Chiefs Fan Favorite Keeps a Promise to His Grandfather, Returns to KC on a Practice Squad Deal
Kansas City, Mo. — After being left off the 53-man roster, Mike Edwards chose the least glamorous but most meaningful path: signing a Practice Squad deal to keep wearing Kansas City’s Red and Gold. For Edwards, this isn’t just a career decision—it’s a promise to the person who led him to football in the first place.
"My grandfather has been a Chiefs fan since he was a kid. He always wanted me to dedicate myself to the Chiefs, not any other team. I respect the coach’s decision to not include me in the final 53-man roster, but for my grandfather, I asked for one more chance — even if it’s just the Practice Squad. The Chiefs gave me that opportunity, and I’m truly grateful. Because of them, I can keep my promise to my grandpa. I vow to bring relentless energy to Kansas City — in every practice, every lift, every drill, every snap — and prove I’m worthy of it every single day."
Edwards’ decision came after a tense cutdown week. He understands why the staff prioritized youth and versatility on the back end, but the desire to keep contributing in Red and Gold—even if it’s only a Practice Squad spot—pushed him to ask for one more chance. At 29, a veteran who started games and appeared in all 17 last season, staying in the building, mastering the playbook, and being ready the moment the team calls his name is how he keeps his word to family.
In the current safety picture, Kansas City revolves around Bryan Cook, rising rookie Jaden Hicks, and hybrid defender Chamarri Conner. Keeping Edwards on the Practice Squad preserves proven experience and “football IQ” without taking up a 53-man slot. When needed, nickel back Chris Roland-Wallace can step in at safety, and All-Pro Trent McDuffie remains the emergency third-safety answer—yet a veteran like Edwards is still a valuable safety net for Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
The deepest impact is inside the locker room. Edwards brings calm, pro habits, and a special-teams edge—intangibles that rarely make headlines but sustain a championship culture. His story about his grandfather—a lifelong Chiefs fan—radiates the kind of energy the NFL is built on: respect for the organization, accountability to yourself, and fighting for the next opportunity.
From a football standpoint, the Practice Squad is a doorway, not a destination. Current rules allow temporary elevations to the gameday roster; perform well, and the path back to the active 53 is always open. With ball-hawking instincts and playoff experience, Edwards knows he has to earn every snap with daily work—film room to weight room to practice field to Sunday.
For the Chiefs, it’s a smart depth play and a cap-savvy move: a reliable plug-in for nickel/dime packages, steadying the locker room, and preparing for the grind of a long season with its inevitable injuries. For Edwards, it’s a promise fulfilled—continuing to play for his grandfather’s team and fighting to turn the smallest chance into the biggest moment in Kansas City.
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