The Kansas City Chiefs acquired defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a sixth-round pick. This trade is unusual among division rivals and adds depth to the Chiefs’ lineup as Chris Jones, an All-Pro pass rusher, remains in a holdout situation.
The deal was confirmed on Tuesday, shortly before the deadline for teams to finalize their 53-man rosters. An unnamed source familiar with the trade, speaking anonymously due to Farrell’s pending physical, stated that his passing the physical is not anticipated to be a problem. Farrell, a 2022 fourth-round pick for the Raiders, participated in all preseason games.
After the deadline, news emerged that the Chiefs placed Chris Jones on the reserve/did not report list. This exempts him from the roster count and the $19.5 million base salary no longer affects the salary cap.
Jones has been holding out, seeking a more lucrative long-term contract. His absence has incurred substantial fines, as he missed mandatory minicamp, training camp, and three preseason games. On social media, Jones indicated a willingness to hold out until Week 8, the deadline for fulfilling his four-year, $80 million contract.
Even in such a scenario, the Chiefs have the option to apply the franchise tag to Jones next season.
Neil Farrell Jr., standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 325 pounds, addresses a gap in the Chiefs’ defensive line. In the previous season, he recorded 12 tackles and two quarterback hits over nine games. This acquisition aligns with Chiefs’ GM Brett Veach’s trend of reviving high draft picks in Kansas City.
Following the trade, Farrell expressed gratitude on Twitter, saying, “God don’t make mistakes, forever blessed and highly favored.”
Due to Jones’ holdout, the Chiefs faced thin defensive line options. Turk Wharton missed substantial training camp time due to a knee injury, but he’s expected to be ready for the September 7 season opener against the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, defensive end Charles Omenihu will begin serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy.
Among the Chiefs’ Tuesday cuts was Danny Shelton, a defensive tackle who strongly contended for a roster spot.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid commented on the challenge of making cuts, acknowledging the dedication of players through OTAs and training camp, saying, “This is the toughest day… They all can’t be here unfortunately.”
The Carolina Panthers bolstered their wide receiver depth by acquiring Ihmir Smith-Marsette from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 2025 seventh-round draft pick.
Smith-Marsette, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver/returner, had an impressive preseason, ranking second in the league with 195 yards on nine receptions. Originally a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, he recorded an average of 21.7 yards per catch in three games, including two 40-plus yard receptions from Chiefs backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Over the past two seasons, Smith-Marsette spent time with the Vikings and Chicago Bears, tallying five catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.
Panthers coach Frank Reich praised Smith-Marsette’s route-running skills, hands, and intelligence. He emphasized the team’s need for versatile players who can play multiple receiver positions due to their dynamic offensive strategies.
The Panthers are currently dealing with injuries to three key receivers: DJ Chark, Terrace Marshall Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr. Chark, expected to start alongside Adam Thielen, is recovering from a hamstring injury with the aim of being ready for Week 1. Shenault is progressing through the concussion protocol, while Marshall returned to practice after dealing with a back injury.
In addition to the trade, the Panthers made other roster adjustments, including notable cuts. Linebacker Deion Jones, a former Pro Bowler signed earlier this offseason, was released. Jones has an extensive career history with 88 starts, 96 games played, 12 interceptions, and 11 sacks. The Panthers retained three quarterbacks on their roster: Bryce Young (No. 1 draft pick), Matt Corral (backup), and veteran Andy Dalton.
Further roster changes involved the departure of players associated with former coach Matt Rhule’s era, such as wide receiver Shi Smith, cornerbacks Keith Taylor and Stantley Thomas-Oliver, linebacker Brandon Smith, and offensive lineman Deonte Brown.
Right guard Austin Corbett will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list as he continues recovering from a torn ACL. Defensive end Henry Anderson was placed on injured reserve.
Here are the rest of the Tuesday moves done by the Chiefs prior to the NFL’s cut deadline.
Released:
- Kendall Blanton (TE – Missouri)
- Deon Bush (DB – Miami)
- Austin Reiter (C – South Florida)
- Danny Shelton (NT – Washington)
Waived:
- Dicaprio Bootle (DB – Nebraska)
- Ekow Boye-Doe (DB – Kansas State)
- Shane Buechele (QB – Southern Methodist)
- Matt Bushman (TE – Brigham Young)
- Cole Christiansen (LB – Army)
- Anthony Cook (DB – Texas)
- Jerrion Ealy (RB – Mississippi)
- Ty Fryfogle (WR – Indiana)
- Izaiah Gathings (WR – Middle Tennessee)
- Chukwuebuka Godrick (T – No College)
- Juwan Green (WR – Albany, N.Y.)
- Sebastian Gutierrez (T – Minot State)
- Kahlef Hailassie (DB – Western Kentucky)
- Anderson Hardy (T – Appalachian State)
- Phil Hoskins (DT – Kentucky)
- Lamar Jackson (DB – Nebraska)
- Truman Jones (DE – Harvard)
- Joshua Kaindoh (DE – Florida State)
- Darian Kinnard (T – Kentucky)
- Duron Lowe (DB – Liberty)
- Isaiah Norman (DB – Marshall)
- Chris Oladokun (QB – South Dakota State)
- La’Mical Perine (RB – Florida)
- Cornell Powell (WR – Clemson)
- Deneric Prince (RB – Tulsa)
- Ty Scott (WR – Missouri State)
- Reese Taylor (DB – Purdue)
- Chris Williams (DT – Wagner)
- Daniel Wise (DE – Kansas)
Waived, Injured:
- Jerome Carvin (G – Tennessee)
- Olakunle Fatukasi (LB – Rutgers)
- Nikko Remigio (WR – Fresno State)
Traded to Panthers:
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette (WR – Iowa)
Reserve/Did Not Report:
- Chris Jones (DT – Mississippi State)
Acquired Via Trade with Raiders:
- Neil Farrell (DT – Louisiana State)
A flurry of trades and roster cuts unfolded on NFL cutdown day:
Trades:
- Kicker Wil Lutz joins Denver to reunite with coach Sean Payton.
- Eagles acquire tight end Albert Okwuegbunam from the Broncos.
- Veteran kicker Nick Folk moves from New England to Tennessee.
- Defensive end Boogie Bashum, defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr., cornerbacks Noah Igbinoghene and Kelvin Joseph, offensive lineman Dan Feeney and Kendrick Green, and wide receiver/returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette are traded.
Notable Roster Moves:
- Jonathan Taylor stays with the Colts; he’s placed on the physically unable to perform list and will miss the first four games.
- New England releases quarterback Bailey Zappe, who struggled in the preseason despite a 2-0 record as a starter last year.
- The Bengals release QB Trevor Siemian, favoring Jake Browning to back up Joe Burrow.
- Punter Arryn Siposs is released by Philadelphia.
- Green Bay cuts punter Pat O’Donnell.
- The Browns waive kicker Cade York, acquired Dustin Hopkins via trade from the Chargers.
- The 49ers keep Brandon Allen as their third-string QB.
- Miami releases veteran wide receiver Chosen Anderson.
- The Cowboys cut veteran QB Will Grier.
- New Orleans releases veteran cornerback Bradley Roby, linebacker Jaylon Smith, safety Jonathan Abram, and punter Blake Gillikin.
Trades Continued:
- The New York Giants acquire defensive end Boogie Basham from the Buffalo Bills.
- Kansas City Chiefs acquire defensive tackle Neil Farrell from the Raiders and trade wide receiver/returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette to the Panthers.
- Miami’s 2020 first-round pick cornerback Noah Igbinoghene goes to Dallas for cornerback Kelvin Joseph.
- Miami trades offensive lineman Dan Feeney to Chicago for a sixth-round pick.
- Pittsburgh’s Kendrick Green is traded to Houston for a sixth-rounder.
Notable Cuts:
- The Los Angeles Rams release guard Logan Bruss, cornerback Robert Rochell, and defensive lineman Marquise Copeland, among others.
- Cornerback Sam Webb and former starting guard Alex Bars are among the cuts for the Raiders.
- The Ravens cut veteran QB Josh Johnson and place linebacker Tyus Bowser on reserve/NFI.
