Sometimes the toughest goodbyes in football don’t come under the bright lights — they happen quietly, in a locker room corner, when no one’s watching. Malik Herring knows that feeling all too well. After five long seasons of grinding, fighting for every snap, and wearing the Kansas City Chiefs logo with pride, his name was finally called last week — not to take the field, but to pack his locker.
When news broke that Kansas City had released defensive end Malik Herring, most fans barely blinked. That’s the nature of the NFL — headlines belong to stars, not to the grinders who quietly hold a team together behind the scenes. But inside the Chiefs’ locker room, it hit differently. Herring wasn’t just another name on the roster. He was a heartbeat.
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 2021, Herring’s path to the NFL was anything but easy. He joined Kansas City after suffering a major knee injury during his senior year — the kind that ends careers before they even start. But Herring didn’t give up. He rehabbed. He waited. He worked.
And when his chance came, he made it count. Over five seasons with the Chiefs, Herring appeared in 28 games, recording 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a recovery. Those numbers won’t make national headlines, but they represent something deeper: resilience. Every stat tells the story of a man who refused to quit, even when the odds said he should.
For teammates, Herring was more than just a defensive end — he was energy. “He’s one of those guys who never complains,” one veteran said. “No matter what role you gave him, he gave you 100 percent.”
That’s why the release stung. It wasn’t about performance or attitude. It was business. With Mike Pennel returning to the active roster, someone had to go. And as so often happens in the NFL, it was the quiet fighter who drew the short straw.
The decision doesn’t erase his impact, though. In fact, Herring’s story continues — he was re-signed to Kansas City’s practice squad, a move that keeps him within reach of the dream. It’s a second chance, a lifeline. If an edge rusher goes down in the coming weeks, Herring could find himself back under the lights — ready, waiting, and hungry.
That’s what makes him special. Herring’s career has never been about fame. It’s about heart. In a world where players often chase headlines, he’s built a legacy on consistency, humility, and quiet strength.
The Chiefs’ updated 2025 practice squad now lists him among names like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Brodric Martin, and Tyreke Smith — a mix of veterans, rising stars, and those still fighting for a place in the league. For Herring, that’s exactly where he belongs: among those who still believe in the grind.
As for rookie wide receiver Jimmy Holiday, who was released to make room for Herring’s return, the business side of football showed its cold truth once again. Holiday impressed during training camp, and many expected him to earn a long-term spot. But roster math is unforgiving. Seven receivers on the 53-man roster meant there was no room left — even for potential.
It’s easy to forget how human these moments are. Fans see numbers and names, but behind each transaction is someone who sacrificed years, who dreamed big, who waited for one more call. For Herring, that call might still come.
He’s played only two games so far this season, recording no stats — but to those who know the grind, that doesn’t matter. It’s not about the box score. It’s about staying ready when the opportunity comes.
As one Chiefs assistant reportedly said: “You can cut Malik today, but he’ll show up tomorrow like nothing happened. That’s who he is.”
And maybe that’s why fans, when they see his name on the practice squad list, can’t help but hope. Hope that the story isn’t over. Hope that the man who’s quietly given everything might finally get something back.
Because sometimes, the greatest comebacks don’t start on Sundays — they start on Mondays, when no one’s watching, and you decide to fight again.
