Chiefs Make Move That Affects Patrick Mahomes Before NFL Playoffs

With the AFC’s top seed and a bye week secured, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will be able to watch the NFL playoffs from home in the Wild Card round.

Kansas City would only be eligible to play four teams in the Divisional Round: the Denver Broncos (7), Los Angeles Chargers (5), Pittsburgh Steelers (6), and the lowest-seeded winner between the Houston Texans (No. 4 seed).

With all of the injuries the Chiefs have had this season, the wide receiver position has been problematic. Due to a shoulder injury, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown missed much of the season but will now play in the playoffs. Rashee Rice sustained a knee injury that ended her season.

#Chiefs sign Montrell Washington to practice squad

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 7, 2025

Additionally, Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman remain on injured reserve and are not anticipated to participate in the opening playoff game.

Wide receiver Montrell Washington was added to the practice squad by Kansas City on Tuesday, amid all the problems Mahomes’ pass-catchers have been having. In order to make room for Washington, the Chiefs also had to cut linebacker Blake Lynch.

Washington played for the Chiefs when they defeated the 49ers in the previous season’s Super Bowl. Prior to his release on December 30, he spent the majority of 2024 as a member of the practice squad. Kansas City has now decided to reinstate the locker room favorite.

Due to Jack Cochrane’s injury, Kansas City needed a linebacker, so Lynch was brought in for the Week 18 finale versus Denver. But heading into the postseason, it appears to favor Washington over Cochrane.

The Broncos selected Washington with the 162nd overall choice in the 2022 NFL Draft. He earned time on the special teams unit during his one season with Denver. The 25-year-old caught 129 passes for 1,686 yards and 16 touchdowns while playing collegiate football for Samford. As a return specialist, he was also named to the FCS All-American first team in 2019.

With Washington returning to the squad, Mahomes may have a new pass-catcher if the Chiefs’ wide receiver injuries resurface after their opening playoff game.