Chiefs Drop Promising Rookie to Practice Squad After Skipping Game-Plan Meeting Ahead of Ravens Clash

Kansas City, MO – September 27, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs stunned their fanbase on Saturday with a surprising roster move, sending a highly regarded rookie linebacker to the practice squad just hours before their pivotal Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Once considered a key depth piece for the linebacker corps, the young player now faces an early career setback that has left both fans and analysts questioning what went wrong.

Signed as a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he turned heads throughout training camp and preseason with his raw speed and tackling prowess. At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, he appeared to be a natural fit for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system, particularly as a developmental outside linebacker. Though he earned a spot on the Chiefs’ initial 53-man roster, he did not see the field in the first three games (Week 1 vs. the Ravens, Week 2 vs. the Bengals, Week 3 vs. the Falcons). That lack of action reportedly set the stage for the team’s controversial decision.

The player is Cooper McDonald, a 22-year-old linebacker out of TCU. According to multiple team insiders, McDonald skipped a mandatory game-plan meeting on Saturday morning at the team’s Kansas City facility. The session, typically lasting an hour or more, focuses on film study, opponent scouting, and role assignments ahead of game day. Sources say McDonald excused his absence by claiming he “knew he wouldn’t play,” a stance the coaching staff viewed as unacceptable.

Head coach Andy Reid, who has built his tenure on accountability and team-first culture, addressed the move directly.

“Talent will always matter in this league, but attitude matters more. If a player skips a game-plan meeting just because he thinks he’s only a backup, he’s revealing everything about his mindset. We build this team on character, not excuses.”

Reid emphasized that preparation is non-negotiable, regardless of whether the player is Patrick Mahomes or the last man on the depth chart. He described the demotion as a clear statement about the culture in Kansas City: discipline and professionalism come before raw talent.

McDonald arrived in Kansas City with a strong college pedigree, earning All-Big 12 honors at TCU, where he anchored a versatile defense that forced over 30 turnovers in his senior year. His rookie contract, worth roughly $4.1 million over four years, reflected the Chiefs’ investment in his long-term development.

But with a deep linebacker room headlined by Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and emerging talent Willie Gay, McDonald was relegated to a backup role. His frustration with limited opportunities—and his decision to skip Saturday’s meeting—has now resulted in a costly misstep.

The move opens a spot on the 53-man roster, and the Chiefs are reportedly weighing options to elevate a player from the practice squad. Linebacker Jack Gibbon and edge rusher D'Von Gales are among the candidates to be called up for Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers.

As for McDonald, he remains eligible for up to three standard elevations this season but will need to show renewed focus and commitment to work his way back onto the active roster.

The demotion underscores a reality for every NFL newcomer: talent alone isn’t enough. Professionalism, preparation, and mindset often dictate who thrives and who falters. For McDonald, it’s a tough but necessary lesson—one that could define the trajectory of his career.

The Chiefs haven’t closed the book on McDonald. On the practice squad, he’ll continue to develop while awaiting another chance. But in Kansas City’s demanding football culture, the road back will require more than talent. It will demand maturity, accountability, and a willingness to embrace the grind.