The New York Jetsclaimed three players off waivers on Wednesday. Arguably the most intriguing addition was former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Esa Pole. Pole joins the Jets with some exciting developmental potential.
Pole signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after going unselected during the 2025 NFL draft. The Hayward, California native has had an interesting journey.
Pole committed to play college football at Chabot College despite never playing high-school ball. After two impressive campaigns at Chabot, he transferred to Washington State.
Pole entered the draft with a little momentum. The Cougars standout wasn’t credited with allowing a sack at Washington State throughout 2024, making 13 starts at left tackle.
Pole also participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, but ultimately went undrafted.
Chiefs OT Esa Pole had an excellent game. Watch him react and cut off the inside spin here on the Big Bob’s 19-yard reception. pic.twitter.com/XPZYkPw94E
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) August 10, 2025
Pole was terrific for the Chiefs throughout the preseason. Pole concluded the exhibition with an excellent pass-blocking grade of 84.1, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF didn’t tag him with allowing even a single pressure on 49 pass-blocking snaps.
The Jets’ decision to claim Pole wasn’t surprising. They actually hosted him on a top-30 visit throughout the pre-draft process. They likely showed interest via undrafted free agency, but Pole ended up in KC.
The Jets kept both Chuks Okorafor and Max Mitchell on the 53-man roster (for now) behind Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. Pole is starting out as the fifth-string tackle, because Carter Warren was waived as part of 53-man roster cuts. Pole should eventually climb the depth chart and replace either Okorafor and/or Mitchell.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets waiver claims: OT Esa Pole has developmental potential