The room fell silent as the training staff sprang into action. One second, B.J. Thompson was just another name in a team meeting—cracking jokes, scribbling notes. The next, he was fighting for his life. Seizure. Cardiac arrest. CPR on the spot. Within 90 seconds, a defibrillator snapped him back to the living. And just six days later? He was standing—smiling—at the Chiefs’ (2023) Super Bowl ring ceremony, reminding everyone that grit doesn’t end at the whistle. It should’ve been the start of an incredible comeback. Instead, Thompson now finds himself in NFL limbo. Because in Kansas City, even miracles take a backseat when the salary cap starts knocking—and Andy Reid still has rings to chase.
“If you have a piece of chocolate cake, and you see another dangling in front of you, you’re gonna want it. That’s how you feel about the Super Bowl” Reid once mused, his words dripping with the same hunger that’s defined the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty. But even the sweetest victories come with a side of adversity—something the Chiefs know all too well after a whirlwind offseason. With Patrick Mahomes’ armor (a.k.a. the offensive line) needing reinforcements and the salary cap crunchier than a stale pretzel, Kansas City’s front office is making moves sharper than a Travis Kelce route.
Enter the roster shuffle. To free up space for undrafted rookies, the Chiefs waived Thompson—still rehabbing after that harrowing seizure last June—and released Blake Lynch. If Thompson clears waivers, he’ll boomerang back to KC’s injured reserve, continuing a comeback story that’s already defied odds. Meanwhile, Lynch’s departure ($1.1M cap hit vanished) is a cold reminder that the NFL stands for ‘Not For Long.’ But this isn’t just paperwork; it’s chess and Reid’s playing 4D chess, balancing grit with cap gymnastics.
Andy Reid continues the NFL grind
On June 6, 2024, B.J. Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a special teams meeting at the Chiefs’ practice facility. The Chiefs’ medical staff responded immediately—administering CPR and delivering a defibrillator shock that revived him within a minute and a half—and transported him to The University of Kansas Health System. Initially unconscious and placed on a ventilator overnight, he regained consciousness the following day and was reported to be ‘awake, alert, and in stable condition.’
He was discharged on June 10, 2024, just four days after the incident. Remarkably, one week later—on June 13—Thompson made a surprise appearance at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl ring ceremony, showcasing his determination. On his 26th birthday, he reflected, “Almost lost my life at 25… Still blessed to see 26,” expressing gratitude for the support he received. ‘Adversity introduces a man to himself,’ they say—and Thompson’s intro has been Oscar-worthy. His resilience mirrors KC’s ethos: bend, don’t break. Even Lynch, a Swiss Army knife LB who clawed from practice squad to Week 18 starter, embodies the ‘next man up’ grind that fuels Reid’s machine. But the grind has little regard for sentiment.
To free up roster spots for undrafted free agents, the Chiefs waived DE B.J. Thompson and released LB Blake Lynch.
Per source, if Thompson clears waivers, he will revert back to the Chiefs on injured reserve and will continue his rehab from the seizure he suffered last June.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) May 4, 2025
But this offseason wasn’t all about cuts. The Chiefs bolstered their roster with a flurry of free-agent signings: Jaylon Moore (OT) inked a two-year, $30 million deal to fortify the line; Kristian Fulton (CB) brings lockdown coverage; Gardner Minshew (QB) arrives as a savvy backup; Jerry Tillery (DT) adds interior pop; Mike Edwards (S) patrols the back end; Janarius Robinson (DE) injects pass-rush juice; and Robert Rochell (CB) shores up the secondary. These pickups aren’t mere splashes—they’re calculated strikes in cap-gymnastics.
Then came draft night: with the 32nd overall pick, KC grabbed Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State) to anchor the blind side. Round 2 yielded Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee), a disruptor in the trenches. In Round 3, they added Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville) and Nohl Williams (CB, California), stacking depth on both edges. The Chiefs gambled on speed with Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State) in Round 4 and locked in power with Brashard Smith (RB, SMU) in Round 7. Rookie contracts, meet cap relief.
Of course, somebody’s gotta pack their bags. Post-draft cuts saw Shaun Bradley (LB), Anthony Firkser (TE), Baylor Cupp (TE), McKade Mettauer (G), and Jason Taylor (S) wave goodbye—proof that for every new blood injected, some old must be sacrificed.
But let’s talk strategy. Shedding Lynch’s contract isn’t just about nickels and dimes—it’s about Mahomes’ dimes. Freeing $1.1M might seem like pocket change, but in Capology 101, every penny primes the pump for Mahomes’ $450M kingdom. Reid, the Willy Wonka of playbooks, knows you protect the golden ticket (read: Mahomes) at all costs. Which brings us to the real headline: rookie Josh Simmons, whose patellar tendon rehab could make or break KC’s three-peat dreams.
Josh Simmons: Reid’s rehab warrior and their next great wall
“Whatever the trainers will have me doing is what I’ll do,” Simmons said, his voice calm but eyes laser-focused. “I’m in the playbook, taking mental reps… attacking rehab like hell.” The 32nd overall pick isn’t just a 6’5”, 317-lb wall of muscle; he’s a phoenix. Before tearing his patellar tendon in October 2024, Simmons was a lock for OT1 in the draft. At Ohio State, he allowed zero sacks in six games—a stat line Mahomes probably dreams about after last year’s 44 QB hits.
Simmons’ DNA practically bleeds sports. His dad, Nelson Simmons, mashed homers in MLB, and uncle Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala bulldozed NFL defenses. But pedigree doesn’t block edge rushers—technique does. Scouts rave about Simmons’ ‘quick feet’ and ‘recovery speed,’ though his grip strength needs work (tell that to Aaron Donald). “I had to grow up fast,” he admitted, reflecting on his injury. “Put frustration into rehab… attack it every day.” Translation: This ain’t his first rodeo.
For the Chiefs, Simmons isn’t a luxury—he’s a lifeline. Last season, KC’s O-line ranked 20th in pass protection, a stat as appetizing as lukewarm nachos. Enter Simmons, the human reset button. If he stays healthy, he’s the blindside bodyguard Mahomes has craved since Eric Fisher left town. Think Orlando Pace meets Jason Kelce’s IQ—with a chip on his shoulder wider than the Missouri River.
‘This is the way,’ growls The Mandalorian’s Din Djarin—a mantra KC’s brass lives by. From Mahomes’ contract wizardry (freeing $23M this spring) to Simmons’ draft-night steal, every move orbits around sustaining greatness. Reid’s masterstroke? Turning cap hell into cap heaven while betting big on resilience. Because in KC, every underdog has its day—and every chocolate cake deserves a sequel.
So here’s to the chess masters, the rehab warriors, and the dreamers in red and gold. The road to Super Bowl LXI is paved with IR stints, rookie contracts, and a whole lotta Andy Reid magic. Pass the cake.
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