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[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/19: Improving pass rush is Chiefs’ top offseason priority

The latest​

2026 NFL offseason: Free agents, draft notes, predictions | ESPN

Kansas City Chiefs

2025 record: 6-11
Final FPI ranking: No. 20
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$58.4 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 9

What is their top offseason priority? Improve the pass rush. The Chiefs must find an above-average pass rusher to put alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. In past years, they have prioritized improving the offensive line. This year, that focus should shift to Steve Spagnuolo’s unit either through free agency or with their first-round pick.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Convince tight end Travis Kelce to return. The odds might not be in the Chiefs’ favor, but he is still productive and someone Patrick Mahomes trusts over any other pass catcher. A reasonable one-year contract could lead to Kelce returning to the roster for Mahomes’ return following his recovery from a left knee injury. — Nate Taylor

Mecole Hardman scored TD for Bills on an iconic Chiefs Super Bowl play | Kansas City Star

Because of injuries, Hardman was elevated Friday to the Bills active roster, and he made an immediate impact Saturday in Buffalo’s Divisional playoff game at Denver. Hardman caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen late in the first quarter, and it looked familiar to Chiefs fans. The play the Bills ran appeared to be the same as the Chiefs’ game-winning play in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

As mentioned earlier, the NFL is a copycat league which makes this story even better. The Chiefs stole/borrowed that game-winning play from … the Bills.

Suggs Narrates Unbelievable Story of Chiefs, Mahomes Recruiting Him | Sports Illustrated

“Andy Reid called me,” Suggs told Marshawn Lynch and Mike Robinson on this week’s edition of the Get Got podcast. “He didn’t even call my agent. I don’t even know how he got my (expletive) number to this day.”

Going hard after Suggs, a veteran with 138 career sacks in his 17th NFL season, Reid boldly compared himself to his former coordinator John Harbaugh, Suggs’ Baltimore head coach from 2008-18.

“He said, ‘I know you love Baltimore, but you gotta understand I gave Harbs his first coaching job. Everything you love about Harbs, he got from me. You come with me, you’ll win a Super Bowl.’

“And I was like, ‘Alright, Coach, let me sleep on it.’”

Suggs didn’t even hit his snooze button until a confident young quarterback, then with zero Super Bowl rings, delivered the Chiefs’ dagger.

“Yeah, I hung up the phone and Patrick Mahomes calls me,” Suggs recalled. “He was the show then, you know what I’m saying? Yeah, he was the show. And he was like, ‘Sizzle, come get the Super Bowl ring.’ I said, ‘OK, I’ll be there in the morning.’”

Around the NFL​

NFL playoffs: 10 biggest winners and losers from Bills-Broncos, 49ers-Seahawks | NFL.com

2) Bills quarterback Josh Allen: There isn’t much left to say about Allen when it comes to postseason defeats. He’s dealt with some heartbreakers over the course of his career, but this one should hurt a bit more because of his role. We usually talk about the Buffalo supporting cast failing Allen in critical situations when the Bills lose in the playoffs. This time around, he was a big part of the problem. The same quarterback who’s been phenomenal throughout his postseason career — he hadn’t given the ball away once in his last six playoff games — ended up with four turnovers. Allen fumbled three times and lost two of those while also throwing two interceptions. Some of those turnovers came down to a Denver defender making a great play, like the one McMillian made in ripping the ball away from Cooks in overtime for that interception. At other times, it was Allen simply trying to do too much, when he lost the football while scrambling with two seconds left in the first half and set up a Will Lutz field goal after Denver recovered that mishap. It’s fair to say the Bills would have won that game if Allen could have avoided one of those turnovers. Since he didn’t, this ends up being another year where Buffalo fans are left to wonder what it will take for this team to win a championship during his tenure. It’s been said many times that Allen was poised to benefit from a postseason without Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson playing. Turns out that advantage didn’t take the Bills any farther than they’ve already been in recent years.

NFL playoff overreactions for divisional round: C.J. Stroud cost himself millions? | CBS Sports

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

It was a downright terrible day for C.J. Stroud. The Houston Texans quarterback looked lost throughout his team’s 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots, and tossed four interceptions in the losing effort. Stroud was erratic with the ball for the bulk of the game and completed just 45.4% of his passes and finished with a 28.0 passer rating.

When you factor in his poor showing over Wild Card Weekend against Pittsburgh, Stroud became the first player in NFL playoff history with five-plus interceptions and five-plus fumbles in a postseason. Not great.

This disastrous postseason comes at a bad time for Stroud, who is extension-eligible this offseason. The knee-jerk reaction to this performance would be that the Texans should not sign Stroud to an extension and/or not ink him to a deal that pays him around $55 million annually with the upper-echelon quarterbacks.

Bills’ Sean McDermott calls out handling of controversial overtime interception: ‘I’m standing up for Buffalo’ | Yahoo! Sports

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said postgame that he believes Cooks made a catch and was down by contact.

“It’s hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled,” McDermott said at the podium. “If it is ruled that way, then why wasn’t it slowed down just to make sure that we have this right. That would have made a lot of sense to me. … Because that’s a pivotal play in the game. [We’d] have the ball at the 20 and may be kicking a game-winning field goal right there.

“So I’ll just leave it at that.”

But McDermott didn’t.

Impassioned, he suddenly added:

“But I’m saying it because I’m standing up for Buffalo, damn it. I’m standing up for us. Because what went on is not how it should go down, in my estimation. These guys spend three hours out there playing football, pouring their guts out. To not even say, ‘Hey, let’s just slow this thing down.’

“That’s why I’m bothered.”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Tiering the Chiefs’ roster ahead of offseason movement

Tier 4: Rookie-deal players who haven’t emerged yet

Players: Wide receiver Xavier Worthy, cornerback Nohl Williams, defensive end Ashton Gillotte, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, safety Jaden Hicks and safety Chamarri Conner

Worthy being on this list after his rookie year is disappointing, but this is the level his career is currently at. The 2025 season was a poor one for Worthy. He battled through injuries, but he struggled to make plays by beating man coverage. He aligned more on the outside once Rice came back, and it was ineffective. For Worthy to reach his ceiling, his role needs to change.

To bring youth and depth to the defense, the Chiefs drafted Gillotte, Norman-Lott, and Williams on Day 2 last year. Williams looks the most promising of the three and will probably start next year. Gillotte and Norman-Lott have not proven enough to cement a role in 2026.

Hicks and Conner will likely start next year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Chiefs brought in different safeties this spring.

Social media to make you think​

This reminds me of the #Chiefs 2023 Super Bowl run

When Mahomes won three consecutive playoff games — two on the road — without committing a turnover OR what PFF deemed a turnover-worthy play https://t.co/fjXg1Dk5Y6

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 17, 2026

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ng-pass-rush-is-chiefs-top-offseason-priority

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs are reportedly hiring Chad O’Shea as wide receivers coach

With all signs pointing to the Kansas City Chiefs hiring Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, the team has reportedly hired a position coach.

The Chiefs are hiring Chad O’Shea as their wide receivers coach, per source.

O’Shea got into the NFL as a volunteer assistant with Kansas City in 2003. Over two decades later, he’s back as Andy Reid remodels his offensive staff. pic.twitter.com/BW7koHxbi3

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 19, 2026

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Chiefs will hire Chad O’Shea as the wide receivers coach. He has been the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach with the Cleveland Browns since 2020, joining the staff of head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was recently hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

O’Shea brings nearly two decades of position-coach experience to the offensive coaching staff. After entering the NFL as a volunteer assistant with Kansas City in 2003, he was hired as an assistant coach for the special teams unit under head coach Dick Vermeil for the final two years of his tenure. From there, he switched to an offensive assistant with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 and found himself coaching the wide receivers in 2007.

O’Shea has held that position for an NFL team every season since, except for an opportunity to be the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator in 2019.

His most notable stop began in 2009 with the New England Patriots. He led a room that featured wide receivers Wes Welker and Randy Moss still in their primes, then played a key role in the career development of wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was a college quarterback at Kent State.

Head coach Andy Reid is bringing a new, experienced voice into Kansas City’s coaching staff. He will replace former wide receivers coach Connor Embree, who was fired after his third season as an NFL position coach.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...chiefs-hiring-chad-oshea-wide-receivers-coach

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Latest PFF mock draft has Chiefs drafting ‘favorite’ to win OROY

There are over three months until the 2026 NFL Draft, but with the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason underway, it’s time to consider what draft prospects the Chiefs could select with the ninth overall pick.

On Sunday, Pro Football Focus analyst Gordon McGuinness published a first-round mock draft that had two popular names for the Chiefs’ pick taken in the top 3. The New York Jets selected edge rusher David Bailey from Texas Tech, then the Arizona Cardinals drafted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

With the fourth selection, the Tennessee Titans are matched with Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. In the remaining four spots before Kansas City’s selection, three wide receivers are taken.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

As long as Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs‘ quarterback, opposing defenses will have reason to worry. A dynamic running back would only lift Kansas City’s attack in 2026. Love earned elite PFF overall grades of 91.1 and 93.9 over the past two seasons, and he averaged 4.5 yards after contact in 2025. He would instantly be the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year if he landed in Kansas City.

My takeaway​

In this scenario, the Chiefs miss out on the worthwhile defensive talent at the top of the draft class — except for Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.

Watching Downs but couldn't help marveling at Ohio State LB Arvell Reese

Seems like the perfect LB for today's NFL. Can play the run off-ball or on the LOS, but could also just be a 3-4 OLB all 3 downs pic.twitter.com/QvN70Anhf2

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) December 28, 2025

He is certainly a premier prospect for modern NFL defense, but that is not necessarily the brand that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo plays with in the front seven.

With that misfit in mind, the best pick in this spot absolutely would be Jeremiyah Love. Kansas City needs to make the most of a top-10 pick, and he would be the most impactful pick here, all things considered.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans.../pff-mock-draft-chiefs-drafting-favorite-oroy

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/20: Matt Nagy was beat out for Titans job

The latest​

Separating Fact From Narrative in the Titans’ Decision to Pass on Matt Nagy | Paulkuharsky.com

Matt Nagy, who worked with Mike Borgonzi with the Chiefs for eight seasons, was thought by many to be a shoo-in as the next Titans’ coach.

The Titans and Mike Borgonzi hired Robert Saleh instead.

Late Monday night, ESPN was already pumping a pro-Amy Adams Strunk, anti-Borgonzi narrative that the GM wanted Nagy and ownership moved him toward Saleh.

I know this not to be true.

Unfortunately for Nagy, it leaves him as less of a victim, deserted by his friend. Insead it means he was beaten out by a different personality of the sort the Titans need more.

4 Positives Generated By Bieniemy’s Likely Return to Chiefs | Sports Illustrated

Respect in building could convince Kelce to return

From Patrick Mahomes to Steve Spagnuolo, Bieniemy earned a great deal of respect from Chiefs players and coaches over his first 10 years in Kansas City (2013-22).

And one of those players, Travis Kelce, might even be encouraged to return for a 14th season after learning of Bieniemy’s return.

With Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, Kelce enjoyed his three highest single-season receptions totals (110 in 2022, 105 in 2020 and 103 in 2018). The tight end’s touchdown receptions and receiving yards were significantly better with Bieniemy in that role.

Patrick Mahomes Statement Resurfaces After Chiefs Coaching News | Yahoo! Sports

“I just want someone that loves football, that cares about football, wants to give everything they can to win, to hold people accountable, and then to bring new ideas every single day,” Mahomes told reporters in a Zoom interview on Thursday.

“That’s something that we have to continue to do if you want to continue to be great in this league, is you have to continue to evolve and get better and better and that’s something that we’ll try to do here and I want to get back to that winning culture of being accountable to each other and going out there and playing great football every single day, practice or game.”

Bieniemy fits the bill. More importantly, he has already worked with and succeeded alongside Mahomes and Co. The 56-year-old was part of two of Kansas City’s title runs. He was Reid’s OC when they won Super Bowl 54 in 2020 and Super Bowl 57 in 2023.

Kansas City Chiefs will have more boots on the ground at the Senior Bowl than usual — and one decision could tip a coming promotion | A to Z Sports

Chiefs assistant QB coach Daniel Williams is slated to coach the wide receivers for the National Team under head coach Clint Hurtt (Philadelphia Eagles). Williams has been a member of the Chiefs’ offensive coaching staff for seven seasons, including spending the last three seasons as assistant quarterbacks coach. As a coaching intern during the 2019 NFL season, Williams worked with tight ends and quarterbacks, but this opportunity is his first foray into coaching wide receivers. His father, Ted Williams, was a tight end coach under Andy Reid in Philadelphia.

Could Williams perhaps be the Chiefs’ choice for wide receiver coach in 2026 now that Connor Embree has been relieved of his duties? Kansas City has yet to announce that change, but the fact that Williams is working with wide receivers at the Senior Bowl certainly suggests that his focus as a coach may shift in 2026. He has been working closely with David Girardi and Patrick Mahomes for years now, so there seems to be a level of trust that could weigh heavily into such a decision.

Around the NFL​

Robert Saleh is the new Tennessee Titans head coach, per reports | Music City Miracles

Saleh was one of two finalists for the job alongside Matt Nagy of the Kansas City Chiefs. Both were former head coaches in the NFL, and every head coach hire this cycle fits that description.

Saleh coached the New York Jets to a 20-36 record from 2021 to 2024 as the head man, topping out at 7-10 in 2022 and 2023. He has been the 49ers defensive coordinator for multiple seasons, leading them to sixth overall in 2025.

Saleh joins former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans in the AFC South after both being 49ers defensive coordinators. Saleh’s first NFL ob was with the Texans from 2005-2010 and he spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2014-2016.

Bills promote Brandon Beane: Buffalo general manager will be new president of football operations | Buffalo Rumblings

The Buffalo Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott on Monday, just days after another disappointing playoff loss. At the same time, it was shared that general manager Brandon Beane would stay on in his role and lead the head coach search. Not only that, the Bills promoted Beane to president of football operations. That likely signals that the new head coach will report to Beane whereas McDermott had reported directly to owner Terry Pegula.

This has not sat well with a lot of Bills fans, who blame Beane for the team’s shortcomings in 2025. Beane’s post-draft rant about the wide receiver position on a local radio show was particularly troubling for many Bills fans, as that position group turned out to be an Achilles heel of the team the entire season. It was made worse at the trade deadline when he pursued receivers but ultimately came away empty.

Dolphins hire Packers DC Jeff Hafley as next head coach | NFL.com

Hafley, who also coached defensive backs at the NFL level with the Buccaneers, Browns and 49ers from 2012-18, has previously only been a head coach at the collegiate level. He was Boston College’s head coach from 2020-23, leading the Eagles to a record of .500 or better in three of his four seasons.

He comes to a Miami team in dire need of an identity shift, with plenty of questions to answer after two consecutive losing seasons followed the Dolphins’ first consecutive playoff berths since the 2000-01 campaigns. The Dolphins in recent years developed a reputation for soft play, featuring speed over enforcers, and that showed in the team’s 24th-ranked scoring defense.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Chiefs are reportedly hiring Chad O’Shea as wide receivers coach

O’Shea brings nearly two decades of position-coach experience to the offensive coaching staff. After entering the NFL as a volunteer assistant with Kansas City in 2003, he was hired as an assistant coach for the special teams unit under head coach Dick Vermeil for the final two years of his tenure. From there, he switched to an offensive assistant with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 and found himself coaching the wide receivers in 2007.

O’Shea has held that position for an NFL team every season since, except for an opportunity to be the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator in 2019.

His most notable stop began in 2009 with the New England Patriots. He led a room that featured wide receivers Wes Welker and Randy Moss still in their primes, then played a key role in the career development of wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was a college quarterback at Kent State.

Social media to make you think​

Getting EB back is the best outcome given that the HC is the OC (one of the best of all time) and has offensive control. EB brings the same traits that made him successful before: works his ass off and holds people accountable. This time he comes back with intimate knowledge of…

— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) January 19, 2026

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...34/1-20-matt-nagy-was-beat-out-for-titans-job

 

[JJ]

OH MAN where do I even start with all this Chiefs news...

First off, gotta say it's HILARIOUS watching Mahomes try to come back from an ACL tear while the Chiefs are sitting at 6-11. Welcome to the other side buddy! Us Bills fans know ALL about watching your franchise QB deal with heartbreak, except ours is usually in January not December.

But seriously, the fact that Mecole Hardman scored a TD for US using that same play the Chiefs used to beat us in the Super Bowl?? POETIC JUSTICE RIGHT THERE. And the best part - the article says the Chiefs originally stole that play FROM THE BILLS. So really we just took back what was ours. You're welcome Kansas City.

Now about that Josh Allen "loser" take in the article - I'm gonna need whoever wrote that to meet me outside. FOUR turnovers and we STILL almost won that game against Denver. You know what that tells me? Josh Allen is so damn good that even on his worst day he's keeping us in playoff games. Mahomes has bad games too, he just usually has a better defense backing him up.

The Bieniemy hire makes sense for KC though. You guys need SOMEONE who can hold people accountable because clearly that 6-11 record shows something went wrong. And convincing Kelce to come back for one more year with his old OC? Smart move if they can pull it off.

Also laughing at the Bills firing McDermott news buried in there. New era in Buffalo baby! LETS GO BUFFALO

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey and Travis Kelce selected to PFWA All-AFC team

The Kansas City Chiefs’ underachieving 2025 season resulted in less recognition at the end of the season than the three-time defending AFC champions are used to. The Associated Press’ All-Pro team featured one Chiefs player on the first or second team: center Creed Humphrey. Kansas City had been represented by at least three players in each of the previous seven seasons.

The Professional Football Writers of America’s 2025 All-NFL team also selected Humphrey as the only Chiefs player; the All-Pro center was one of only seven individuals who were recognized on the 2024 team as well.

The PFWA breaks the honors out into conferences as well. Along with Humphrey, tight end Travis Kelce was named to the All-AFC team after leading AFC tight ends in receiving yards (851) and catching the third-most passes in the conference.

Travis Kelce played all but one snap against the Chargers. It was his 4th 90%+ snap rate in the last 6 games as the season teetered on the brink

If that was the last meaningful game we ever see 87 play, it was one of his greatest efforts #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/s7AtgzURpl

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) December 15, 2025

To play all 17 games — lining up nearly every snap in crucial games down the stretch — his durability was already noteworthy, but Kelce ran the second-most routes (567) among all tight ends in the NFL according to NFL Next Gen Stats; in the AFC, Indianapolis Colts’ tight end Tyler Warren ran 73 fewer than Kelce for the second-highest mark.

The 36-year old tried to overcompensate for the inconsistent availability of Chiefs wide receivers in 2025, and reminded many writers and spectators that he is still one of the league’s best tight ends. Now the football world is waiting to see if the admirable effort was his final bow or enough of a reinvigoration to play into 2026.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...creed-humphrey-travis-kelce-pfwa-all-afc-team

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

3 things Eric Bieniemy will bring to Chiefs as offensive coordinator

On Monday, reports surfaced of the Kansas City Chiefs’ plan to fill the vacant offensive coordinator position with a coach who has held that title in Kansas City before: Eric Bieniemy. After one year as the running backs coach with the Chicago Bears, he will return to the Chiefs for the 2026 season. Bieniemy will reprise the role he held from 2018 to 2022, when he won two Super Bowls as the right-hand man to head coach Andy Reid.

Between his departure from the Chiefs and working under Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson, Bieniemy coordinated the offenses of the Washington Commanders and the UCLA Bruins, where he was also the associate head coach. His return to an NFL sideline in 2025 put him in charge of Chicago’s backfield, the original position he held for the first five years of Reid’s tenure in Kansas City.

The Chiefs’ offense needs a fresh approach, and Bieniemy can blend the knowledge he has gained in his last few stops with the strict attention to detail that helped the Chiefs become champions in 2019 and 2022.

1. Under center offense​

The Chiefs’ reliance on running plays out of shotgun formations in 2025 limited what they were able to do offensively, and these restrictions led to poor offensive play throughout the season.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs ranked 30th in the NFL in plays run from under center (196) during the 2025 season, but the Bears ranked fourth with 519 plays.

Ben Johnson has been one of the more innovative minds in the NFL since his days as an offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. His ability to blend a power running game with an innovative passing attack centered around play-action has been instrumental to the emergence of the Lions and now the Bears.

The Bears averaged 98.6 yards per game with under-center rush looks — the third-highest rate in the NFL — while the Chiefs averaged only 38.1 yards per game (27th ranked). When passing from these looks, the Bears ranked fifth in the NFL with 168.2 yards per game; that is what the Chiefs should look to adopt in 2026.

Bieniemy should help Reid bridge the gap between Kansas City’s current offense and the modern ideas that the Chiefs lacked in 2025..

2. Running back development​

Bieniemy will return as the offensive coordinator, but he will likely play a key role in the development of the running backs on the Chiefs’ current roster, as well as any additions made through free agency or the draft.

It’s worth noting that Kansas City has yet to fill the position of running backs coach after news of Todd Pinkston being relieved of his duties. The team also fired assistant running backs coach Mark DeLeone, according to a report on Tuesday evening.

The Chiefs should have a strong selection of top candidates for the job, but Bieniemy will naturally be involved in the development of the position he is most familiar.

In 2025, he coached the Bears’ backfield duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, and both players finished with career seasons. Swift ran for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, while Monangai— a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft— rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns. The ground game carried the Bears’ offense, and Bieniemy was at the forefront.

Currently, Kansas City has only two running backs on the roster: Brashard Smith and Dameon Pierce. Smith was seldom used as a rookie, but flashed when he did see the field. Pierce spent the first three seasons of his career with the Houston Texans, but things did not pan out after his rookie season in 2022. Pierce was picked up in November and spent the final half of the 2025 season on the Chiefs’ practice squad.

The organization will also be in a position to add a running back to the roster through free agency and the draft. Bieniemy should play a key role in helping develop the room and sculpt what the backfield will look like for the foreseeable future.

3. Accountability​

Even in the modern era of analysis with in-depth statistical breakdowns as thorough as ever, some things still cannot be quantified, and one of these is accountability.

For the last two seasons, the Chiefs’ offense has floundered, and the dropoff was significant in 2025. At times, the offense looked like the productive machine it had been in the past, but all too often, a simple mistake derailed a drive or prevented the offense from gaining momentum.

During his first stint as the offensive coordinator, Bieniemy preached accountability, attention to detail, and above all else, executing the game plan.

Since he left following the 2022 season, the offense has been out of sorts. This was not all on the coaching staff, but the influx of penalties, turnovers, and poor execution played a part in the team parting ways with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy after three years.

Bieneimy will bring a no-nonsense, old-school mentality by hammering the offense on fundamentals, then holding all accountable to the championship standard that has been set in Kansas City.

The coaching will be needed in all phases of the offense. The Chiefs have a young group of skill players who have a long way to go to reach their potential, and the group will likely be larger at the start of training camp.

With Mahomes projected to return to play early on in 2026, it will be up to Reid and Bieniemy to hold the team around him accountable and hone in on the little things that can make or break championship seasons.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s/192697/3-things-eric-bieniemy-brings-chiefs

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicts Chiefs to improve run game with top pick

There are over three months until the 2026 NFL Draft, but with the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason underway, it’s time to consider what draft prospects the Chiefs could select with the ninth overall pick.

The most famous mock drafter of them all, ESPN’s Mel Kiper, released a first-round mock draft on Wednesday morning, with the season of college football officially concluded. Fresh off a 16-0 national championship season, Indiana’s quarterback has basically locked himself into the Las Vegas Raiders’ pick at the top of the draft.

With the third overall selection, the Arizona Cardinals were matched with Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, taking away an option at right tackle that was thought to be in range for Kansas City in most mock drafts. Two intriguing edge defenders — David Bailey of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami — are taken before the eighth pick: Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

9. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

You could see it, right? The Chiefs make their first pick in the top 10 since they took Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 in 2017 and promptly use the selection to get a game-changing running back to pair with their star quarterback? Improving the run game could open up the offense in a big way. The Chiefs were in the bottom half of the league in yards per carry (4.2) and runs of 10-plus yards (44) this season, and Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both free agents. It’s time to inject some juice into this ground attack.

Ignoring positional value, Love is the second-best prospect on my Big Board. Vision. Burst. Power. Speed. Receiving skills. He has it all, and he ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season.

Kiper goes with the pick that we have seen plenty of, and it could be further justified with the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. The long-time running backs coach has worked with legendary ballcarriers Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles. Love has earned the top-10 hype with his talent, but general manager Brett Veach may feel better about pulling the trigger knowing Bieniemy will sharpen any dull spots in his game.

In this scenario, the one player that could be hard to pass up on for Love would be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who was picked next. The high pick needs to be a difference maker, and Kansas City should feel good about either of those two players fitting the bill.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...per-predicts-chiefs-improve-run-game-top-pick

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

The Chiefs, Bills & Ravens dominated this era in the AFC. What changed?

The Kansas City Chiefs have been the dominant team of this era. I understand this isn’t news to anyone, but it needs to be said up front. The two other AFC teams most prominent from 2019-2024 were the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. These three teams combined for nine of the 12 possible AFC Championship Game slots in these six years. They also had — by far — the best records among all AFC teams over this stretch, a combined 135 games over .500. The only other AFC teams to maintain a record above .500 from 2019-2024 were the Pittsburgh Steelers (58-41-1) and the Miami Dolphins (52-48).

It’s hard to overstate the dominance Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore had over this conference for more than half a decade.

That run of dominance came to an abrupt halt this season. The Chiefs and Ravens missed the playoffs entirely. The failure was enough for the Ravens to fire long-time head coach John Harbaugh. The Bills’ dramatic exit from the postseason in the divisional round convinced ownership it was time to move on from head coach Sean McDermott. It’s worth noting that the other AFC teams mentioned did the same.

Andy Reid is the last head coach standing out of the bunch.

The change atop the AFC was a shock to the system, the kind of movement that requires a deeper assessment. The Chiefs, Bills and Ravens enter an uncertain future despite having arguably the three best quarterbacks in the conference.

How did we get here? And what comes next?​

Sustaining this level of success is remarkably difficult. It’s what made the New England Patriots’ dynasty so impressive. Opposing teams will poach the coaching staff and front office, and that bleeds into free agency, where players on winning teams are hot commodities.

Winning comes at a cost, both literally and figuratively. These are good problems to have, but it’s something to overcome nonetheless.

The truth is, these issues are easier to overcome while your quarterback is on a rookie contract. Teams can eke out some extra flexibility through the first year or two of a quarterback’s mega-deal, as well. The rookie deal flexibility came to an end for the Chiefs and Ravens in 2021 with Mahomes and Jackson, respectively. The Bills provided themselves with added flexibility in Josh Allen’s deal through the 2023 season.

Cost-controlled young talent is the most valuable commodity when your quarterback accounts for more than 15 percent of the salary cap. Free agency becomes more targeted. Trades are harder to pull off because, again, those draft picks carry their weight in gold. Especially early round selections.

How did the best teams in the AFC fare with those picks in recent years? Let’s take a look.

The Chiefs’ top 40 selections since 2020:

• 2020 – RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (#32)
• 2021 – N/A
• 2022 – CB Trent McDuffie (#21) & DE George Karlaftis (#30)
• 2023 – DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (#31)
• 2024 – WR Xavier Worthy (#28)
• 2025 – OT Josh Simmons (#32)

Bills top 40 selections since 2020:

• 2020 – N/A
• 2021 – DE Gregory Rousseau (#30)
• 2022 – CB Kaiir Elam (#23)
• 2023 – TE Dalton Kincaid (#25)
• 2024 – WR Keon Coleman (#33)
• 2025 – CB Maxwell Hairston (#30)

Ravens top 40 selections since 2020:

• 2020 – LB Patrick Queen (#28)
• 2021 – WR Rashod Bateman (#27), DE Odafe Oweh (#31)
• 2022 – S Kyle Hamilton (#14), C Tyler Linderbaum (#25)
• 2023 – WR Zay Flowers (#22)
• 2024 – CB Nate Wiggins (#30)
• 2025 – S Malaki Starks (#27)

There are some solid players on that list. McDuffie and Karlaftis have been foundational pieces of the Chiefs’ defense since they were drafted. Worthy showed flashes as a rookie before injuries took hold in year 2. Simmons looks the part of a franchise left tackle. Rousseau is a solid rotational edge rusher for the Bills. Kincaid’s had his moments. Queen made a Pro Bowl appearance before leaving the Ravens via free agency. Hamilton is a star. Linderbaum might be the top center on the free agent market this offseason. Flowers has been solid. Wiggins can play. Starks is already an established starter.

Moral of the story, these aren’t all busts. But there might be… one star on that list? Maybe you could argue two if you’re willing to list McDuffie into that criteria along with Hamilton? This is the reality of drafting outside of the top 20 annually. It’s remarkably difficult to find blue-chip talent past that range.

I did some digging to find out if this has been unique to these three teams, or if the rest of the league also struggles to find blue-chip talent in this range of the draft:

There were 96 total players picked between the 25th and 40th overall selections in the NFL Draft between 2020 and 2025. Only nine of those 96 players earned a pro bowl nod. Only three (Patrick Queen, Landon Dickerson and Tyler Linderbaum) of those 96 players had multiple Pro Bowl appearances.

Pro Bowl appearances aren’t a foolproof way to judge a player’s career, but the numbers match up well with the reality of these picks. Roughly 10% of the picks in the range where Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore have been selecting in the NFL Draft go on to become positive contributors. An even smaller percentage has a chance at becoming a star.

This lack of star talent showed up in a big way when watching all three recent AFC juggernauts this season. The Ravens defense isn’t what it once was. The offense doesn’t feature anyone outside of quarterback Lamar Jackson or running back Derrick Henry, who strikes fear into opposing defenses. The same issues exist for the Bills: the defense got smaller, older and slower in recent years. The offense revolves around quarterback Josh Allen, running back James Cook and wide receiver Khalil Shakir. Shakir would be a nice complementary piece, but he’s miscast as a primary receiver.

Does this sound familiar? Defensive tackle Chris Jones’ decline has exposed the inability of the rest of Kansas City’s defensive line to win one-on-one, and the offense lacks a go-to guy in the twilight of tight end Travis Kelce’s career.

None of this is to absolve front offices for their misses in the draft, but I don’t believe it’s a coincidence we’re witnessing the rise of teams like the Denver Broncos and Patriots in the conference at the same time as we’ve seen the Bills, Ravens and Chiefs level off. The rookie quarterback contract is a real advantage, and the two teams representing the AFC on Championship Weekend this season found ways to weaponize those deals. This will be the 13th time in the past 14 Super Bowls in which at least one of the teams will feature a quarterback on a rookie contract.

That doesn’t feel like correlation; it looks like causation.​

The Ravens and Bills fired their coaches in part because they were unable to accomplish what Reid did in Mahomes’ first five seasons — win the big one. The Chiefs came out of Mahomes’ rookie contract with two Super Bowl victories and another appearance. If nothing else, that earned Reid the benefit of the doubt after one down season. Harbaugh and McDermott are left wishing they could be so fortunate.

What comes next is anyone’s guess. It remains to be seen who the Bills and Ravens will hire as their next head coach. The Chiefs will have a top-10 selection for the first time since trading up for Mahomes. That grants them access to the caliber of talent they’ve been lacking in recent years. The Ravens are slated to select 14th overall, the same selection they were able to take Hamilton a few years ago. Buffalo is once again picking 26th, and their cap situation leaves something to be desired. They also have the potential MVP playing in their division.

Reaching the top of the mountain is hard. Sustaining that level of performance might be even harder. The Chiefs, Ravens and Bills lived a charmed life for most of this decade. The rosters aren’t what they once were. Changes are necessary. The offseason will help determine if we look back at 2025 as a one-off or if it’s a sign of things to come.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s-bills-ravens-dominated-era-afc-what-changed

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler values ‘high-floor’ players in 2026 draft

With no postseason games for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Arrowhead Pride staff has boots on the ground at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas to learn more about the 2026 NFL Draft. Contributing editor Ron Kopp Jr. and lead film analyst Caleb James were at the event’s opening day.

Dane Brugler covers the NFL Draft for The Athletic and is one of the most thorough draft evaluators in the media. He proves it by putting together “The Beast” each year with an in-depth analysis of over 400 draft-eligible players.

He was gracious enough with his time to talk with me about the top of the 2026 draft class with Kansas City’s ninth-overall pick in mind. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has been a popular choice, and Brugler sees the Chiefs as a realistic landing spot.

“Every team is a little different with where they are in their offensive trajectory and with the way the roster is,” Brugler said. “So not everyone is suited to take a running back that early. The Chiefs are in a spot where they just want to get the offense to the next level, and a guy like Jeremiyah Love, he could be the guy that helps open it.”

Love enters the draft after two consecutive seasons rushing for over 1,100 yards, 6.9 yards per carry and at least 17 scores on the ground. Over those two years, he totaled 63 catches for 594 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

“As they build their board, if they come away thinking that Jeremiyah Love is one of three players they should be targeting there, I would completely understand it,” Brugler noted. “Because his impact potential, especially in that offense, is awesome. This isn’t a great running back class; it’s not like if you don’t pick Love at nine, you can get this guy in the second round. It’s just not that deep.”

There’s the case for Love, but Brugler himself mocked Ohio State safety Caleb Downs to the Chiefs, although Love was not available in his scenario.

Brugler mentioned he received pushback on the prediction, but he was strong in his opinion that positional value may not carry as much weight this year.

“It’s just not a high-end, rich draft,” Brugler declared. “If you ask evaluators around the league to list the top non-quarterbacks in the draft, the list is going to look wildly different from person to person. Some are going to look at Caleb Downs and (linebacker) Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love, three positions that are ‘non-premium positions,’ but they see the highest floors of anyone in this draft that would be taken that high.”

“I would understand why a team would value those guys as opposed to shooting for high-upside, the guy that has a few holes in his game, but you look at what he could be,” Brugler continued. “I understand why a team would look for the high floor as opposed to the high ceiling in this draft, especially. Even though they are ‘non-premium positions,’ I think you have to throw it out. This draft is very unique, and a guy like Caleb Downs, you could make the case is the best player in this entire draft.”

With a uniquely high pick, Kansas City must come away with a worthwhile player. Brugler made the point that teams picking in the top-10 need to draft a player that “is going to impact your roster the most.”

That could be Love or Downs, but Brugler reiterated the ambiguity of the class means the Chiefs should be prepared for all of the possibilities — including the two most popular defensive linemen: Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey of Texas Tech.

“Neither of those guys are top-8 locks,” Brugler said. “David Bailey is a bullet off the edge. He has some questions in the run game, but he has gotten better and better… Rueben Bain is just not loved by everybody. Some teams grade him as a three-technique; some teams are not going to be comfortable taking a player with his physical profile that early. The tape says he’s a guy that’s really impactful, so it wouldn’t be surprising either if he was off the board.”

It is early in the draft process, but the bottom line for Brugler is that a team like the Chiefs must use this opportunity to boost the roster as much as possible in one swing. Downs and Love may not play “premium” positions, but each are immediate-impact prospects at positions that Kansas City lacks a difference maker currently.

The high-floor players could instantly raise the Chiefs’ ceiling for next season and beyond.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-brugler-values-high-floor-players-2026-draft

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

The best Eric Bienemy quotes from his time with the Chiefs

This week, the Kansas City Chiefs and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy agreed to a multi-year deal for Bieniemy to return to the team he won two Super Bowls with. A lot of things come to mind when Chiefs fans think of Bieniemy, but near the top of the list is the distilled nuggets of wisdom that he has an innate ability to drop into a presser on a random Tuesday.

Some might call them Bieniemisms, others might call them proverbs — however you label these maxims, one thing is true: Bieniemy is one quotable son of a gun.

To celebrate Bieniemy’s return, I thought it might be fun to comb through the catacombs of articles and dig up the best Bieniemy quotes from his last stint in Kansas City.

So without further ado, I present a collection of all of my favorite Bieniemy sayings.

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On screwing up.​

“One thing in this industry — the only way you’re going to learn to improve is to go out there and make a mistake. Sometimes the best thing you can do is make a mistake.”

On giving praise​

“Great job of finishing the play. Now catch your breath. We’re about to feed your ass.”

On not shooting yourself in the foot​

“When it’s all said and done — like I tell our guys each and every week — ‘Let’s line up and play against the opponent.’

“Because the Chiefs right now are kicking the Chiefs’ ass. Let’s go out and play against the opponent, give ourselves an opportunity, and then let’s see what happens.”

On what makes Mahomes unique​

“You guys have been around him — you know him,” said Bieniemy. “He’s a competitive prick. OK? He’s a great kid, but he’s a competitive prick.”

On getting frustrated​

“I don’t have time to get frustrated. Because I have to get up and go to work the next day. We do this for a reason – we coach football to be the very best that we can.”

On running the football​

“The more yards you can put on the ground, the more pressure you apply to the defense.”

On committing to the run game​

“We have to run it,” Bieniemy asserted to reporters. “We have to invest in it — meaning that we can’t just run it a few times and expect success.”

“It’s just like when you’re pounding concrete and you’re using that hammer,” suggested Bieniemy. “It’s not going to break the first few times you utilize it. It’s going to take a while.

On self-reflection​

“So when you get your ass kicked, you re-evaluate everything. So guys have to take a look at themselves [and] coaches have to take a look at themselves.”

On overcoming adversity​

“No one ever wants to go into a game [by] turning over the football — but at certain times, things happened. The thing that we need to do is make sure that we have the wherewithal to overcome the adversity and make something positive happen. So just like I told the guys: ‘We’ve got to create our own luck.’”

On giving feedback​

“The thing is these guys understand I coach hard, and I coach fair, and I always tell them, ‘I’m going to be your harshest critic, but I’m also going to be your biggest fan,’” explained Bieniemy. “The reason why I coach that way is because I know what they’re capable of doing. So, when those guys make mistakes, I just want them to understand that obviously we don’t want you to make a mistake, it’s OK that you made the mistake, but now what are we going to do from here on out to amend that mistake?”

On the 13-second game, preparation, and situational football​

“It wasn’t by chance that it happened,” Bieniemy said of the game-tying drive. “It happened because we’ve practiced it over and over and over again.”

On teaching phonics​

“Our guys are going to do whatever is needed to go out and win, because when it’s all said and done with — we talk about this every week. It’s not about the numbers; it’s about the alphabets. And the only two [letters] that matter in this industry is a W and a L. Whatever we have to do to get that W? That’s all what matters.”

“I’m not trying to sound arrogant or anything, that first drive we always want to go out and score,” Bieniemy insisted. “I don’t care if it’s a 15-play drive or a one-play drive, we want to make sure that we go out there and establish our identity and who we are and what we’re going to be about today.”

On digging deep​

“If you want to beat this team, you have got to out-effort them. You’ve got to out-strain them. You got to be willing to play to the echo of the last whistle.

“So that’s the type of game this is going to be. Put your hand in the dirt [and] knuckle up [for a] 60-minute dogfight. Then after that — if we have to go additional minutes — drink some water, get your Kool-Aid. [Then] we got to go do it. We gotta go fight!”

On protecting the football​

“Guys need to understand this. In order to be a team that wants to exceed all expectations and go out and pursue a championship, there’s certain things you can’t do. You can’t turn over the football. Right now, we got to protect the ball. We got to do a better job of understanding how important it is of possessing it and making sure that whatever individual has that ball last, their job is to hand it back to the ref.”

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What about you? What’s your favorite EB saying to date?

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...c-bieniemy-quotes-from-last-stint-with-chiefs

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

In championship week ‘Reacts’ poll, Chiefs’ fans approve of Bieniemy

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Kansas City Chiefs fans. You can see all of the recent survey results here.

And be sure to check out FanDuel Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.

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Welcome home coach!​

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The Chiefs made it official on Friday: Eric Bienemy will return as offensive coordinator after three years away from the team. Chiefs Kingdom overwhelmingly approves of the hire, whether that’s because of Bienemy or simply wanting change from the previous offensive coaching staff.

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The first challenge for Bieniemy​

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With so much change among the offensive coaches, it’s clear that the unit needs improvement. The polled fans of Kansas City see the run game as the most crucial aspect to work on, but over one-third of voters prioritized situational football or player development; it’s fair to say there’s plenty to work on.

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Click here to see other recent survey results.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/nfl-reacts-survey/193014/championship-week-welcome-back-bienemy

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/24: Chiefs bid farewell to Matt Nagy

The latest​

Patrick Mahomes writes special message as Chiefs officially part ways with Matt Nagy | Kansas City Star

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared a social media message of his own about Nagy. While resharing a Chiefs post about Nagy, Mahomes wrote in an Instagram story: “Thank you coach for everything! Made me a better player and man!” Mahomes added a saluting emoji to that post.

Patrick Mahomes has accurately identified the Chiefs’ biggest and most needed fix | Kansas City Star

Mahomes finished 36th out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks in fourth-quarter completion percentage. That’s behind Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Behind J.J. McCarthy and Spencer Rattler. How? How can Mahomes rank that poorly in any quarterback statistic?

How is it possible a team that built a dynasty on its ability to win close games suddenly lost the magic?

That reverts to that Texans play, and the question that followed it.

Did the Texans know what was coming? Had they seen the trick one too many times?

“I think the one part of having so much success is teams watch a lot of film on you,” Mahomes said. “So we try to have good game plans of how to combat what (they) do and what (we’ve) done well. “You saw that this year — teams were very conscious of the plays that we’ve hit for a long time.”

It’s a long, detailed reply that for the relevance in this column could be boiled down to one word:

Yes.

The Texans perhaps knew what was coming.

Ravens requested to interview Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen | Ravens Wire

From 2016 to 2020, Cullen served as the Ravens’ defensive line coach. That overlapped with Minter’s time in Baltimore. Since Minter would most likely be calling the defensive plays, familiarity with Cullen will be imperative to his growth as a first-time head coach.

If the Ravens can land Cullen, it would give Minter a trusted voice on his staff and help create continuity on a side of the ball he knows best. With the defense likely to remain a strength, Baltimore’s offseason focus now shifts to whether Minter can build the right offensive staff around him to position the Ravens for success in 2026 and beyond.

Former Browns receiver, Chiefs Super Bowl champ dies at 82 | Cleveland.com

Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Frank Pitts Jr., who won Super Bowl IV with the Kansas City Chiefs, has died. He was 82.

Pitts played 10 seasons in the AFL and NFL for the Chiefs, Browns and Oakland Raiders from 1965-74. He played his first six seasons in Kansas City, where he helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV, 23-7, over the Minnesota Vikings in January 1970. Pitts recorded three rushes for 37 yards and three receptions for 33 yards for the Chiefs in that game.

Around the NFL​

Bills interview Philip Rivers for head coach position | ESPN

Rivers, who has never coached at the collegiate or professional level, was interviewed by the Bills on Friday in Florida, the team announced. Rivers is the coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama.

The quarterback, who retired after one season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, rejoined the team in December when Daniel Jones tore his right Achilles. Rivers started three games as the Colts went 0-3 and were eliminated from playoff contention.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been in all the team’s coaching interviews thus far, and the expectation is that will continue.

Seahawks’ Sam Darnold feels ‘really good,’ ready for NFC title game | ESPN

The Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl quarterback has no game designtion, though he was limited in practice all three days this week as part of the team’s plan to get him ready to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field.

“I feel really good,” Darnold said Friday. “Feeling really good this whole week. I feel like the process is going right along where it should be, so I feel really good for Sunday.”

Darnold suffered the injury to his left side in practice last Thursday. He played through it two days later in the divisional round, completing 12 of 17 attempts for 124 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Drew Lock with nine minutes remaining in Seattle’s 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Browns’ Bizarre Head Coach Process Revealed as Candidates Quit: Report | Newsweek

Before you meet with any of the staff, please come over here to take your obligatory introductory questionnaires, personality tests, and a multi-part essay that needs to be due sooner rather than later.

Oh, and there will be additional homework after the initial stage.

Sound good?

If that sounds overwhelming to you, humble reader, then don’t be alarmed: you’re feeling the same as the actual candidates aiming to be the next head coach of the Browns.

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero broke the news on how the Browns are conducting their interviews, which comes a day following the report that Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula turned down Cleveland for an opportunity to interview with them.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

The best Eric Bieniemy quotes from his time with the Chiefs

On not shooting yourself in the foot

“When it’s all said and done — like I tell our guys each and every week — ‘Let’s line up and play against the opponent.’

“Because the Chiefs right now are kicking the Chiefs’ ass. Let’s go out and play against the opponent, give ourselves an opportunity, and then let’s see what happens.”

Social media to make you think​

Interesting nuance here—the Bills can't interview Rams, Seahawks, Patriots or Broncos assistants, and the Steelers can't interview Broncos or Seahawks assistants til they're eliminated from the playoffs.

Why? Next week's window for Super Bowl teams is for 2nd interviews only.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 23, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

• Facebook: Like our page
• Instagram: @ArrowheadPride
• X: Follow @ArrowheadPride
• AP Staff on X: See complete list
• 90.9 The Bridge on X: Follow @909thebridge

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kansas-city-chiefs-news/193029/1-24-chiefs-bid-farewell-to-matt-nagy

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

2026 Shrine Bowl: 3 tight ends, 3 different skillsets to offer Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs should be keeping tabs on the tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft, regardless of the decision of future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce.

The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl is a good place to start. On Friday, members of the Arrowhead Pride staff took in practice and spoke with draft prospects afterwards.

In general, the tight end position seems to be a strength among both teams’ rosters.

Texas TE Jack Endries with a tough catch over Arizona S Dalton Johnson pic.twitter.com/hjwhW3YxTt

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon using his 6056 height to go up and secure the pass pic.twitter.com/tGK9VRoTaC

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

During the players’ availability to the media, three tight ends from the West roster — each offering different strengths as a player — were kind enough to answer questions we had. We start with one of the most intriguing prospects at the showcase:

1. Bauer Sharp, LSU​

Sharp measured at just over 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 251 pounds at the Shrine Bowl weigh-in. He looks the part of a traditional, in-line tight end — but he was a quarterback in high school (like Kelce). He transitioned away from the signal-caller position early in his college career, but he acknowledged the benefits of having that perspective on pass plays.

LSU TE Bauer Sharp stands out on film for his sound blocking, strong grip

But here he shows off the strong hands to secure the jump ball pic.twitter.com/4iVI2zNL4n

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

In Friday’s practice, Sharp shows off the contested-catch ability as well.

However, when watching Sharp play at LSU, his blocking stood out as sound and consistent. When asked about it, the tight end made it clear that it wasn’t by accident.

“I’ve always had a physical part to my game, when I was quarterback, too,” Sharp told me. “Obviously, it was just the technique for me when I first started playing that I had to improve, and that is what I’ve done. I love it, I take pride in it, I’ve actually fallen in love with blocking. I’m just a nasty player like [George] Kittle… I take pride in that for sure.”

The self-comparison to the San Francisco 49ers tight end sets the expectation for his NFL impact. It’s not just his mindset; it’s also his attention to detail that makes him so effective at locking up a defender.

“That’s the main thing about tight end is hand placement,” Sharp emphasized. “I try to start low to high when trying to stick in their chest. That’s tight end… every defensive lineman I go against in the league is going to be bigger than me. You have to win with technique, base and footwork.”

With practice snaps showing off athleticism as well, Sharp appears to be the total package; it wouldn’t surprise me if he is one of the highest drafted players from the Shrine Bowl.

2. Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma​

A native of Hays, Kansas, Kanak is looking to prove himself as more of a “hybrid position” than tight end at a height below 6 feet 2 inches. Last season at Oklahoma, he lined up in-line (265 snaps), flexed to the slot (222), out wide (39), and in the backfield (43) according to Pro Football Focus.

Oklahoma TE Jaren Kanak is a Hays, KS native

Nice first step to create separation on the shallow cross pic.twitter.com/VxnHSZv7gp

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

In a play from Friday’s practice, Kanak’s first step gets the defender off-balance, and a notable burst the other way gives him the separation he needs to catch and run up the sideline. He also lined up in the backfield as an H-back during team period.

“That’s just part of having a versatile tool belt and to be able to put defenses in binds,” Kanak shared with me. “Like ‘how do we label this personnel group? Are they in 21? Are they in 12? Is it 11? Is this guy a receiver because he’s running past our Nickels?‘”

“It can create hiccups for a defense,” Kanak said. “And so being able to have that versatility in my tool belt is something that I’m definitely looking forward to offering a team.”

If you thought of 49ers’ fullback Kyle Juszczyk when Kanak explained his ideal role, you weren’t alone.

“That was a guy that I constantly am referring back to,” Kanak shared. “And a guy that I studied very heavily in the offseason, trying to model my game after him. Mostly in the run game, using his body position… he’s honestly just the perfect example.”

3. Seydou Traore, Mississippi State​

No prospect had a more fascinating background than Traore, who grew up in London, England, playing goalkeeper in soccer among different sports, but eventually wanted to play American football. He didn’t even know what position; he just wanted to play.

“I had no idea,” Traore answered when I asked about his original positional desire. “I was pretty slim when I first started. So initially, when I first started, I was playing safety and wide receiver for my local club.”

“A year on from that, I played wide receiver at the NFL academy. The following year, I’m at Clearwater Academy International in Florida, and I’m a receiver too, and then from there I got recruited by Arkansas State.”

In his transition to college football, Arkansas State immediately asked Traore to gain strength in order to play tight end rather than receiver. At the Shrine Bowl weigh-ins, he was over 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 233 pounds. He has an 80-inch wingspan — the longest measured of any tight end there.

“I feel my strength is my versatility of what I’m able to do,” Traore declared. “I can turn a five-yard catch into a 20-yard gain. I can also go deep and stretch the field, then in the run game, I just stick my face in there and get busy. I feel like I create problems, and I’m a mismatch for defenses.”

Seydou Traore/TE/Miss State has looked terrific in the early going @ShrineBowl practice. Athletic, agile and catches the ball well. LBs could not cover him in drills. It may take a couple of seasons but he's going to be a day three steal.

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) January 24, 2026

On Saturday, Traore stood out to NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline in practice.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...owl-3-tight-ends-3-different-skillsets-chiefs

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs announce 2025 team MVP, rookie of the year award winners

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their Derrick Thomas and Mack Lee Hill award winners for the 2025 NFL season. The announcement comes almost a month earlier than the past three seasons after the Chiefs stumbled to a 6-11 record and missed the postseason.

A team vote determines these awards once the season ends.

Derrick Thomas Award (Most Valuable Player)​

This year's team MVP goes to @PatrickMahomes! pic.twitter.com/1Biin6IJ7M

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 24, 2026

For the fourth time in his incomparable Chiefs career, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has won the Derrick Thomas Award (Most Valuable Player). Mahomes was previously named team MVP for the 2018, 2022, and 2023 seasons.

Mahomes’ season was unfortunately truncated by a torn ACL suffered in Week 14. While his cumulative stats — 3587 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 13 games — underwhelm based on the standard he has established, the quarterback battled to keep a disappointing squad in postseason contention into December. During the best stretch of the Chiefs’ season, a three game October winning streak, Mahomes posted a passer rating above 100 in each contest with nine touchdowns and only two picks.

With little going right on offense much of the season, Mahomes also set career highs with 422 rushing yards and five scores gained on his legs.

Mack Lee Hill Award (rookie of the year)​

This rook made a statement this season! @AshtonGillotte pic.twitter.com/um3im3cWi3

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 24, 2026

Taken with the Chiefs’ first of two third round selections of the 2025 NFL Draft, former Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillotte was named the Mack Lee Hill (Rookie of the Year) award winner.

While Gillotte nominally started only two games, his snap percentage increased as the season went on. Gillotte played over half of the defensive snaps in seven contests, including Kansas City’s final five games. He finished the season with 1.5 sacks but recorded a pressure in five of the final six games. Gillotte also made arguably Kansas City’s top defensive play of the season with a dramatic interception off of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 14.

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In addition, defensive end George Karlaftis was named Kansas City’s Ed Block Courage Award winner. Named after a longtime Baltimore Colts athletic trainer, each NFL squad awards the honor to a player who “exemplifies commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...93042/chiefs-announce-2025-team-award-winners

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

2026 Shrine Bowl: 3 intriguing defensive linemen for Chiefs draft

The Kansas City Chiefs should be in full draft mode. This weekend, the organization has a chance to evaluate up-and-coming prospects at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas.

Defensive tackle is a position that the Chiefs will likely be targeting in this draft class, and there were a few prospects in the group that could be intriguing for Kansas City.

On Thursday and Friday, the Arrowhead Pride team evaluated and spoke to these NFL hopefuls. Here are three I had the pleasure of talking with for a few minutes:

1. Aaron Hall, Duke​

At the Shrine Bowl weigh-ins, the Duke defensive lineman measured a shade under 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 296 pounds with 33.48-inch arms.

Hall lined up all over the field during the practice session, going from his usual spot as a 3-technique to an inside shade over the center, and as far out as a 5-technique.

Aaron Hall is an interesting prospect. Made some plays in 11v11. Quick disruptor. pic.twitter.com/uZIqdLORY5

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

I had a chance to catch up with Hall after practice, and he had an interesting perspective on his positional versatility.

Duke DT Aaron Hall Jr. said multiple coaching changes in college helped him adapt to different schemes.

Hall lined up at defensive end all day after playing primarily as an interior defender in college.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Hall elaborated on why he was so comfortable making the transition on short notice.

“I’m willing to do what it takes to win, and I think in College I have shown my versatility,” Hall said. “I went through three head coaches, four different defensive coordinators, and with each group, it was a new scheme and new terminology.”

Hall clarified that he started at Duke as a defensive end, but quickly moved inside to defensive tackle.

When asking him what his favorite pass rush move was, Hall wasted little time with his response.

“For me, it is some form of power conversion,” Hall told me. “That is one of the strengths that I do best, I wasn’t blessed with the 4.4 speed, but I feel most confident in my ability to rush with my power.”

He pointed to an All-Pro defensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts when asked which NFL player he wants to base his game after.

“DeForest Buckner is a guy who can really convert off those power moves with stab lifts, and stab rips,” Hall explained. “Especially with his length inside.”

Hall has a nice blend of length, short-area quickness, and power, which will give him a chance to compete for an NFL roster spot in 2026.

2. Darrell Jackson Jr, Florida State​

It is always interesting to see which players match their listed height and weight, and which have been propped up. Florida State has Jackson listed at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 337 pounds, and that was nearly his exact weigh-in figures at the Shrine Bowl: he weighed 328 pounds at the same height.

With 35-inch arms, the behemoth defensive tackle was one of the largest players at the Shrine Bowl, and could be one of the most highly-touted. There is the potential that Jackson could go inside the top 100 picks in the NFL Draft.

This week, he managed to show what he can do with his size and power.

Big bull rush from Darrell Jackson Jr pic.twitter.com/S4YvfmPxJa

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Jackson used his power and extension well in practice, and when I had a chance to talk to him, he revealed a little more about his game.

“ I like playing the shade, I like playing the one, I like playing the 2i, I like playing the three, I like playing the four, the 4i, and the five,” he confidently responded when I asked him, given his physical gifts, which position he would prefer to line up at.

Jacksons lined up primarily as an inside defender at Florida State, and this is where he will find himself once he is in the NFL.

“I feel comfortable in any scheme 4-3 or 3-4,” Jackson declared. “We played the 3-4 ar Maryland.”

The transfer portal has given a lot of players exposure to multiple schemes as well as different roles. This interchangeability, paired with the ability to be coachable, should be valued by NFL teams.

Given the influx of mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, I asked Jackson about containing these players, and he gave an insightful response.

Florida State DT Darrell Jackson said he is comfortable playing any posistion. When aksed about containing QB's he had this.
"Stay on the high shoulder side, & don't let them out of the pocket. "
He mentioned that if there is a spy it takes everyone being on the same page.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

“When you are playing a mobile quarterback, you probably have a spy, and you have to communicate with him when you are taking the inside, or when you are going to rush the outside shoulder,” Jackson explained. “At the end of the day, it comes down to communication. ”

This understanding of the bigger picture of a defensive scheme and game plan highlights good football IQ, as well as an unselfish player who will help his team win.

3. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana​

One of the best things about the Shrine Bowl is that it gives small-school prospects a chance to compete against higher-end competiton.

Proctor entered the Shrine Bowl as a relatively unknown player, but with solid play, he has been creating buzz.

Kaleb Proctor has some juice. pic.twitter.com/lk1ijqTRs1

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Measuring in at 6 feet 1 inch tall and 275 pounds, Proctor is undersized for an interior lineman, but an outstanding blend of explosion and quickness off the snap helped him to disrupt several snaps in practice.

Proctor recorded an impressive 16 career sacks, with nine coming during his final season for Southeastern Louisiana.

When I had a chance to sit down with him, he helped shed some light on his mindset as a small-school prospect.

“It’s not about proving it to anyone but myself,” Proctor said. “Because that is what is going to carry me through this process and get me to where I want to go.”

“The goal is I want to play the 3-technique position, I want to gain my weight, and keep playing that position, but I will rush from anywhere,” he responded when I asked about which position he prefers to play in the NFL.

When I asked what his favorite pass rush move was, he quickly responded, “double swipe”, saying it required a lot of quickness to pull off.

A day later, he used it on his first snap of one-on-one drills and displayed why there will be more buzz about him as the evaluation process continues.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans.../2026-shrine-bowl-3-defensive-linemen-to-know

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/23: Safety is Chiefs’ weakest position entering 2026

The latest​

Here are the Chiefs’ three weakest positions entering the 2026 NFL offseason | The Kansas City Star

1) Safety

Over the last decade or so, the Chiefs have kept the “safety train” moving, going from names like Tyrann Mathieu to Juan Thornhill to Justin Reid and now Bryan Cook. When one player moves along, the next tandem up seems ready and capable.

But this doesn’t feel like a back-end build that’s ready to move on without Cook.

Spagnuolo is known for designing a complex defense with rules and assignments that help disguise looks and confuse the opposing quarterback. In doing so, he asks his safeties to do a lot, and he trusts them to adjust depending on what they see.

Right or wrong, Spagnuolo likes Conner, who actually edged out Bolton for the team lead in defensive snaps. Conner plays everywhere, from the box to the nickel to dropping back as a free safety. When he was on the field in a limited role, Hicks was mostly used in the box.

How Patrick Mahomes is handling one of his greatest knee-rehab challenges: himself | The Kansas City Star

And that indomitable mindset we’ve seen play out over and over in Mahomes is both reassuring and the crux of any concern about his ambition to be on the field — “with no restrictions,” as he put it — to start the season.

Because there’s an emotional challenge between the urgency of returning vs. his long-term health, between being diligent and over-extending himself — as he could be apt to do, being the voracious competitor he is.

As he spoke about following the directions and protocols from surgeon Daniel Cooper through rehabilitation largely with Chiefs VP of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder, assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer and longtime personal trainer Bobby Stroupe, Mahomes used terms such as “they hold me back, because I always want to go a little further” and “as much as they’ll let me.”

Chiefs 2025 offense: What needs to be fixed (and what doesn’t) after disappointing year | The Athletic

When at his best in 2025, Mahomes didn’t hesitate. He had the quickest average time to throw of his career per Next Gen Stats (2.79 seconds), and many of his best performances lined up directly with the games he held onto it the shortest.

It was especially noticeable early. According to Pro Football Focus’ data, Mahomes passed to his first read on 83 percent, 79 percent, 83 percent and 82 percent of his throws in his first four games.

Over the rest of the season — his final 11 weeks — Mahomes surpassed 71 percent on his first-read throw percentage in just three other games.

Part of getting back to fast-fire offense, though, will be what Mahomes referenced earlier. Can the offense add more unpredictability and break tendencies enough to keep defenses guessing? And can the Chiefs find more answers against man coverage, which they struggled to shake this season?

Around the NFL​

The AP NFL MVP finalists are Allen, Lawrence, Maye, McCaffrey and Stafford | Associated Press

Allen, the reigning MVP, threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, posting a 102.2 passer rating while leading Buffalo to its seventh straight playoff appearance. He also ran for 14 TDs. The Bills were knocked out of the playoffs by Denver in the divisional round and fired coach Sean McDermott.

Lawrence helped Jacksonville win 13 games and the AFC South title. He had 4,007 yards passing, 29 TDs and 12 picks. The Jaguars were eliminated by the Bills in the wild-card round.

McCaffrey, an All-Purpose All-Pro, ran for 1,202 yards and 10 TDs and caught 102 passes for 924 yards and seven TDs. He played a key role in helping the injury-depleted San Francisco 49ers win 12 games. He’s a finalist for three awards this year, a feat last accomplished by Joe Burrow.

Ravens hire Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as head coach | The Athletic

Minter, 42, was immediately viewed as one of the favorites for the position, given the organization’s familiarity with him and his impressive two-year run as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh.

Minter was an assistant under John Harbaugh in Baltimore from 2017 to 2020, serving the final year as the Ravens’ defensive backs coach. He was a college defensive coordinator at Indiana State, Georgia State, Vanderbilt and Michigan, and he was part of the Wolverines’ national championship-winning staff during the 2023 season. He then followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, where he became one of the league’s fastest-rising assistants.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Chiefs’ decision on Trent McDuffie this offseason won’t be simple

The Case for Trading McDuffie

The counterargument begins with the same market realities. Cornerbacks are now being paid like elite receivers, and not all elite corners are valued equally. McDuffie is not a prototype boundary defender with rare size and length, and offenses have increasingly tested him with bigger receivers in contested situations.

In 2025, the results were mixed. McDuffie allowed more touchdowns and a higher passer rating in coverage than in his All-Pro seasons. While his overall tape remained strong, the efficiency dip provides leverage for teams hesitant to pay top-of-market money. It also justifies the Chiefs exploring alternatives.

Financially, the appeal of a trade is straightforward. Moving McDuffie would clear his entire $13.6 million cap hit from the 2026 books, a meaningful figure for a team that is routinely forced to maximize every dollar. That flexibility could be redirected toward the pass rush, offensive depth, or future extensions — all positions that tend to rise in cost.

Social media to make you think​

EB to the chiefs hm

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) January 22, 2026

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...2978/1-23-safety-chiefs-weakest-position-2026

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

2026 East-West Shrine Bowl: What to watch for as a Chiefs fan

Note: A special thanks to the staff at the East-West Shrine Bowl for generously hosting myself, contributing editor Ron Kopp Jr., and lead analyst Caleb James for this year’s event. The 101st edition of the game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. Arrowhead Time on Tuesday, January 27th, at the Ford Center in Frisco, TX. The game will air live on NFL Network.

The offseason started earlier than the Kansas City Chiefs expected, and this year will likely mark the most important draft of general manager Brett Veach’s tenure.

This year’s East-West Shrine Bowl will mark the first big step of the scouting process for this year’s draft, with the Senior Bowl soon following before the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February.

The Chiefs’ scouting department has traditionally taken the event very seriously. Cornerback Nohl Williams, the team’s third-round selection from last April, was on last season’s roster. In addition, Esa Pole, who started Kansas City’s final five games at left tackle, participated in 2025.

Let’s look at some players from this year’s game who might interest the Chiefs based on this offseason’s likely positional needs. Of local interest, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is one of the three passers for the East team.

Offensive weapons​

One of the game’s best fits for the Chiefs, Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne, was injured in Friday’s practice and sadly will not participate. Ryan Fowler, formerly of The Draft Network, reported that Claiborne did meet with the Chiefs at the event and should be ready for the combine. The play on which he suffered injury, however, demonstrated his great fit for head coach Andy Reid’s offense.

Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne runs the wheel route and goes up to complete the catch at a height of 5092 pic.twitter.com/66lGFZaSaP

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

At the week’s practices, the tight end group stood out. The headliners are Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon and Jack Endries of Texas, who both showed off the ability to use their height to come down with tough catches. The less heralded players from the group also had big weeks, and you can read about three sleepers at the position we were able to speak with here.

Texas TE Jack Endries with a tough catch over Arizona S Dalton Johnson pic.twitter.com/hjwhW3YxTt

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

This year’s game does not boast heavy star power at wide receiver. A small school deep sleeper may be Jalen Walthall out of Incarnate Word, who received a combine invitation this week. LSU’s Zavion Thomas had an underwhelming four seasons (split with Mississippi State), but he was consistently one of the fastest offensive players and made multiple big grabs throughout the week.

Nice little one-handed grab by LSU WR Zavion Thomas. He’s had a nice first practice so far. pic.twitter.com/dEjPMu86ZP

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 23, 2026

The Chiefs may need five quarterbacks for training camp as superstar Patrick Mahomes recovers from a torn ACL. Don’t be surprised if a passer from the Shrine Bowl or Saturday’s Senior Bowl sneaks his way onto the fringes of Kansas City’s roster.

Offensive Line​

It is unclear how aggressive the Chiefs will be in addressing the offensive line, with the starters largely settled and several now-experienced backups under team control for multiple seasons. One possibility on Day 3 could be adding a backup guard candidate, with 2024 draft selection Hunter Nourzad unable to pass the underwhelming Mike Caliendo on the depth chart. Georgia’s Micah Morris had a great week and could offer good value in the middle rounds.

Great snap from Micha Morris. Physically imposing player. pic.twitter.com/3nZEi8Jb9U

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Defensive line and linebackers​

Linebacker is arguably this draft’s best position group, and the sample of players in Frisco did not disappoint. Unfortunately, LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. and Texas A&M’s Taurean York departed the event early and will not participate. With a dynamic interception, a lesser-known name who stood out while we were there: Miami of Ohio’s Jackson Kuwatch.

Great play by Miami (OH) LB Jackson Kuwatch pic.twitter.com/pLm7tbZFpj

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 23, 2026

One of the most interesting players will be USC off-ball linebacker Eric Gentry, measuring in at 6 feet 6 inches tall. Predictably, his college film shows limitations in the run game due to his height, but he put on a show in Texas, batting down passes.

#USC LB Eric Gentry gets a pass deflections on back to back plays during the team session at the Shrine Bowl. pic.twitter.com/5FO98VxNHr

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 24, 2026

The defensive tackle group was especially impressive. Florida State’s 328-pound Darrell Jackson Jr. was imposing and is a good bet to be the game’s top drafted player. You can read more about Jackson and two other interior options who impressed Caleb here.

A strong riser from the event is Navy’s Landon Robinson, who dominated in one-on-ones and reportedly had a formal meeting with the Chiefs.

Stop me if you've heard this before – another Landon Robinson pressure during team drills in what would have been a sack. His strength to push OL hands away and acceleration is ELITE. Big day for the Navy defensive lineman. #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/awcwr5QZBp

— Thomas Christopher (@TommyCFB) January 25, 2026

No position sees teams gambling on traits more than at edge rushers, and scouts may be taking a fresh look at Oklahoma’s Marvin Jones Jr. Despite only totaling eight sacks in four seasons split between blue blood programs, Jones showed off the athleticism that made him a coveted five-star recruit only a few years ago.

Marvin Jones Jr speed to power pic.twitter.com/7ZBUzBODIw

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Secondary​

History suggests a high probability of seeing a future Kansas City defensive back on Tuesday night.

One player who impressed us was Vanderbilt’s Kolbey Taylor, who boasts an 80-inch wingspan. He appeared sticky in coverage and showed the willingness to come up in run support that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo covets.

Vanderbilt’s Kolbey Taylor is having a nice showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Patient and mirrors well at LOS.

Taylor led Vanderbilt in forced incompletions this past season (5). pic.twitter.com/fSHfG7xFdI

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 25, 2026

Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski made some nice plays and was also a big winner of the week’s practices. Wisniewski could sneak his way into the late Day 2 mix in April.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans.../chiefs-fans-watch-2026-east-west-shrine-bowl

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ Andy Reid is ‘fired up’ about new staff: ‘Change can be good’

For the first time in eight years, the Kansas City Chiefs were not involved in Sunday’s NFL doubleheader of conference championships. Head coach Andy Reid has been a staple of both the AFC and NFC title games throughout his career, so with his 2025 team unable to even make the postseason, a change around him was not a surprising result.

The offensive coordinator spot has officially been turned over to Eric Bienemy, despite former coordinator Matt Nagy still searching for his next job. In total, five positions on the offensive coaching staff have been vacated since the end of last season. So far, the only official hire is Bienemy, but Reid made it clear he’s excited about the new chapter during a Zoom call with local media on Monday.

Andy's got great energy in this presser. Good to see him so lively. He's ready to get back to work

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 26, 2026

After a few spirited answers, Reid was asked about the noticeable energy in his words.

“I’m fired up to get in this offseason and get going,” Reid responded. “We didn’t do very well this past year, and that has not been our MO here. So I want to fix the problems we had in all phases. There will be people that move on, people that come in… change can be good sometimes for you, so that’s what I’m fired up about.”

Some will point at Bieniemy’s history with Reid and Kansas City as hardly a “change,” but his style is objectively different than Nagy’s. Reid acknowledged that and emphasized how Bieniemy straightforwardly communicates with players and coaches, including star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I’d tell you EB will be very direct with him,” Reid shared. “[Mahomes] knows it’s coming from a place of knowledge there.”

Still, there will be criticism that the change needed was in reference to his offensive scheme. Reid would agree that it needs a refresh — or a retooling, as he foreshadowed in December — so that’s what he hopes the newest hires help with.

“Everywhere you go in this business, you pick something up,” Reid explained. “You might take it with you, or you might say, ‘I don’t want to do that.‘”

“I welcome that, I always keep my ears and eyes open for things,” Reid assured. “That’s why we’re very seldom stagnant, and why, even with our record, I felt I could stand in front of you guys and go ‘listen, what worked for us the year before, it just flipped on us.’ That’s sometimes how this thing works, so now it’s making sure we get back and do the right things, correct some things, and then get them going in the right direction again.”

In the modern age of accessible information, Reid reminded those listening that new ideas can be introduced without further hiring. It just takes effort and willingness.

“You use all the technology that’s out there,” Reid pointed out. “There is no reason to be stagnant; you have too many different options, you shouldn’t have to bring in the latest, greatest here and there, all that. You have all that right at a finger tip for you, if you go that route.”

There will likely be little change in the chain of command for calling a play into Mahomes, but that’s because it is already a collaborative process. The positive change will simply be the new voices.

“I still enjoy calling plays,” Reid admitted. “But what I do, I’m also not afraid to delegate and get opinions from people. Even in certain situations, letting them go ahead and call things in different areas. We do this jointly. I keep it open, and I’ve felt that’s the best way. I want guys to contribute, I want them to work hard and be experts in their area, and then accumulate in all areas. I’ve always mixed and matched there, and it seemed to have been fairly productive.”

The change is welcomed by many in Kansas City. The head coach’s enthusiasm and upbeat energy when talking about the transition prove that it is already reinvigorating the people it needs to.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...dy-reid-fired-up-new-staff-change-can-be-good

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ Clark Hunt talks Mahomes’ rehab, hopes Kelce plays in 2026

For the first time in a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs are spending January off the field after finishing 2025 at 6-11 and failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Clark Hunt, the team’s chairman and CEO, appeared on Tuesday’s edition of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network. Hunt made clear he expects missing the postseason for only the second time under head coach Andy Reid to merely be a one-year absence.

“We’re excited about the challenge that we have now of getting back,” said Hunt. “We still have a great roster. We still have Andy Reid and a really outstanding coaching staff. We are going to work very hard in 2026 to make sure that we are part of the playoffs and hopefully part of the Super Bowl.”

Much of what can be accomplished in 2026 rests in the health of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a torn ACL in December. Hunt knows it is too early to put a firm timeline on Mahomes’ return, but he has been impressed with how the face of the league has handled the early stage of his recovery.

“I was with Patrick a couple of days ago in our training room,” recalled Hunt, “watching him go through the work that he’s doing to get back onto the field with the rehab. Nobody works harder than Patrick. He certainly has a goal of being back for the beginning of the season. I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s somebody in the past who has healed quickly. Again, his work ethic I think gives him a huge advantage of getting back and being ready to play in 2026.

Whether Kansas City’s 2026 season is a success or failure may also be impacted by whether 36-year-old tight end Travis Kelce returns for a 14th season. Hunt hopes the future Pro Football Hall of Fame member puts off retirement for another year, but he will happily give Kelce time to make the decision. Kelce’s upcoming wedding to superstar singer Taylor Swift could also affect his timing this offseason.

“As an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt remarked. “He had another great year. Maybe not on part with where he was four or five years ago, but he still had over 800 yards and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So, there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play. We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision. He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage. So, we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision, but we certainly hope that he’ll be back.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ahomes-rehab-hopes-travis-kelce-plays-in-2026