No One Expected This: Andy Reid's Heartfelt Goodbye Inside Arrowhead — Emotional Roster Change Is Uniting the Chiefs
The move that drew the most attention came when the Chiefs released rookie wide receiver Jimmy Holiday from their practice squad. Holiday, an undrafted rookie from Louisiana Tech, had impressed everyone during training camp and preseason — tallying 60 receiving yards and 56 punt return yards while earning a spot on the practice squad. But with the trade deadline behind them, Kansas City needed to open a spot to reinforce its defensive line, and Holiday was the unfortunate casualty of roster math.
Inside the quiet walls of Arrowhead, Head Coach Andy Reid and General Manager Brett Veach called Holiday in for one of the toughest meetings of the year. Those in the room described it as raw, honest, and full of emotion. Reid spoke from the heart, offering words that perfectly captured the Chiefs’ culture:
“It’s never easy to say goodbye. You gave everything you had — and that’s what makes you family forever. The roster may change, but the bond never does.”
That single moment — a veteran coach comforting a young player chasing his dream — has resonated deeply across Chiefs Kingdom.
Soon after, the Chiefs re-signed defensive lineman Malik Herring to the practice squad. Herring, who had been cut from the 53-man roster to make room for veteran Mike Pennel, returned as a depth piece familiar with Steve Spagnuolo’s defense — a move that reinforces Kansas City’s playoff focus.
Meanwhile, rookie UDFA Mac Dalena found a new opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks, another example of how quickly NFL careers can shift in the blink of an eye.
While these transactions might look small on paper, they tell a bigger story about the Chiefs’ identity. This is a team built on more than wins and losses — it’s built on trust, character, and connection. As Reid’s words remind everyone: in Kansas City, family doesn’t end when the roster changes.













