Key Highlights
- The Kansas City Chiefs signed wide receiver Bub Means to their practice squad on Thursday, Nov. 5, following a team workout.
- The addition comes as Patrick Mahomes and the 5-2 Chiefs look to rebound from back-to-back losses, most recently falling 28-24 to the Denver Broncos.
- Means, a former 2024 fifth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints, brings developmental deep-threat ability but faces the lofty shadow of the explosive production Tyreek Hill once provided the franchise.
Kansas City Adds Wideout Bub Means to Practice Squad Following Recent Skid
The Kansas City Chiefs have added depth to their passing attack by signing wide receiver Bub Means to the practice squad on Thursday, Nov. 5. The transaction followed a formal workout with the team, granting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense another developmental perimeter option. The roster move arrives during an uncharacteristic slump for the Chiefs, who have dropped two consecutive contests—including a narrow 28-24 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 8—moving their record to 5-2 across seven games played.
Mahomes has shouldered significant responsibility amid passing-game inconsistencies, having thrown for 1,795 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions so far this season. The team is aiming to recalibrate its offense quickly ahead of its upcoming matchup, with Kansas City scheduled to host the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 8, at noon CT. The addition of Means provides the Chiefs with an athletic target to evaluate as they navigate receiving corps needs.
Bub Means’ Career Trajectory and Collegiate Production
Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Means brings intriguing physical tools despite a limited professional résumé. During his rookie campaign with New Orleans, he appeared in seven games, recording nine receptions for 118 yards and one touchdown. However, his momentum stalled after an ankle injury sidelined him for the 2025 season. Before landing in Kansas City, Means logged stints with both the Saints and the Cleveland Browns.
Kansas City’s decision to take a flyer on Means largely ties back to the playmaking ability he showcased during his collegiate tenure at Pittsburgh. In 2023, Means pulled in 41 receptions for 721 yards and six touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.6 yards per catch. While that collegiate efficiency highlighted his vertical big-play upside, it has yet to materialize into steady on-field production at the NFL level.
The Looming Shadow of the Tyreek Hill Comparison
Whenever Kansas City looks for deep-threat talent to pair with Mahomes, comparisons to former franchise cornerstone Tyreek Hill inevitably emerge. During his six seasons in Kansas City, Hill established an elite standard, amassing 479 receptions, 6,630 receiving yards, and 56 receiving touchdowns while serving as the premier game-breaker in Mahomes’ arsenal. Hill routinely transformed routine completions into scoring drives with unmatched burst.
With just 118 career NFL receiving yards to his name, Means is far from an established replacement for that level of playmaking. Instead, the comparison underscores the enduring prototype Kansas City continues to pursue for its offensive scheme. As a practice-squad acquisition, Means will first have to earn regular-season snaps and prove his collegiate vertical speed can translate against NFL defensive secondaries before being viewed as a fixture in the lineup.
Why This Matters
The signing highlights Kansas City’s ongoing effort to solidify its receiver rotation as defensive units continue testing Mahomes with varied coverage schemes. With Mahomes showing visible frustration over recent miscues—such as a notable drop from rookie Xavier Worthy—the Chiefs are actively scouting low-risk, high-upside speed on their reserve roster. Integrating Means into the practice squad allows the offensive coaching staff to evaluate his readiness to stretch the field without rushing him into active game-day duty before he masters the playbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Chiefs sign Bub Means?
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Bub Means to their practice squad on Thursday, Nov. 5, after conducting an official workout with the wide receiver.
What are Bub Means’ career NFL statistics?
Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round in 2024, Means has tallied nine receptions for 118 yards and one touchdown across seven career NFL games.
What is Kansas City’s record heading into their next game?
The Chiefs sit at 5-2 after dropping two straight games, including a 28-24 defeat against the Denver Broncos, and next face the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 8, at noon CT.
