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Former Viking Cut by Chiefs before Playoffs

By Dustin Baker

Ex-Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Lynch will not be a part of the Kansas City Chiefs roster for the champion’s playoff run.

Former Viking Cut by Chiefs before Playoffs

The Chiefs dropped Lynch from the practice squad on Tuesday, and unless they reverse course in the next week and a half, Lynch will miss out on a chance at winning a Super Bowl.

Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports.

KSHB41’s Nick Jacobs tweeted, “The Chiefs have signed WR Montrell Washington back to the practice squad and terminated the contract of LB Blake Lynch.”

Lynch will hit the open market and be free to sign anywhere in the NFL. The former Viking lasted just a week in Kansas City.

Without Lynch, these are the Chiefs current off-ball linebackers:

  • Nick Bolton
  • Drue Tranquill
  • Leo Chenal
  • Cam Jones
  • Swayze Bozeman (Practice Squad)
  • Cole Christiansen (Practice Squad)
  • Jack Cochrane (IR)

Here’s Lynch’s NFL resume through five seasons:

  • Minnesota Vikings (2020–2021)
  • Arizona Cardinals (2022–2023)
  • Los Angeles Chargers (2023)
  • Seattle Seahawks (2024)
  • Los Angeles Chargers (2024)
  • Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (2024)
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. HISTORICAL ARCHIVE, MINIMUM USAGE.

The Vikings found Lynch as an undrafted free agent before the pandemic season in 2020, and he stayed on the roster for a smidgen over two seasons (if one counts the 2022 preseason). In total, Lynch played 20 games for the Vikings while starting seven.

He’s notched 57 total tackles, three passes defended, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a QB hit since 2020.

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

The Baylor alumnus was on the Vikings’ roster bubble in 2022 but fell short to rookie Brian Asamoah and Troy Dye. Lynch could’ve joined Minnesota’s 2022 practice squad, in theory, but the Vikings chose rookie linebacker William Kwenkeu instead.

Lynch actually racked up six tackles in the Chiefs’ loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He was likely signed in the first place because Kansas City knew it would rest all starters during the contest.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.

NFL free agency is about two months away.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

Tags: Blake Lynch