Chiefs Make Surprising Practice Squad Swap: Christiansen Out, Presley In

The Kansas City Chiefs made headlines on Wednesday, September 11, 2025, with a practice squad move that raised eyebrows across the NFL community. In what seemed like a routine transaction, the defending champions released linebacker Cole Christiansen from their practice squad and re-signed wide receiver Hal Presley in his place. While practice squad moves typically fly under the radar, this particular swap has sparked discussions about the team’s strategic direction and roster priorities.

The Key Players in This Transaction

Cole Christiansen: The Veteran Departure

Cole Christiansen’s release marks the end of a notable tenure with the Chiefs organization. The 26-year-old linebacker from Army has been a familiar face bouncing between Kansas City’s active roster and practice squad over the past three seasons.

Standing 6’1″ and weighing 230 pounds, Christiansen carved out a valuable role as a special teams contributor and defensive depth piece. In 2024, he appeared in a career-high nine games for the Chiefs, logging 141 snaps on special teams and recording six tackles during the preseason. Over his three seasons with Kansas City, he played in 15 total games, consistently proving his worth as a reliable role player.

What made Christiansen valuable was his versatility and readiness. The Chiefs frequently elevated him from the practice squad for game days, particularly when they needed additional special teams coverage or linebacker depth due to injuries. His military background at Army instilled the discipline and work ethic that Chiefs coaches valued, making his release all the more surprising.

Hal Presley: The Returning Prospect

Hal Presley Jr.’s return to the practice squad represents the Chiefs’ continued belief in his potential as a hidden gem. The 23-year-old wide receiver from Baylor has had a roller-coaster journey to this point in his professional career.

At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, Presley brings a mix of size, speed, and athleticism that the coaching staff believes could pay dividends in the future. During his college career at Baylor, Presley showed flashes of big-play ability, particularly as a vertical threat who could stretch the field. Though he went undrafted, his combination of athleticism and work ethic has kept him on the radar of NFL teams.

Why the Chiefs Made This Move

For the Chiefs, this transaction may be more about roster balance than anything else. The team’s linebacker group currently has solid depth, led by Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal. On the other hand, the wide receiver position remains a work in progress. With young talents like Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Skyy Moore still developing—and veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling gone—the Chiefs are clearly looking to keep as many pass-catching options in the pipeline as possible.

Adding Presley back to the practice squad gives the Chiefs another developmental piece who could be elevated if injuries strike or if the coaching staff wants to experiment with different offensive looks. His physical tools make him intriguing, and in an offense led by Patrick Mahomes, hidden talents often get the chance to shine.

👉 Bottom line: This swap might look minor on the surface, but it reflects the Chiefs’ ongoing strategy to stay flexible and prioritize offensive depth. Losing a steady contributor like Christiansen is surprising, but bringing back a young receiver like Presley suggests the team is already planning for both the present and the future.

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