Kansas City, MO – May 6, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs unearthed gems at rookie minicamp, with two undrafted free agents shining brightly. Jake Briningstool and Elijhah Badger are poised to claim 2025 roster spots, bolstering depth after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jake Briningstool, a 6’5” tight end from Clemson, dazzled with 127 career catches and 17 touchdowns. His $234,000 guaranteed deal, including a $30,000 bonus, signals Kansas City’s faith. “Jake’s a matchup nightmare,” coach Andy Reid said. Briningstool’s 120 special teams snaps and red-zone prowess position him as a TE3 behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
Elijhah Badger, a 6’1” wide receiver from Florida, showcased 4.43-second speed and 806 yards in 2024. With a $25,000 signing bonus, he’s a steal. Badger’s punt return experience and 82.5% first-down rate challenge Justin Watson’s role. “Elijhah’s electric,” GM Brett Veach said, eyeing him as a WR5.
The Chiefs, with $12.7 million in cap space, drafted Josh Simmons, Omarr Norman-Lott, Ashton Gillotte, Nohl Williams, Jalen Royals, Jeffrey Bassa, and Brashard Smith. Cuts to Mike Danna and Nikko Remigio opened slots. Briningstool and Badger, thriving in minicamp, edge out Tre Watson and Mac Dalena, leveraging special teams to secure spots.
Chiefs Kingdom buzzes with excitement. With two remaining picks, including No. 226, Kansas City targets secondary depth. Briningstool and Badger, fueled by minicamp momentum, ignite 2025 Super Bowl dreams. Their ris
