Kansas City's passing attack has struggled for two consecutive seasons. While Patrick Mahomes wasn't at his best in 2024, the wide receiver group was clearly the bigger issue in 2023.
One potential solution to the 2023 receiver problem was then-second-year pro Justyn Ross. In the season opener against Detroit, he managed just one catch for six yards across five receiving snaps. His best performance came in Week 5 against Minnesota, where he recorded two catches for a career-high 28 yards on six snaps—but also dropped two passes.
However, his season quickly unraveled. Ross's year effectively ended in October 2023 when he was arrested for an alleged domestic incident. He was subsequently placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List and then suspended. Though he returned on Christmas Day against the Raiders (one catch, two yards) and dressed for the regular season finale in Los Angeles (two catches, 17 yards on 26 snaps), he didn't have a target in the playoffs.
It's hard to picture a path forward for Justyn Ross to make the Chiefs' roster.
The 2024 season brought no improvement. Ross dressed for just two games in November without recording a single catch, which was particularly disappointing given the Chiefs' injuries at the position. Rashee Rice tore his ACL in Week 4, and Hollywood Brown missed the first 14 games of the regular season.
Heading into the 2025 season, Ross's time in Kansas City could be coming to an end. The Chiefs' depth chart has become too crowded for a wideout who hasn't produced in three seasons. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Jalen Royals are locks for the final roster, while Nikko Remigio has a strong path thanks to his return ability. That's already five players ahead of Ross.
JuJu Smith-Schuster's veteran presence and blocking ability give him an edge, while Tyquan Thornton and UDFA rookie Elijhah Badger have generated buzz throughout the past several weeks. Ross faces competition from at least eight players for what will likely be six or seven receiver spots. Skyy Moore is also currently on the roster, but that's another fringe roster discussion.
Ross's only potential advantage lies in special teams contributions. He logged 77 special teams snaps in 2023 but zero in 2024, so proving himself in that area during August would be crucial.
Entering his fourth NFL season, the burden is squarely on Ross to prove he deserves a roster spot—and it's an uphill battle. His odds of making the final roster aren't zero, but they're not good either. If he can develop into a special teams ace, he might have an edge over players like Badger and Thornton. Otherwise, he's likely headed for the practice squad or free agency.
