I was just thinking about how the Kansas City Chiefs had a bit of a logjam at inside linebacker and they’ve now addressed it. The Chiefs have announced the release of veteran inside linebacker Josh Mauga. This comes just a few days before Saturday’s NFL roster cut down. (UPDATE: And now the Chiefs trade for LB Reggie Ragland)
We have released LB Josh Mauga. pic.twitter.com/aTwVir3c8Y
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 28, 2017
I will note that I got this right on my Chiefs 53-man roster prediction last week:
ILB (4): Ramik Wilson, Derrick Johnson, Ukeme Eligwe, Kevin Pierre-Louis
I don’t have Josh Mauga included here. Should I? This was a tough one for me but I had to make the numbers work. I could cut another back to make room for him if I needed it.
Out: Josh Mauga, Justin March, Terrance Smith
Mauga was with the Chiefs previously but missed the entire 2016 season due to an injury. The Chiefs re-signed him a few weeks before training camp which made me think he was likely to make the team. Apparently not.
The Chiefs are set at inside linebacker with a number of options. It even looks like Justin March, who won the job out of camp last year, could be on the roster bubble. Ramik Wilson’s emergence last year and this camp has helped the Chiefs make this decision. He’s looked better this season.