The Kansas City Chiefs added depth to their running back room on August 12, signing former Washington Commanders ball carrier Michael Wiley just days ahead of their Week 2 preseason matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The move, announced by Chiefs Senior Team Reporter Matt McMullen on Twitter, comes as Kansas City continues to evaluate potential roster fits ahead of the regular season.
Wiley, a University of Arizona product, entered the NFL in 2024 as an undrafted free agent and spent his rookie year on Washington’s practice squad. Known for his versatility and reliable hands out of the backfield, Wiley was a steady contributor during his five-year collegiate career with the Wildcats. He tallied 1,712 rushing yards on 336 carries while adding 1,150 receiving yards on 123 catches, finding the end zone 28 times—16 via the run and 12 through the air.
His balanced skill set made him a valuable offensive weapon at Arizona, where he consistently displayed the ability to both run between the tackles and stretch defenses as a pass-catching threat. That versatility will likely be his calling card as he works to carve out a role in Kansas City’s crowded backfield, which already features established talent and young prospects competing for limited spots.
Given the timing of his arrival, Wiley faces an uphill climb to earn a place on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster. With just a pair of preseason games remaining, he will need to make a quick impact during practices and limited game reps. However, if he can showcase his dual-threat capabilities and adaptability on special teams, there’s a strong possibility the Chiefs could consider him for a practice squad role—keeping him in the fold as a developmental option.