The Kansas City Chiefs made a pair of roster moves on December 16, as Week 16 began with signing news.
“[The] Chiefs have signed guard Nick Broeker and safety Tanner McCalister to the practice squad,” Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick relayed on X. He added that the two signings will “fill the slots vacated by CJ Hanson and Mike Edwards,” who were each promoted to the 53-man roster in recent weeks.
Obviously, these two Chiefs moves come in the midst of Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending surgery news, but Derrick pointed out that KC has yet to transfer their superstar quarterback to the injured reserve.
“No official move yet, placing Patrick Mahomes on IR and filling his roster space,” the reporter noted, “which presumably will be QB Chris Oladokun.”
Earlier this week, head coach Andy Reid hinted that Oladokun will likely get the opportunity to back up Gardner Minshew at quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 season, but the Chiefs could theoretically elevate Oladokun from the practice squad and use the 53-man roster spot on someone else.
Chiefs Bulk Offensive Line With Nick Broeker Signing News
GettyThe Kansas City Chiefs have signed offensive lineman Nick Broeker.
The Chiefs’ biggest issue in 2025 has been absences on the offensive line. When the full starting five has been out there on the field together, they’ve been pretty solid, but this group just has not been at full strength often enough.
And, to be blunt, the replacements have not been up to snuff.
Broeker now enters the fold as a new potential backup guard. He began his career as a seventh-round pick of the AFC rival Buffalo Bills, but never appeared in a game for them.
Broeker has suited up for 12 regular season outings with the Houston Texans, logging 9 offensive snaps and another 53 on special teams.
He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, and just turned 25 years old in October. In college, Broeker started for Ole Miss in front of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (before he transferred to Ohio State).
Chiefs’ Week 16 Addition Tanner McCalister Is a Former Undrafted Prospect Who Played for the Browns & Broncos
The other new Chiefs signing, McCalister, is an undrafted safety who has been bouncing around the NFL since 2023.
McCalister split his collegiate time between Oklahoma State and Ohio State, racking up 149 total tackles, 4 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups over a 62-game career.
At the professional level, McCalister has appeared in games with the Browns and AFC West rival Denver Broncos. KC likely took note of the 5-foot-11 defensive back while he was suiting up for the latter in 2024.
In six career regular season appearances, McCalister has mostly been utilized on special teams with 91 ST snaps and just 19 snaps on defense. He has been credited with 9 total tackles and no other defensive statistics.
Back in 2023, NFL Draft Buzz scouted McCalister as an “aggressive” sure tackler who is physical at the line of scrimmage.
“He’s a willing and capable hitter in run support and closes fast to make plays against quick screens,” the scouting site wrote at the time.
On the flip side, McCalister was criticized for his frequent penalties and playing “out of control” too often. This includes prioritizing big hits over securing a tackle.
If the Chiefs can coach that out of McCalister’s game, perhaps the soon-to-be 26-year-old can grow into a role on special teams.
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