Peyton Hendershot: From Undrafted to Uncertainty
Peyton Hendershot’s journey in the NFL has been anything but conventional. Undrafted out of Indiana in 2022, he secured a spot with the Dallas Cowboys, making 25 appearances over two seasons. Primarily serving as a blocker and special teams contributor, Hendershot’s offensive production was modestโ15 receptions for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
In August 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired Hendershot in a trade with the Cowboys, sending a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick in return. This move was seen as a potential step toward developing a successor to the legendary Travis Kelce. However, Hendershot’s time with the Chiefs has been marked by inconsistency. After being waived in September, he rejoined the practice squad and was later promoted to the active roster in November following an injury to rookie tight end Jared Wiley. Despite these opportunities, Hendershot’s impact remained limited.
He played a combined 36 offensive snaps and 51 special teams reps over four games before being placed on injured reserve due to a calf injury. He was activated in late December and participated in the Chiefs’ playoff run to Super Bowl LIX.
Entering the 2025 offseason, Hendershot faced further challenges. The Chiefs opted not to offer him a restricted free agent tender, allowing him to explore opportunities elsewhere.
This decision came amid the team’s efforts to strengthen their roster, including the addition of veteran tight end Robert Tonyan and undrafted rookies Jake Briningstool and Tre Watson. ([KC Kingdom][6], [The US Sun][7])
As of May 2025, Hendershot remains unsigned, highlighting the competitive nature of the NFL and the challenges faced by players striving to secure a consistent role.
While his tenure with the Chiefs was brief, it underscored the team’s commitment to evaluating and developing talent, even if that talent doesn’t always find a long-term spot on the roster. For Hendershot, the future remains uncertain, but his resilience and adaptability will be crucial as he seeks to continue his professional football career.