Chiefs Acquire Guard Joshua Ezeudu from Giants Ahead of Roster-Cut Deadline

The Kansas City Chiefs are sending a 2028 seventh-round draft pick to the New York Giants for offensive lineman Joshua “Josh” Ezeudu, a 26-year-old swing guard/tackle, as the league-wide cut-down deadline approaches.

Newsweek

Kansas City entered the 2026 preseason with injuries to right guard Trey Smith and left tackle Josh Simmons, prompting a need for interior reinforcement.

Grading the trade: Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach addresses major roster need with prudent move ahead of 53-man roster cuts

• August 25 2026: Chiefs announce the trade, delivering the 2028 seventh-round pick to New York for Ezeudu.

USA Today

• August 30: NFL teams must finalize 53-man rosters.

Sports Illustrated

• September 14: Kansas City opens the regular season against the Denver Broncos.

5 position groups Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach must try to upgrade via trade or waiver wire during 53-man roster cuts

• Career production: 33 regular-season games, 10 starts with the Giants.

Newsweek

• Physical profile: 6-ft-4, 308 lb.

Sports Illustrated

• Draft pedigree: No. 67 overall, 2022 NFL Draft (third round).

KCTV5

• 2024 performance: 136 snaps at left tackle, 28 at left guard; PFF overall grade 62.7 (run 68.0, pass 62.0).

Sports Illustrated

• Salary: Reported as a one-year deal around $1.1–$1.3 million.

Grading the trade: Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach addresses major roster need with prudent move ahead of 53-man roster cuts

Assistant GM Mike Bradway said any acquisition must have alignment across personnel and coaching staff. GM Brett Veach framed the move as a direct response to interior-line depth concerns, noting the trade “clearly indicates” the front office is not satisfied with the current depth chart.

Sports Illustrated

• “There's got to be buy-in from the personnel side and, obviously, the coaches,” — Mike Bradway, assistant GM

Sports Illustrated

Adding a versatile lineman like Ezeudu gives Kansas City a contingency against injuries and helps curb penalties from inexperienced interior play. Trading a late-round future pick shows the Chiefs are prioritizing immediate roster stability to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

USA Today

• Salary figure: Sources cite $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the one-year contract.

Newsweek

• 2025 participation: Some reports say Ezeudu missed the entire 2025 season on IR; others note he has not appeared in a game since 2024.

USA Today

• Giants’ perspective: No public comment beyond acknowledgment of receiving the seventh-round pick.

Newsweek