The Kansas City Chiefs trimmed down their roster to 53 players on Sunday, and waived offensive tackle Esa Pole in what has been described as a ‘stunning’ decision.Just months ago, the 6-foot-7, 319-pound lineman was championed by many in Chiefs Kingdom as the next big thing.The Chiefs trimmed their roster on Sunday, and Pole didn’t make the cutGettyWhen the Chiefs released Jawaan Taylor for salary cap relief before the start of free agency, the assumption was that Pole would compete with veteran Jaylon Moore at right tackle.But now the second-year star finds himself missing out on Kansas City’s 53-man roster, with his future uncertain.However, Pole is now heading to the Washington Commanders’ practice squad after their decision to place starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve.That move opened up a spot for a lineman and Pole has seemingly filled that void in Washington.Chiefs decision to cut Esa Pole questionedThe decision to waive Pole was immediately questioned by many on social media, with some suggesting it’s a blow to franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is returning from a serious injury.“A stunner: The Chiefs released OT Esa Pole, a source tells The Star,” Kansas City sports columnist, Sam McDowell, posted Sunday.NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.“With the obvious tackle issues the Chiefs still clearly have, moving off of Esa Pole makes so little sense,” another fan wrote on X.“Esa Pole might have had the most dramatic stock drop of any Chiefs player in the last year,” a third said.“Surprising move after being told he would have a shot at the starting RT spot at the beginning of the offseason,” a fourth said.“Esa Pole is the second best OT on this team. They are gonna get Mahomes destroyed out there if they play anyone below him,” a fifth recently claimed.Esa Pole pushed out by big preseason Chiefs tradePole joined the Chiefs as a free agent out of Washington State, after he was passed over in the 2025 NFL Draft.He had a strong preseason 12 months ago, but was cut regardless, and claimed by the New York Jets as Kansas City failed to stash him on their practice squad.Pole was signed by the Chiefs after going undrafted in 2025GettySome fans have shared worries about a lack of depth on the O-lineGettyNew York then waived Pole in October, and the Chiefs brought him back.He made his NFL debut in December 2025, and featured for the remainder of the season at left tackle, as the team dealt with injuries.Pole was by no means perfect down the stretch as the Chiefs struggled to a 6-11 finish, but many assumed he’d shown enough to keep a roster spot for 2026, and there will little noise across the offseason.However, on cut deadline day, Kansas City bolstered their offensive line by acquiring rookie offensive tackle Diego Pounds in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.The Chiefs sent Baltimore a 2028 sixth-round pick as part of the deal.