×

Chiefs waive QB Jake Haener in series of roster moves

By Thomson Reuters May 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM

The Kansas City Chiefs waived quarterback Jake Haener as part of a series of roster moves ​on Monday.

The team also cut defensive ‌end Ethan Hurkett and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens and signed three free agents: wide receiver Xavier Loyd, defensive back Marlen Sewell and ‌offensive ​tackle Kahlil Benson.

Haener, ⁠27, was the Chiefs’ ⁠first notable free-agent signing this offseason on Feb. 2, brought in to add depth while two-time NFL MVP ​Patrick Mahomes recovers from ACL surgery. In March, the Chiefs signed veteran ⁠quarterback and former first-round ⁠draft pick Justin Fields as ​Mahomes’ backup.

Haener was a fourth-round draft pick ​by New Orleans in 2023. He ‌appeared in eight games (one start) for the Saints in 2024, completing 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards with ⁠one touchdown and one interception. The Saints released him in January.

Kansas City drafted LSU quarterback ⁠Garrett ‌Nussmeier in the seventh round ⁠of last month’s draft and ​also ‌has Chris Oladokun on the ​roster. Oladokun ⁠took over after Mahomes’ injury last year and completed 35 of 55 passes for 235 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in three games (two starts).

–Field ​Level Media