A rookie with one tackle this season, cut loose by the Texans. With the trade deadline just weeks away, that’s who the Chiefs went out and got. On the surface, it looks like a head-scratcher. But if you’ve followed Aiden Fisher’s career, Kansas City’s plan starts to make sense.

“The #Chiefs are signing rookie linebacker Aiden Fisher to their practice squad. He was released by the Texans on Saturday and cleared waivers yesterday. Per @J810Anderson,” Arrowhead Corner posted on X.

Now, Fisher was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 243rd overall pick. However, the Texans waived him alongside Collin Wright to make room for linebacker Henry To’oTo’o and safety Ja’Marcus Ingram. That’s when the Chiefs entered the picture, and so far it looks like a smart move.

You see, Aiden Fisher was part of the Indiana team that went undefeated last season, and Fisher was the heart of that defense, racking up 213 tackles and 6 sacks in just two years with the team. His efforts turned the Hoosiers into the second-best run defense, along with the second-lowest points conceded per game. But that’s not even what made makes him a great addition. 

While his numbers spoke for themselves ahead of the draft, analysts were particularly impressed by his pre-snap ability to read plays and make adjustments accordingly. 

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described him as a , “Mike linebacker who can run the defense as an extension of his coordinator,” who was, “well-built with leadership and football character that are praised by teammates and coaches” and “has the instincts and feel of an NFL player.”

These adjustments are just what the Chiefs need, especially in light of their somewhat terrible defensive record. Before going up against the Chargers, the team had made it through five weeks of the NFL without recording a single sack.

But even worse were how there pass rush numbers looked, as Nate Taylor of ESPN wrote. “Entering this week, the Chiefs ranked 27th in pass rush win rate, generating pressure by beating the opponent’s pass protection within 2.5 seconds just 45% of the time. The concern for the Chiefs after their most recent game, a comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders, is that quarterback Kirk Cousins, who they pressured on just 34.6% of his dropbacks, was the least mobile passer they have faced so far this season.”

That’s why Fisher’s addition makes sense to the team. We’re not calling him the solution to the team’s pass rush problems. After all, he’s a rookie who has had limited time in the NFL. But even then, he’s a player who has been known to put in the effort, as he would explain back when signed with the Texans. 

“I’m just going to come in. I’m going to work my butt off. I’m going to be the hardest worker in the room. Whatever role you give me, I’m going to embrace it and I’m going to run with it. And I’m going to do my best to be the best at it.”

More importantly for the Chiefs, Fisher knows how to adapt to changing defensive schemes. During his time in college, he followed Curt Cignetti from James Madison University to the Indiana Hoosiers. He stuck to his fundamentals, and that helped him make it through college football. 

“That’s kind of the story of my life. Nothing’s been given to me easy. I’ve worked for everything that I’ve had. I’ve worked harder than anybody. I put more time in than anybody. Having that transition once already — to go to a new place where I don’t know anybody and I have to gain respect, prove why I belong — has helped me a lot. And I’m ready to do it again.

I have no doubt in my mind I’ll be successful at it — to be able to put my head down and be as humble as possible and just hungry to learn, to work, and impact the football team to win some football games.”

For Fisher, the practice squad offers a fresh start and a chance to stay in the league, but how the team would use him depends on their roster plans. They could still elevate him to the squad thrice in the season and see how he fares, but a spot in the 53-man roster could be a long way out.

That’s because the Chiefs waived Cam Jones from the 53-man roster and have officially opened the 21-day window for Cooper McDonald to return from injured reserve, so the position looks quite different heading into Week 7.

McDonald, a second-year linebacker, hurt his knee in Week 1 against the Broncos. After sitting out four games, McDonald was designated to return on Tuesday. That move starts a 21-day window to activate him onto the 53-man roster.

The Chiefs don’t have to wait that long, so McDonald could even be back this week to face Seattle.