Kansas City, MO – May 6, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs may have found their next sleeper stars at rookie minicamp, as undrafted free agents Jake Briningstool and Elijhah Badger emerged as surprise standouts—just months after the team’s disappointing 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles.
🔥 Briningstool: The Tight End Matchup Nightmare
Standing 6’5” and boasting 127 catches and 17 touchdowns during his Clemson career, Jake Briningstool didn’t hear his name called on draft day—but Kansas City wasted no time scooping him up. His $234,000 guaranteed deal, which includes a $30,000 signing bonus, proves how much the Chiefs believe in his potential.
“Jake’s a matchup nightmare,” head coach Andy Reid said, praising Briningstool’s red-zone presence and special teams versatility (120 career snaps). He’s now firmly in the race for the TE3 spot, behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
⚡ Badger: The Explosive Weapon
Wide receiver Elijhah Badger turned heads with his 4.43 speed, crisp route-running, and 806 receiving yards in 2024. The 6’1” Florida product brings value not just on offense, but also as a punt returner—a role that puts veteran WR Justin Watson on notice.
“Elijhah’s electric,” said GM Brett Veach, who sees him as a strong WR5 contender. His 82.5% first-down conversion rate speaks volumes.
💰 Cap Room & Roster Strategy
With $12.7 million in cap space, Kansas City has flexibility. Recent roster cuts—including DE Mike Danna and WR Nikko Remigio—have opened doors for fresh talent. Briningstool and Badger are outperforming players like Tre Watson and Mac Dalena, using special teams as their golden ticket.
The Chiefs have two draft picks remaining, including No. 226, and are likely targeting secondary help. But if minicamp is any indicator, these two undrafted rookies might already be the steals of the offseason.
🏆 Chiefs Kingdom Reacts
Chiefs fans are buzzing with hope. In the wake of a tough Super Bowl loss, Briningstool and Badger represent the kind of fresh energy the Kingdom needs. And with training camp looming, the battle for a 2025 roster spot just got a lot more exciting.
