The Kansas City Chiefs are deep into their roster evaluation for 2025, with just a single preseason game left to determine the fate of a few unsettled spots. A major talking point centers on special teams, where Nikko Remigio has been the team’s primary kick returner in 2024 and the lone incumbent from last year to have returned a punt. Yet momentum around his job is shifting as the team weighs its options.
The Chiefs’ wide receivers enter the final discussions with three clear holdovers as likely starters: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown. Rookie Jalen Royals and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster are also expected to factor into the rotation. Beyond that quartet, the question becomes: how many receivers will Kansas City keep?
Rashee Rice’s potential suspension related to a 2024 reckless driving incident adds a layer of complexity, since the league’s decision isn’t expected until after Week 4. That timing could influence whether the Chiefs carry seven receivers from the outset or opt for six, which would free up roster spots elsewhere—potentially opening room for four running backs or four tight ends, depending on how coach Brett Veach wants to shape the group.
Remigio’s standing is now more uncertain. He’s being weighed against a group that includes Skyy Moore, Tyquan Thornton, and Jason Brownlee, and in two preseason games he’s been used on offense after those players but hasn’t taken on a significant offensive role. His specialty is supposed to be on return duties, yet through two exhibitions he’s appeared in only one special-teams play out of 48 total on kickoffs, punts, field goals, and extra points.
Meanwhile, rookie Brashard Smith has been active in the return game, participating in roughly three-quarters of kick returns, and he’s also competing for a spot in the running back room. That creates a tougher decision for Remigio: is he retained for his proven ball security and veteran presence on returns, or is Smith viewed as the more versatile option who can contribute both on offense and as a return man?
If the Chiefs decide Smith can handle primary return duties or contribute more meaningfully on offense, Remigio’s path to the 53-man roster may hinge on a clear special-teams role or the perceived value of his returning experience. Conversely, if the team values Remigio’s familiarity with the system and his proven reliability on kick and punt returns, he could hold on to a spot despite limited offseason production.
What this all boils down to is a balancing act: should Kansas City lean toward veteran stability and return-game experience, or lean into rookie upside and offensive versatility? The answer will reveal itself after the final preseason game and in the decisions Veach and his staff make in the weeks leading up to the initial 53-man lineup.
Bottom line: Remigio’s roster status remains in flux, shaped by Rice’s suspension timeline, Brashard Smith’s development and usage, and how the Chiefs value return-game reliability versus offensive contribution. The Chiefs’ depth at wide receiver, running back, and tight end will all factor into whether Remigio, Smith, or both stay in Kansas City this season.
Summary takeaways for readers:
– The Chiefs are assessing whether to keep six or seven receivers, with Rice’s suspension looming as a possible accelerant for a smaller WR group.
– Brashard Smith’s strong involvement in returns and offense could squeeze Remigio out unless Remigio proves uncommon value on special teams beyond kickoff returns.
– The final decision will reflect Veach’s broader strategy for balancing a deep roster at WR with the need to maximize special teams and offensive flexibility.
Additional notes for readers (value-added):
– Watch the final preseason game for hints on kick return duties: which players are fielding returns and how the coaching staff deploys them during kickoffs and punts.
– Consider how the team might use Smith if he secures a running back role, as that could influence whether Remigio remains on the roster for return duties.
– Keep an eye on the league’s ruling timing for Rice’s suspension, as it can indirectly affect the early-season WR depth chart and special-teams strategy.