Jack Pyburn Claimed by Chiefs After Being Waived by Bucs, Will Stay in NFL Amid LSU Buzz

The Kansas City Chiefs added some help off the edge on Monday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team claimed Jack Pyburn off waivers after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and decided to stay in the NFL rather than attempt to return to LSU:

Pyburn, 22, was signed by the Bucs as an undrafted free agent this offseason. He spent his first three seasons at Florida, posting 80 tackles (five for loss), one sack, an interception and a forced fumble in 29 games.

He then transferred to LSU for the 2025 season, posting 52 tackles (5.5 for loss), two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed across 12 contests.

He impressed during the preseason this summer, posting four sacks.

Pyburn was among the players reportedly considering a return to LSU after the NCAA instituted its new eligibility rules this offseason, which grants five years of eligibility across five consecutive seasons. The rule didn't grandfather in fourth-year seniors from this past year who had used up their eligibility under the previous rules, however, and a number of athletes in various states issued lawsuits attempting to legally gain a fifth year of eligibility.

Pyburn joined 30 other athletes in Louisiana in such a lawsuit and they won a temporary restraining order that would allow them to play this upcoming season, though with the stipulation that they terminated their pro contracts and paid back any money already earned. In response, the Power 4 conferences issued statements that such players were banned from playing for their schools, likely to be met with opposition litigation.

Pyburn is seemingly removing himself from that fight, however, choosing to instead join the Chiefs.