The Kansas City Chiefs look to nab their third consecutive win when they face the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. look unstoppable during their 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Heading into Week 8, Mahomes leads the league in total offensive touchdowns (18).
While the Chiefs’ offense is humming with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown all healthy and active, they’ve also powered through the absence of starting left tackle Josh Simmons.
While Simmons attends to a family matter in California, Jaylon Moore stepped in to start at left tackle. Right guard Trey Smith, who’s dealing with a back injury, also hasn’t practiced all week and isn’t expected to play against Washington. Jawaan Taylor is dealing with a knee and shoulder injury suffered against the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
All this set the stage for a reunion with preseason standout Esa Pole. The Chiefs planned to sign Pole to the practice squad after he didn’t make the final roster cut in August, but that plan blew up after the New York Jets scooped him up off waivers.
The Jets, however, released the 6-foot-5 tackle and he cleared waivers on October 24.
The Chiefs Officially Re-Signed Esa Pole on Saturday
GettyChiefs tackle Esa Pole during training camp on August 03, 2025 in St Joseph, Missouri.
Following Pole’s release from the Jets, he immediately flew to Kansas on Friday evening. Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick reported the following day, “OT Esa Pole cleared his physical Saturday morning and officially signed with the Chiefs practice squad. He will be wearing No. 70.”
The Chiefs never planned on letting Pole leave Kansas City. AtoZ Sports Charles Goldman posted, “When the Chiefs released Pole during 53-man cuts, they told him he was the 54th man and they really, really wanted him back on the practice squad. The [New York] Jets claimed him then, but now [the Chiefs] get another chance.”
Pole provides Kansas City a solid depth piece who’s already familiar with head coach Andy Reid’s playbook. The former Washington State Cougar never appeared in a game with the 0-7 Jets. New York made him a healthy scratch each week before his release.
The Chiefs are Not Sleeping on A Heavily Banged-Up Commanders Team
GettyChiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium on October 19, 2025.
The Commanders will be without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels on Monday Night Football, and their defense is heavily depleted. While Washington’s defense ranks 27th in yards allowed per game, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is not lowering the bar for his players.
“The execution by these players has been great. Protect the football,” Nagy told reporters. “That has been a key element in making sure that with our defense that we have, if we protect the football and we score touchdowns, we’re always going to be in good shape. And then never get relaxed with the details.
“This is a detailed offense, and so just when you think you’re doing everything the right way, all of a sudden, one little detail can hurt you.”
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