in the Balance
Kansas City, MO – December 4, 2025
With the Kansas City Chiefs sitting at an uncharacteristic 6–6 and facing the real possibility of missing the postseason for the first time in over a decade, a familiar voice has stepped forward with a message that is difficult for general manager Brett Veach to ignore.
Former All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu appeared on Up & Adams on Monday and made it clear—more clearly than ever before—that he is open, willing, and even eager to return to Kansas City if the team reaches out.
When host Kay Adams asked if he would consider rejoining the Chiefs, Mathieu didn’t hesitate.
Tyrann Mathieu back to the Chiefs???
HE'S ALL FOR IT.
Brett Veach on line 1.
pic.twitter.com/o0yO23qyua — Kay Adams (@heykayadams) December 1, 2025
“I’m not gonna say no… I won’t say no,” he said, acknowledging that he remains in contact with both Veach and head coach Andy Reid. Adams joked about walking down to Veach’s office after the interview, and Mathieu responded with a smile that suggested the idea wasn’t far-fetched.
For a player who previously indicated he was comfortable stepping away from football, this was something entirely different. It was a direct signal—if Kansas City calls, he will answer.
A Struggling Secondary Meets a Familiar Solution
Mathieu’s comments come at a time when the Chiefs’ safety room faces significant challenges.
Justin Reid departed in the offseason.
Bryan Cook has been dealing with injuries.
Communication issues and inconsistency have plagued the back end of the defense.
Mathieu, who anchored Kansas City’s secondary during their 2019 championship run, knows the system, understands Steve Spagnuolo’s demands, and brings the type of veteran presence the current roster lacks.
His message was not subtle: he believes he can still help, and he believes the Chiefs need what he offers.
“You Want to Help Your Friends” — Mathieu Explains His Shift
When Adams asked what changed since his earlier comments about staying retired, Mathieu gave a candid response.
“You want to help your friends… you want your friends to have a fighting chance,”
This wasn’t nostalgia. It was competitiveness. It was the mindset of a veteran who sees a team he once led fighting to stay afloat—and believes he still has more to give.
Would Kansas City Consider the Reunion?
The idea of adding a 33-year-old safety carries risk, but Kansas City is not in a normal position. The defense has missed a stabilizing force on the back end. Leadership has been inconsistent. Energy has wavered during a difficult stretch.
Mathieu’s presence—both on the field and in the locker room—could address multiple issues at once.
Whether Brett Veach decides to pursue the reunion remains to be seen. But after Monday’s interview, one thing is clear:
If the Chiefs make the call, Tyrann Mathieu is ready to pick up.
Kansas City Chiefs Officially Cut 2025 Draft Pick Ahead of Cutdown Day
The Kansas City Chiefs have entered roster cut season with a surprising move. Ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man deadline, the team confirmed the release of one of its recent draft selections, marking an early shakeup on the offensive line.
Cutdown day always forces difficult decisions. Coaches weigh experience against potential, balancing immediate needs with long-term development. In Kansas City’s case, the pressure is heightened by a winless preseason and the pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
The offensive line, once considered a position of strength, became a focal point of evaluation. With established veterans holding firm and promising rookies impressing in camp, one developmental player found himself slipping down the depth chart quickly.
That player is C.J. Hanson, the Chiefs’ seventh-round pick in 2025. Selected 248th overall out of Holy Cross, Hanson entered camp with intriguing athleticism but struggled to stand out in a crowded and competitive offensive line group.
At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Hanson posted an elite 9.84 Relative Athletic Score during the draft process, ranking among the best-tested linemen of his era. In college, he started 38 straight games, earning All-American recognition and dominating pass protection.
Despite the pedigree, the transition to NFL speed proved difficult. During preseason action, Hanson logged limited snaps and failed to make a notable impact. Depth players like Mike Caliendo, Wanya Morris, and Esa Pole outperformed him consistently in practice and games.
Analysts had foreshadowed the decision. Some viewed Hanson as a long-term project best suited for the practice squad. But with Kansas City prioritizing proven contributors to protect Patrick Mahomes, developmental prospects became a luxury the roster could not afford.
Hanson now enters waivers, where his athletic profile could entice another team to take a chance. If unclaimed, a return to Kansas City’s practice squad remains possible, but for now, his release underscores the harsh realities of cutdown week.
