Former Chiefs UDFA gives message to prospects ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
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- Jaaron Hayek signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 after rookie minicamp.
- Hayek was waived after an injury settlement and did not play in an NFL regular‑season game
- On first day of 2026 NFL Draft, Hayek urged prospects to keep working if undrafted.
The odds of any football player being picked in the NFL Draft are slim.
The odds of signing an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent are even slimmer.
But former Chiefs wide receiver Jaaron Hayek defied those odds when he signed with the team in 2024 on the 90-man offseason roster after rookie minicamp.
But his dream was short-lived. He was waived and reached an injury settlement before playing in a game and wasn’t picked up by another team. The Villanova alum was brought into last year’s rookie minicamp but wasn’t signed.
Even though he didn’t play in an NFL game, Hayek considers his story a success.
The Wayne, New Jersey native was a three-star recruit, choosing Villanova over several other FCS teams and a few FBS offers from Temple, Cincinnati, Rutgers and Buffalo. He considers earning an NFL contract as a UDFA a success in itself.
On the morning of the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft, Hayek shared his story on social media, encouraging draft prospects to keep working if they don’t get drafted.
“Draft weekend is here … you dream of hearing your name called your whole life. But for 99% of people that’s not reality,” Hayek said.
He is currently an NIL agent and medical sales rep in New Jersey. The Chiefs also hired Hayek’s college wide receivers coach Nate Pagan to the same position this offseason.
“257 picks come and go,” Hayek continued. “You wait for a UDFA call that doesn’t come. Frustrated, confused, feeling sorry. You receive ONE phone call from the reigning (Super Bowl) Champs for a mini camp invite.
“Check in, take a look at a 75-man tryout roster. The doubt starts to creep in yet again, thoughts of this being impossible. Then you remember the only person in control of your thoughts & performance ... is you. It’s you vs you. What was done in the dark your whole life finally comes to light.”
“3 days later I signed a contract to become a player in the (NFL). The dream didn’t become a reality in those 3 days. It became a reality when I made the decision to never stop believing in myself since I was 5 years old, through every loss, injury, setback. “Believe in yourself today & every day, you can go and become anything you want in this life.”
The Chiefs have nine picks in this year’s draft, including two first-round picks. They routinely look to UDFAs to become special-teams assets and depth pieces.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 12:52 PM.
