Cutdown day is always brutal in the NFL, but sometimes the pain goes far beyond the football field. One young wide receiver in Kansas City just learned how cruel life can be, both on and off the roster sheet.
The Chiefs had to finalize their 53-man squad, trimming away promising rookies who showed flashes but couldn’t survive the numbers game. For one undrafted talent, the disappointment of being waived was only the beginning of his heartbreak.
He came into training camp with hope, fighting for a depth role in a loaded wide receiver room. But when the news came down, another blow landed moments later — his girlfriend decided to walk away too.
Mac Dalena, an undrafted rookie from Fresno State, revealed that the day he signed with Kansas City was also the day his relationship began. “The day I signed with the Chiefs was the day she said yes to being my girlfriend — it felt like the best day of my life. But the day I was waived by the Chiefs, she walked away too. To lose them both on the same day… I’ll never forget that kind of heartbreak,” he admitted.
Dalena had put together a breakout senior season in college, tallying 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns while becoming one of the most reliable receivers in the Mountain West. His speed and sharp route-running gave him a shot, but competition in Kansas City’s crowded WR room proved too steep.
The Chiefs ultimately kept established names like Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, and Xavier Worthy, along with other younger pieces who made bigger preseason impressions. Dalena’s three catches for 45 yards weren’t enough to force his way in.
Still, fans who followed his story online expressed shock at the double heartbreak. Many sympathized, saying it showed how quickly fortunes can change for rookies who bet everything on a shot at the NFL.
For now, Dalena waits to see if Kansas City adds him to the practice squad or if another team takes a chance. What’s certain is that cutdown day left scars deeper than just a roster decision — it left one young man without both his team and his partner.