Kansas
Kansas City Chiefs may have landed the most athletic UDFA ever — and the rest of the NFL could regret passing on him
The Kansas City Chiefs landed perhaps the most athletic undrafted free agent ever in Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell. If he can unlock his game under new WRs coach Chad O’Shea, the rest of the NFL is going to be kicking themselves.
© Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Kansas City Chiefs have already begun finalizing the first iteration of their 90-man offseason roster with multiple undrafted free agent deals following the 2026 NFL Draft. They managed quite the haul during the draft, but they’re now in the process of supplementing it and filling gaps on the roster.
One of the players they brought in, Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell, is a prospect that I would’ve been ready to take at pick No. 109 based on the sheer athletic upside. At 6-foot-5 and 216 pounds, he’s one of the freakiest athletes in this class. The fact that he didn’t get drafted and landed with the Chiefs should keep opposing NFL teams up at night.
Chiefs WR Jeff Caldwell might be the most athletic UDFA of all time
It’s not hyperbole when I say that Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell may be the most athletic undrafted free agent in NFL history. His performance at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine resulted in a 98.9 A to Z Sports Athletic Composite. He recorded 97th percentile scores in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump.
To contextualize just how athletic Caldwell is, look at the 23-year-old’s measurables next to those of all-time greats like Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson. Andy Reid might say, “This man is a couple of cheeseburgers away from greatness.”
Caldwell is underdeveloped physically, but only slightly. His size and length, combined with his speed and explosiveness, are incredibly rare. His 1.48s 10-yard split at the combine was faster than Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy’s (1.49s).
Chad O’Shea has to help Caldwell put it all together in Kansas City
Caldwell is still unlocking new layers to his game. He was a player on the rise during his four-year career at Lindenwood, which ultimately led to his transfer to the Bearcats. Caldwell recorded 32 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns with Cincinnati in 2025. Some elements of his game were elevated, while others fell a bit flat.
The details of being a polished NFL receiver need work. He struggled with drops in 2025. Play strength and contact were problems, which isn’t something you’d expect at his size. His release packages were sometimes flat. Receiver coaches will tell you that he takes too many steps to get in and out of his breaks. They’ll also get on him when it comes to letting the ball into his frame.
Ultimately, this is the exact type of player that the Chiefs brought O’Shea in to develop. And if they can manage that over the next few seasons, the NFL will have a whole lot of regrets.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A new mural under the Kansas Avenue Memorial Bridge will be unveiled Thursday afternoon in North Topeka.
A ceremony celebrating the mural will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2 under the bridge near Veterans Park, 131 N.E. Laurent St.
The finished mural, titled “Reflections of North Topeka,” is the culmination of a project that brought together artists, students, volunteers, local leaders and community members to create a lasting tribute to the history and spirit of North Topeka.
“Over the past several months, the bridge has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery that tells the story of our community,” organizers said in a news release. “From the area’s Indigenous roots and the Kaw Nation to the development of Eugene, the growth of North Topeka, and the revitalization of today’s NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, the mural celebrates the people, places, and events that shaped our community.
“What makes this mural truly special is the community behind it. More than 90 volunteers helped paint this project, proving that when people come together with a shared vision, incredible things can happen.”
The celebration will include:
- The official unveiling of the completed mural
- A brief program with remarks from the mural team
- A ceremonial ribbon cutting
- An opportunity to meet the artists and learn about the stories behind the artwork
- Complimentary refreshments
Led by Project Manager and NOTO Arts Administrator Staci Schnacker, lead artist Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, and supporting artists DeAna Morrison, Jordan E. Brooks, and Pradeep K. Bangalore, “this mural is more than public art,” organizers said — “it’s a celebration of the people, places, and history that make North Topeka unique.
This project was supported in part through the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsConnect Topeka, the City of Topeka, Shawnee County Parks + Recreation, and many other community partners, businesses, artists, and volunteers.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas State Fair says Saturday, Sept. 19, will be a hard-hitting night of rock ‘n’ roll, with a three-band lineup for this year’s Rock Fest at the Fair.
From Ashes to New will share the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand with Saliva and Saving Abel. The concert kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
From Ashes to New
Blending hard rock, hip-hop, electronic and alternative rock, Ashes to New has built a loyal fan base with songs like “Barely Breathing,” “Die For You” and “Drag Me,” with the latter reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Charts in May. “Die For You” was used to launch an anti-bullying campaign in 2018.
Saliva
Saliva saw its first taste of mainstream success with 2001’s “Every Six Seconds,” which featured its breakout hit “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award. The band has continued forward since the 2021 death of founding guitarist Wayne Swinny, with Bobby Amaru as frontman.
Saving Abel
Southern rockers Saving Abel launched in a Memphis suburb in 2004. The band’s multiplatinum hit “Addicted,” from its 2008 self-titled album, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Reserved tickets go on sale starting Thursday starting at $45 for the grandstand and up to $415 for a VIP reserved table for six that includes two drink tickets, complimentary appetizers before the show and early entrance.
You can find full details at kansasstatefair.gov or call 620-669-3618.
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