Chiefs Release Wide Receiver Justyn Ross
The Kansas City Chiefs are moving on from wide receiver Justyn Ross. After four seasons with the team, the former Clemson standout is gone. Ross reportedly asked for his release ahead of the 2025 training camp. The team granted the request earlier this week, per NFL Network reports. He had bounced between the practice squad and active roster since 2022. His career in Kansas City never lived up to early expectations.
Ross arrived with high hopes after a standout college freshman season. He exploded onto the national scene during Clemson’s 2018 championship run. A spinal injury in college stalled that momentum before the 2020 season. After going undrafted, he signed with Kansas City in the 2022 offseason. Unfortunately, injuries and off-field issues derailed any shot at a breakthrough. Now, Ross will seek a new opportunity somewhere else in the league.
Justyn Ross Never Gained Ground in Kansas City
Kansas City gave Justyn Ross every chance to earn a consistent roster spot. Despite that, he was limited to just 12 games across three seasons. Ross caught six passes for 53 yards during his Chiefs tenure. Much of his time was spent on the practice squad or injured reserve. The team elevated him briefly in 2023, but usage remained extremely limited. Even in preseason action, Ross failed to generate meaningful production.
His 2023 campaign also included off-field concerns that hurt his progress. Ross served time on the Commissioner’s Exempt List after an October arrest. Though reinstated, he never reclaimed his early momentum in the organization. By 2024, he was no longer a key part of their plans. Kansas City declined to promote him after training camp, opting for others. His final snap came with no targets or stats in limited action.
College Hype Never Translated to NFL Production
Justyn Ross was once seen as one of college football’s most explosive receivers. As a Clemson freshman, he helped dominate both Notre Dame and Alabama. He totaled over 300 yards in the 2018 College Football Playoff alone. That effort, alongside Trevor Lawrence, led Clemson to a national championship. Many believed Ross was a first-round lock heading into his sophomore year. However, that momentum vanished quickly after injuries and medical red flags surfaced.
A spinal condition cost him the entire 2020 season at Clemson. Though he returned in 2021, his numbers were far less eye-catching. He entered the 2022 NFL Draft but failed to hear his name called. The Chiefs took a flier, hoping their culture could spark a turnaround. Unfortunately, it never materialized, and time finally ran out in Kansas City. Now, Ross hopes another team offers him one final NFL shot.
Final Thoughts
Justyn Ross’s departure creates an open slot ahead of Chiefs training camp. No immediate replacement has been announced by the front office yet. Kansas City continues to tweak its roster heading into the 2025 season. The team clearly preferred to invest in younger, more reliable options. Ross’s release signals a clean break for both sides moving forward. His future in the league now depends on finding the right opportunity.
The NFL journey remains uncertain for a once-promising wide receiver prospect. Ross flashed elite ability but never returned to his freshman form again. He now joins a long list of hyped players derailed by circumstances. Whether due to injury, inconsistency, or off-field trouble, his chances dwindled. Kansas City gave him time, but patience eventually wore thin this summer. Ross will now look elsewhere to continue chasing his football dream.
