RSS Chiefs Team Notes

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs free agents 2026: Travis Kelce, Leo Chenal lead list

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 12: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 and wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NFL season concluded on Super Bowl Sunday with the Seattle Seahawks’ victory. 31 other teams are chomping at the bit to prepare for the 2026 season.

In just over a month, this year’s class of unrestricted free agents will be available to negotiate contracts with other teams on the open market. Wednesday, March 11th, is the first day of the new league year, although the “legal tampering” window opens on Monday of that week.

Before that, NFL teams will have to make decisions on which pending free agents to use the Franchise Tag on. The window to designate that player is between February 17th and March 3rd.

The Kansas City Chiefs are already busy shaping up the roster for next season. For fans, the first step is knowing which players ended the season with the team, but are not on the 90-man offseason roster currently, as they prepare for free agency.

Here’s the list:

The Chiefs’ pending 2026 free agents​

Tight end Travis Kelce
Linebacker Leo Chenal
Cornerback Jaylen Watson
Safety Bryan Cook

These are the headliners, with the question of retirement being an added layer to the top name on the list. Travis Kelce attended the festivities surrounding Super Bowl LX, and the conversations from the week have created a report that he and the team will be communicating soon.

The remaining three players — all three starters on the Chiefs’ defense — should be seeking multi-year deals with long-term security. With Kansas City’s cap situation, it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs being the team to offer that to all three of them.

Wide receiver Hollywood Brown
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton
Running back Kareem Hunt
Running back Isiah Pacheco
Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster

This group of skill-position players will be interesting to follow. Through two seasons, Brown has not quite tapped into the impact he was projected to make with the Chiefs, whether it’s his health or his quarterback’s. He feels like a candidate for a one-year, prove-it deal again, even if it isn’t a return to Kansas City. Hunt and Smith-Schuster appear to be in a similar boat.

On the flip side, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton could take advantage of an upstart fourth season as a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even while it felt he could be featured more in the Chiefs’ pass offense, Thornton set career-high marks in receiving yards (438), touchdowns (3) and first downs (15). He led all qualified pass catchers with 23.1 yards per reception for the 2025 season.

Thornton may earn a payday on the open market, and it will be interesting to see if Pacheco has done enough in his career to secure a contract that suggests he will continue as a starting back in the league.

Defensive end Charles Omenihu
Defensive tackle Mike Pennel
Defensive tackle Jerry Tillery
Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi

This group of veteran defensive linemen has been fascinating to monitor over the years. Multiple names on this list have been re-signed to one-year deals in past offseasons to continue in Kansas City. It’s clear that guys like Pennel and Nnadi are trusted by the coaching staff, but younger players with more potential need to replace the roles filled by this group at some point.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew
Linebacker Jack Cochrane
Running back Dameon Pierce
Cornerback Joshua Williams
Cornerback Nazeeh Johnson
Tight end Robert Tonyan
Safety Mike Edwards
Safety Deon Bush
Defensive end Janarius Robinson
Long snapper James Winchester

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This is the Chiefs’ unrestricted free agent class of 2026. Who do you think the team should re-sign? Which players feel more likely than others? Let us know in the comments and The Feed as we kick off free agency coverage this week.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...free-agents-2026-travis-kelce-hollywood-brown

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

AP Mailbag: What is the Chiefs’ salary cap philosophy?

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Welcome back to the Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Throughout the offseason, watch for your opportunity to submit your Kansas City Chiefs questions in The Feed, which is found on AP’s home page.

After Super Bowl LX, the NFL offseason is officially underway. Right now, the Chiefs appear about $58 million over the expected 2026 salary cap with 54 players signed. Let’s see what is on our readers’ minds about how Kansas City navigates the limit.

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OzarkEd asks:​

My question is very basic. To an outsider it appears to be a very complex calculation to determine a team’s total cap hit in a season. Yet, it also appears rather simple to restructure contracts to clear up needed cap space. What’s the point of having a salary cap if all a team that’s $50+ million over has to do is restructure a few contracts?

The NFL introduced the salary cap in 1994, which then was an astounding $34.6 million per team. The league’s owners have done a remarkable job of spinning that it is good for competitive balance. The cynic in me suspects that, truly, the owners wanted to control spending and have a mechanism to police each other from letting contracts get out of hand.

Initially, the salary cap closely resembled actual team budgets. Over the last 30 years, however, lucrative national broadcast contracts have put the league’s teams on equal footing. As such, teams have been freer over the last decade to push the boundaries of the salary cap.

Significant signing bonuses used to be rare outside of football’s elite talent. Now, the first year of almost every free agent deal is built around a signing bonus — that can be spread over up to five years — to manage the cap. Void years that make a two-year deal look like a five-year pact on paper for cap purposes will be covered later.

I am not one to say the cap is fake, but it has proven easily manipulated. One area that teams have had less success skirting is the league’s funding rule, which requires owners to immediately secure most future guaranteed salary on contracts via deposit in an escrow account. Every team has proven willing to test the limits of the salary cap. Not every ownership group is eager to repeatedly shell out needed cash for excessive spending.

The funding rule, more than the salary cap, is the reason for the currently perceived haves and have-nots.

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nmt1 asks:​

I’d like to understand why the Chiefs seem to be constantly in cap trouble whereas other teams always seem to be able to pretty much do whatever they want. I just don’t understand why some teams, like the Chiefs, are always strapped and others never seem to be.

To refer to the previous question, the Chiefs appear to have a firmer cash budget than some of the teams that are annually cited as free agency’s biggest winners.

General manager Brett Veach’s approach to the salary cap has been somewhat clear since the big money on quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ extension started kicking in around 2023.

The Chiefs value flat contracts. Examples are tackle Jawaan Taylor’s contract, paying exactly $20 million each year in Kansas City, or linebacker Nick Bolton’s deal that pays him $15 million annually. The earnings on the first year of each contract are mostly via a signing bonus that spreads the first-year earnings over the life of the contract. Thus, most of Kansas City’s big-money free agents see the salary cap impact of the contract’s second year increase dramatically.

The Chiefs also tend to spend their salary cap space a year ahead of time. Later in the week, we will cover the moves I expect Kansas City to make to get under the cap and have some room to add free agents. Spotrac estimates that the team has about $80.8 million in hypothetical 2027 salary cap space. Much of that will be allocated this spring as free agents are added.

This process has repeatedly led to the Chiefs rarely having significant salary cap space to roll into the next season and annually looking stretched thin financially. However, Veach and his crew have been good at stacking contracts (and having multiple restructure avenues) in a way that avoids any true salary cap crisis.

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EdPodolak asks:​

Why don’t the Chiefs like to use voidable years? Are the Chiefs being consistently low on “dead money” part of that?

For definition, void years are fake seasons added onto a contract to spread out signing bonuses that nullify at the start of a given league year. A player can sign a two-year contract for $30 million. A team can then designate most of the earnings as a signing bonus. The team could then add three “void” years onto the contract to greatly reduce the initial cap hit. The downside is that the rest of the signing bonus will accelerate when the player reenters free agency and be charged as “dead money” on the salary cap, even though the team would owe no more actual money to the player.

The Chiefs have not jumped on this trend that the Philadelphia Eagles seem to excel at. Time will tell if the yearly increases to the cap are enough to keep the Eagles’ bills from coming due in a way that puts them into a horrific cap situation.

While Kansas City generally avoids pushing cap charges into the future via void years, the post-2027 portion of Mahomes’ 10-year contract mostly serves the same purpose. Unless you believe Mahomes will willingly play in 2028 for less than $28 million (he won’t), the remainder of his deal serves little current purpose other than restructuring massive cap charges to manage current free agency.

Tight end Travis Kelce will be an interesting case. He is a free agent who will require a new contract if he returns in 2026. Should he play again, I suspect the Chiefs will be more willing to use void years to pay Kelce a fair salary while maintaining flexibility. I would also expect him to be nominally signed through 2028 to allow the Chiefs some cap relief if his retirement was processed after June 1, 2027.

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PettyMahomes asks:​

How badly has Veach hamstrung the Chiefs by trying to retain many of his drafted talent at non-premium positions – LB Nick Bolton, C Creed Humphrey, G Trey Smith? Or will the ability to do simple restructures on these contracts to make them tenable in the short term?

The biggest reasons the Chiefs seem hamstrung against the cap are massive, currently scheduled cap hits for Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones. The two cap numbers combine to be over $123 million. With the pair scheduled to earn almost $92 million, there is a limit to what can be done to minimize the cap impact.

I see a lot of criticism for Veach regarding contracts for Bolton and the two interior linemen (as well as defensive end George Karlaftis). Provided the Chiefs continue to find contributors on rookie deals, I don’t think these contracts are significant problems. Veach has shown a willingness to reward players who dependably take on high snap counts.

Bolton’s three-year contract has minimal room for restructure. Should the Chiefs take a value swing at linebacker in April’s draft, however, they would easily be able to move on from Bolton in 2027 with less than $5 million in deal money.

Smith’s $23 million per season contract is not out of line with the current guard market. He could be a candidate to be restructured for cap room, though that could potentially make his 2027 cap number exceed $34 million. At any rate, Smith’s contract is structured to give the Chiefs flexibility to move off of the final season in 2028 if the team so chooses.

Humphrey is likely to be Mahomes’ center as long as the quarterback wants to receive snaps from him. By getting on his deal early, the Chiefs were able to defer Humphrey’s large cap hit until the upcoming season. He is also an option to restructure, although he might again find himself an extension candidate a year from now.

The Chiefs have been wise with structure when taking care of their own talent, although players at premium positions will prove a bigger test. Whether cornerback Trent McDuffie is extended or traded is among this offseason’s biggest questions. Should left tackle Josh Simmons pick back up as one of the league’s best in 2026, the clock will instantly start ticking to the 2028 offseason, when he would become extension eligible.

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Thank you for reading this week’s Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Later in the week, we will have a look at the Chiefs’s options for cap relief. Keep watching The Feed for an opportunity to ask your questions for our next offseason edition.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kansas-city-chiefs-roster/194075/chiefs-mailbag-week-23-salary-cap

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Exploring the Chiefs’ options at tight end this offseason

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: Travis Kelce #87 and Noah Gray #83 of the Kansas City Chiefs take a moment during the NFL 2025 game between Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The tight end room for the Kansas City Chiefs might look different in 2026. Travis Kelce is a free agent mulling retirement, and there is nothing settled about the room around him.

The Chiefs must make offseason moves to boost the impact of tight ends next season. First, let’s discuss where the team should move forward with tight ends in the offensive scheme.

What the team needs ​

Since Kelce is either at or near the end of his career, it’s the right time to evaluate what the team needs from that position group moving forward.

The first thing I want to see: more depth at tight end. The best offenses in the NFL now feature multiple tight ends making an impact in 12 or 13 personnel, creating matchup advantages. It adds layers to offense and can help dictate what the defense does.

The Chiefs’ depth at tight end over the past three seasons hasn’t been good enough. Particularly, this shows up in blocking, which has been a limitation of the offense. The unit can’t play the tight ends in line, even though some of that has been by preference: head coach Andy Reid prefers calling shotgun-based runs to enable the run-pass option game.

However, even if the Chiefs tried getting under center and running more downhill runs, there would be challenges because the tight ends cannot handle the key block on edge defenders.

Kansas City needs to find a tight end similar to Brock Wright from the Detroit Lions. Wright doesn’t catch many passes and is cheap, but he’s critical to run and pass blocking.

The Chiefs can also acquire pass-catching depth at tight end, especially as Kelce leaves or declines, but the focus should be on unlocking the run game with tight ends.

Current Roster Decisions​

Kelce is a free agent, so the Chiefs would need to negotiate a contract with him if he is to return, but who knows what his price would be.

If Kelce wants to return, then the Chiefs should find a way to make this work. Even with everything that went wrong last year, Kelce still had a good season. In fact, I believe his performance in 2025 was better than either 2024 or 2023. That doesn’t mean 2026 will be as good as 2025, but he can still contribute to the offense, on top of continuing to be a valued member of the locker room.

The question will be how large his role is, which is hard to answer without knowing the other moves the team makes. Ideally, Kelce is more of a part-time player in the regular season, being used on third downs and when Kansas City wants to get into heavier personnel and go under center. Kelce is best at finding space on a free release, so using play action can help make his job easier.

Regardless of what happens with Kelce, it shouldn’t change the decision to release Noah Gray, which would save the Chiefs $3.97 million. Gray finished last season with 178 receiving yards. The Chiefs can find 178 receiving yards for cheaper than that, and Gray limits what the run game can do.

The other tight ends on the roster are Jared Wiley, Tre Watson, and Jake Briningstool. All three of these guys are fighting for roster spots and shouldn’t be counted on to play snaps next year.

Free Agent Options​

If Kelce doesn’t return, the Chiefs could splurge at tight end. Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is definitely the best receiving option, but he’s not a helpful blocker, and he will be expensive. Kansas City may not be able to be the top bid.

Isaiah Likely from the Baltimore Ravens is also an option for a receiving tight end, and an exciting one at that. Likely doesn’t bring blocking talent to the Chiefs, but he’s a smooth route runner who can make absurd catches.

A couple of veteran options are Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku or Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. Goedert doesn’t excite me as much with his injury history, but he is a true Y-tight end that can block. Njoku has more playmaking ability, but he could be expensive at 29 years old still.

To find cheap blocking depth, Kansas City could look at Chicago Bears tight end Durham Smythe, Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar, or Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox.

Draft Options​

Without in-depth knowledge of this year’s draft class, the top is interesting. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is a vertical tight end who can stretch defenses, but he’s also fluid and can create separation on routes. He’s going to be best at stretching the seam, but he can do more; Oregon used him as an X-receiver as well.

However, there are some warts in Sadiq’s package. He is strong and competes as a blocker, but he is short and lacks notable length. He would have potential limitations translating to an in-line tight end. It doesn’t mean he is not a worthwhile draft prospect, but it does change whether he is a smart choice for the ninth-overall pick.

If the Chiefs want to draft a tight end on Day 2, here could be some options:

• Max Klare, Ohio State
• Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
• Jack Endries, Texas
• Michael Trigg, Baylor
• Eli Raridon, Notre Dame

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans.../exploring-chiefs-options-tight-end-offseason

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

B/R Mock draft matches Chiefs with a potentially ‘dominant’ receiver

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) scores a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

We are still less than two weeks away from the NFL Draft cycle kicking into high gear at the Scouting Combine, but the Kansas City Chiefs will be more interested in the top of the draft class than ever with the ninth-overall selection.

The NFL scouting department at Bleacher Report authored a first-round mock draft that matched the Chiefs with one of the most polarizing players in the draft.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

As long as Patrick Mahomes is at quarterback, the Kansas City Chiefs can compete at the highest level. Right now, he isn’t healthy and the team is coming off its worst season since he took over the offense.

As a result, the Chiefs have an opportunity to add a top talent and get everything back on track.

In this instance, they have their choice of wide receivers to give Mahomes a more consistent threat.

Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson can be a dominant NFL wide receiver, as long as he remains healthy after suffering multiple collegiate injuries.

“Tyson’s medicals will be highly anticipated at the Scouting Combine in a few weeks,” Parson said. “Depending on those results, he’s the most skilled wide receiver in the draft. Tyson’s blend of dynamism, short-area quickness and route-running upside fits well with Andy Reid calling plays. The Chiefs need a potential difference-maker at wide receiver, and Tyson offers exactly that.”

My analysis​

In this mock draft, Tyson is the first receiver off the board, with Carnell Tate of Ohio State still available. Those appear to be the most likely selections if Kansas City is motivated to draft a no.1 wide receiver for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

By consensus, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon is also in range of a top-10 pick, but he fits a similar mold to what the Chiefs have been employing at wide receiver.

Wish he'd separate easier against physical coverage — but there's no denying how much of a downfield threat Tate is off free releases pic.twitter.com/TVfv19lmNM

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) February 8, 2026

Tate profiles as the downfield threat that the Chiefs need to unlock the deep-passing attack again. He is great at the catch point, shows high-level awareness of body positioning on the sideline and understands how to manipulate back-pedaling defensive backs.

There are a lot of positives to the 6-foot-3 playmaker, but Tate was the number-two receiver alongside phenom Jeremiah Smith, who will likely be one of the first picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. He excels against off-coverage that allows him free releases; he does not separate from tight coverage as easily as the Chiefs need from the ninth-overall selection.

#Chiefs need a real separator at the WR position, someone who can get themselves open

Jordyn Tyson has the moves to be that guy pic.twitter.com/GZThsXPetH

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) February 11, 2026

On the other hand, Tyson flashes separation ability throughout the games he has played at Arizona State and Colorado over the last four years. He appears to be the strongest fit for what Kansas City desires to pair with receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, but reviews of his medical history at the Combine could make or break Tyson’s stock.

As a freshman in 2022, Tyson played in nine games for the Buffaloes before tearing his ACL, MCL and PCL, forcing him to miss the remainder of that season and 2023. He transferred to play with the Sun Devils in 2024 and became the number-one receiver over 12 games before suffering an upper-body injury that forced him to miss the Big 12 championship and the College Football Playoff. It was later revealed to be a broken collarbone.

This past season, Tyson suffered a hamstring injury in October that forced him to miss time, then left the late-November game against Arizona due to injury.

The list of injuries could end up being a red flag, but the Chiefs have done their homework in prior draft classes to find talented players in this category, like right guard Trey Smith and left tackle Josh Simmons, even if each has different circumstances.

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Does Tyson’s injury history scare you away from this pick? Do you prefer Tate or Lemon to boost the receiving corps? Let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-matches-chiefs-potentially-dominant-receiver

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

REPORT: Chiefs will hire DeMarco Murray as running backs coach

Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray during the Red River Showdown college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Texas won 49-0. Lx18797

The offensive coaching staff of the Kansas City Chiefs has experienced plenty of change this offseason, and now, the staff reset feels complete with the reported hire of a new running backs coach.

Sources: The #Chiefs are hiring former NFL RB and current Oklahoma RBs coach DeMarco Murray as their RBs coach on Andy Reid’s staff.

Murray has been coaching on the college level since 2019 and now makes the jump to the NFL. pic.twitter.com/wytgW1nstm

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 12, 2026

According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs will be hiring DeMarco Murray, the former NFL running back who has been on staff at the University of Oklahoma as running backs coach since 2020. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported Murray as an emerging candidate earlier on Wednesday evening.

After a seven-year NFL career that featured three Pro Bowl seasons and a 2014 campaign worthy of the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year award for the Dallas Cowboys, Murray spent one season analyzing college football in 2018 before joining the coaching staff at the University of Arizona.

He quickly moved on in his coaching journey to his alma mater, Oklahoma, where he was once a first-team All-Big 12 running back and developed into a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

At the age of 30, Murray retired from the NFL with 7,174 career rushing yards and 49 career rushing touchdowns, and he will be 38 years old in his first season as an NFL coach.

Murray will join Chiefs wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea as brand-new position coaches for the franchise, setting a tone for the second stint with Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. Kansas City had requested to interview Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough, who was formerly in Kansas City occupying that role, but it appears he will continue under the Raiders’ new head coach, Klay Kubiak.

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How do you feel about the reported hire? Let us know in the comments!

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...hiefs-hire-demarco-murray-running-backs-coach

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Oklahoma perspective on Chiefs’ DeMarco Murray: ‘Old-school mentality’

Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray walks on the sideline during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

On Wednesday evening, a report broke indicating the Kansas City Chiefs will be hiring Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray to the same position. As he turns 38 years old today, Murray is seemingly ready to leap from collegiate coaching to the NFL after seven years (six at his alma mater).

The former AP Offensive Player of the Year for the Dallas Cowboys was first an All-Big 12 back for the Sooners, and took a lot of pride coaching this generation of Oklahoma running backs. That was clear from a segment on 96.5 The Fan Thursday morning, when co-hosts Bob Fescoe and Dusty Likins interviewed Jesse Crittenden, an Oklahoma beat reporter and editor for OU Insider.

Crittenden began by emphasizing how tough a decision this may have been for Murray.

“He’s coming to Kansas City because he wants to be there, specifically,” Crittenden began. “I think it’s important to know that DeMarco Murray is an OU guy… he has been at OU for the last six years and has loved being at his alma mater. He has been chased by a lot of top programs, and even some NFL programs, over the last few years, but continued to stay at OU because he loved to be there so much.”

“I think this jump to Kansas City is because he wants to be there,” Crittenden emphasized. “He wants to be with the Chiefs, he wants to be on Andy Reid’s staff, and I think he is excited about jumping from college football to the NFL.“

The beat reporter elaborated, mentioning that big-time programs like Ohio State and Michigan — even the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL — have shown interest in Murray before. Yet, when the Chiefs reached out, it was hard to turn down.

“Andy Reid and that staff reached out to OU and [head coach] Brett Venables in the last few days once he became a real target for the Chiefs staff,” Crittenden said. “I think he really thought about staying at OU despite how exciting that opportunity was. I think the opportunity to coach under Andy Reid and be on that staff was a real thing for him. I think the culture in Kansas City, obviously, the success they’ve had over the last several years, played a huge role for him.”

“As much as I think he likes the idea of jumping to the NFL, he wasn’t going to do it for just any reason,” Crittenden declared. “If he was going to do that, he could’ve done it a few years ago… For him, it’s not only the jump to the NFL, but I think it’s the opportunity to learn on that staff and develop himself as a coach.”

When asked about Murray’s performance as the running backs coach from 2020 to 2025, Crittenden acknowledged it was not all highs with no lows. However, it seemed to start with two anecdotes of development.

“His first couple of seasons, in 2020 and 2021, the running game was good; he developed guys like Rhammondre Stevenson,” Crittenden reflected. “Even in 2022… Eric Gray was one of the best runners in college football that season and eventually got drafted, and that kind of came out of nowhere. Eric Gray kind of went from a change-of-pace back guy to a true, bellcow running back and was one of the biggest bright spots that season.”

“You look at the last three years, and he has done really well as a recruiter,” Crittenden continued. “He has done a really good job of getting young talent in the door, but there have definitely been some ups and downs with that.”

Interesting that DeMarco Murray draws the blame for OU’s run game and not the two head coaches and four offensive coordinators in six years running two Air Raid schemes and two spread schemes.

Context is king. Murray is well respected and Chiefs aren’t the first NFL team to… https://t.co/v2MttlBXfe

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) February 12, 2026

With that fact in mind, Fescoe and Likins asked if there was anything to an Oklahoma fan’s input from the text line that Murray was a “hard-nosed” coach, similar to new Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

“I think there’s real excitement from DeMarco to be with Bieniemy, as well,” Crittenden noted. “There is definitely a hard-nosed component to it. Even a couple of years ago, maybe the best OU running back, Tawee Walker, missed a game because he kind of got into a verbal altercation with DeMarco Murray. When you talk to players that have been in the program, he definitely coaches really, really hard.”

“Even this last year, OU added Jadyn Ott out of Cal,” Crittenden continued. “I think Jadyn Ott was easily one of the biggest transfer-portal players in the country. When OU got him, it was a big deal: he was on All-SEC preseason teams, I think a lot of people were expecting him to be a 1,000-yard rusher… You get to the end of the year, and he didn’t have 100 rushing yards. He barely played, and I think some of that was… once you got in the door, did you work hard enough? Did you fit the system well enough? He barely stepped on the field.”

Ott was a standout at this year’s Senior Bowl, leading to further questions about why he didn’t make an impact for the Sooners in 2025.

It’s clear the match with Bieniemy, Reid and Kansas City sold Murray on leaving Norman, Oklahoma. However it came to fruition, Crittenden believes it will be a strong move for the Chiefs.

“There’s kind of an old-school kind of mentality that he brings, and I do think that could be a real asset to the Chiefs in the NFL.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ve-chiefs-demarco-murray-old-school-mentality

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs hire former coach who Chris Jones has given a lot of credit

ST. JOSEPH, MO - AUGUST 12: Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) smiles as he walks to the field before the start of practice during training camp on August 12, 2025 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs seemingly added to the coaching staff with two hires — but one has been further confirmed by local media. Friend of the site Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star followed up with confirmation on a report by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports that a former Chiefs coach was returning to the defensive staff.

Terry Braden is indeed headed back to the #Chiefs, a source confirmed to The Star: https://t.co/Ipeq9UbYPb https://t.co/iIZi7sGRxP

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) February 12, 2026

After one season with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Terry Bradden will return to the NFL and Kansas City as an assistant defensive line coach. That was the role he occupied for the Chiefs from 2021 to 2024, following time as a defensive quality control coach.

Bradden made an impact on Chiefs’ All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones during his time in Kansas City. In the lead-up to a game in the 2022 regular season — the year Jones was honored as first-team All-Pro for the first time — Jones credited his position coaches for recent success. This is from an article on Chiefs.com.

The Chiefs have 35 sacks this season as a team, which ranks fifth in the NFL and already bests Kansas City’s sack total from all of last year (31). It’s collectively been one of the best pass-rushes in the league, and though the Chiefs’ personnel along the defensive line features many of the same players from last season, Jones insists that the difference this year is two guys: Defensive Line Coach Joe Cullen and Assistant Defensive Line Coach Terry Bradden.

“We have some of the best coaches in the building, and we’re just very fortunate,” Jones said. “We have a very good group. [It’s] a very young group, [and we have] a lot of hungry guys in our room…[They] want to show that they belong in this league.”

That formula has worked well so far this season, as 13 different players have recorded at least one sack on the year. Seven of those players are members of the defensive line, which only re-enforces the impact of Cullen and Bradden on this year’s group.

“I think between both of those guys, the players have responded to them,” said Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “I’m glad that the big guys have responded to [their style], and hopefully, we keep cranking away and playing good football.”

Following the second time Jones was named first-team All-Pro in 2023, Jones named Cullen and Bradden to give credit. He expressed his gratitude during a Wednesday press conference leading up to the 2023 NFL Divisional Round.

“Give credit to my coaches, Joe Cullen, and Terry Bradden,” Jones said to local media. “The commitment those guys force out of me, and the players in the room push me beyond measure. ”I think a leader can’t be a leader without great teammates; it takes an army to be great, and those guys push the best out of me each and every day to get the best out of me. I don’t think I can accomplish something like that of that measure without having great teammates and guys who push the best out of me day in and day out.”

In training camp leading up to the 2024 season, Jones used his leadership to emphasize how important it is to absorb Cullen and Bradden’s coaching. Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star pointed that out at the time.

“We out there, we shooting with technique. Cause when you get tired, the thing you rely on is what the coaches do: technique, whether it’s bad technique or good technique. Coach Joe and Terry can teach all this, but at the end of the day, it depends on us. We gotta hold each other accountable. You know what I’m saying? Enjoy today, learn from it and because tomorrow, it’s a whole new day. But hell of a day, man. I don’t want to take anything away from it, will you build off of that and keep grinding dogs.”

After one season away from the Chiefs, Bradden will come back under Spagnuolo and Cullen. The evidence suggests Chris Jones will approve of the move as well.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...fs-hire-former-coach-chris-jones-given-credit

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

How the Chiefs will find 2026 salary cap space before March 11

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 22: Brett Veach, general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, watches pregame warmups prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On January 30, the NFL informed clubs that the 2026 salary cap would be set between $301.2 million and $305.7 million.

The Kansas City Chiefs are likely hoping the final number is as close to the maximum as possible. Per Spotrac — now using an estimated $303.5 million cap — Kansas City is approximately $58 million over the limit with 54 players signed for 2026. All teams must be under the final salary cap when the new league year starts on March 11.

Let’s look at some likely paths for general manager Brett Veach to create salary cap space. As always, the salary cap should not be confused with the team budget; we have no way of knowing what internal spending parameters Veach may have to work around.

Cut candidates​

Significant heavy lifting can be accomplished by moving off the final (non-guaranteed) seasons of three contracts.

Most observers expect right tackle Jawaan Taylor to be released. The four-year, $80 million contract he signed with Kansas City in 2023 has proven controversial due to his tendency to draw penalty flags. Although Taylor has been a solid blocker for the most part, his health is also in question. Taylor was listed on every weekly injury report in 2024 and 2025 with a knee injury before suffering a season-ending elbow injury in November.

While cutting Taylor would leave about $7.4 million in dead money, the Chiefs can open $20 million in cap space by moving on, so this feels like an expected decision.

Parting with defensive end Mike Danna — and saving $8.9 million — might also be a no-brainer. Danna’s snap counts plummeted in the season’s second half as rookie Ashton Gillotte’s playing time increased. The veteran finished with an underwhelming box score: one sack and 25 total tackles. Danna could also take a significant pay cut with the possibility of earning some money back through incentives.

Linebacker Drue Tranquill has $6 million in non-guaranteed earnings for 2026. While that is not an excessive amount for a player who was in on 85% of the team’s defensive snaps last season, the production could probably come at a lower cost. 2025 fifth-round selection Jeffrey Bassa is in-house, and linebacker is arguably this draft class’s strongest position.

Releasing tight end Noah Gray would open a modest $4 million — although almost a fourth of that would instantly be allocated to whichever minimum salary enters Kansas City’s top 51 figures. The Chiefs probably won’t cut Gray for immediate cap relief, although they could move on later in the offseason after other moves.

Kansas City could also approach Gray after the NFL Draft — when 90-man rosters are full, and most team budgets are spent — about taking an incentives-laden pay cut. After only totaling 178 receiving yards (and no touchdowns), Gray would be an easy player to build a contract around, with incentives considered “not likely to be earned” for cap purposes.

Don’t expect the Chiefs to release cornerback Kristian Fulton or tackle Jaylon Moore for cap compliance. While cutting the pair could open about $12.9 million in combined cap space, both players are owed their actual 2026 salary, meaning the Chiefs would risk paying them to play for another team. While neither free agent signing from a year ago played to expectations, the Chiefs would also be wise to keep both players at least for depth purposes at the bare minimum.

Restructures​

Two Kansas City cap numbers loom large above the salary cap: quarterback Patrick Mahomes at $78.2 million and defensive tackle Chris Jones at $44.9 million.

Obviously, Mahomes’ number will be reduced. The bigger question will be if the Chiefs do another restructure (that could clear $44.4 million in cap space) or sign him to a new contract. Because Mahomes’ actual salary drops to an unrealistic $28 million in 2028, he is effectively only signed through 2027, no matter the seasons nominally remaining on the extension signed in 2020.

With no quarterbacks leaguewide in line for a new, massive contract this offseason, it may be time completely redo Mahomes’ pact with Kansas City in a way that frees funds now while creating a roadmap to navigate finances for much of the remainder of his career.

Jones is a more difficult question. The Chiefs may very well decide to restructure him again. Regardless of his status in team history, however, the front office needs to have some difficult conversations about the earnings Jones is due through 2028. With $35 million in guaranteed 2026 salary, Jones will remain in Kansas City at least one more season. While restructuring him could open as much as $22.5 million in additional salary cap space, leaving the number untouched would allow for more lucrative savings if the Chiefs were to move on completely in 2027.

The Chiefs could also open $12.5 million by restructuring guard Trey Smith and $8.9 million with center Creed Humphrey. The team may be hesitant to raise Smith’s 2027 cap number to potentially $34 million, however. Humphrey will likely be an extension candidate again before his contract expires in 2029. Avoiding a restructure could maintain flexibility in the future to redo his deal. These are also moves the Chiefs could keep in their back pocket should cap needs arise later in the offseason or even after actual games start.

The bottom line​

Kansas City’s current cap situation isn’t pretty, but it can easily be managed. A maximum restructure of Mahomes (or a completely new contract), paired with releasing Taylor, Danna and Tranquill, could quickly take the team from a $58 million deficit to a $20 million surplus. Other avenues exist for the Chiefs to fit almost any realistic signing under the 2026 limit.

The organization will make some early moves to be cap-compliant and to possibly be a factor early in free agency. Other moves, however, may wait until the team has a better idea of which players they can realistically sign — and how much salary cap space will actually be needed.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...fs-find-2026-salary-cap-space-before-march-11

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

In this week’s ‘Reacts’ poll, Chiefs’ fans stake claim of free agents

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 16: Tyquan Thornton #80 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a reception defended by Ja'Quan McMillian #29 of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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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Pick one offensive free agent to re-sign​

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Polled Chiefs fans were tasked with picking one of three options to re-sign from the pending free agents in Kansas City’s offense: wide receivers Tyquan Thornton, Hollywood Brown or running back Kareem Hunt.

The overwhelming majority would like to see Thornton back, presumably to play more and further the production he had as more of an afterthought in 2025.

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Pick one defensive free agent to re-sign​

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Polled fans in Chiefs Kingdom were asked to pick one of three options to re-sign from the pending free agents on the Chiefs’ defense: cornerback Jaylen Watson, safety Bryan Cook or linebacker Leo Chenal.

In a tighter race than the offense, Chenal was favored by nearly half of voters to continue ascending in Kansas City as one of the league’s most underrated playmakers at the position. The defensive backs received votes, but some fans may believe Watson and Cook are more replaceable than the talent Chenal brings to the team.

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Click here to see other recent survey results.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/nfl-reacts-survey/194319/week-24-results-chiefs-fans-pick-free-agents

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs mock draft roundup: Jeremiyah Love dominates prediction for nine

Nov 1, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs with the ball to score a 94 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images | Edward Finan-Imagn Images

We are still over two months away from the 2026 NFL Draft, so there is plenty of time for predictions on the 32 first-round picks to change. The Kansas City Chiefs hold the ninth-overall selection, making this one of the most anticipated drafts in the team’s recent history.

Since the regular season ended, the Arrowhead Pride staff has been monitoring all of the mock drafts authored by NFL media to see which players are being matched with the Chiefs most often. We have compiled information from 29 unique mock drafts published by 15 different outlets since January 12.

The most often-chosen player is no surprise to anyone following the early parts of this year’s draft cycle.

Chiefs’ selections in mock drafts​

The top 4 most picked, as of February 12

RB Jeremiyah Love — Notre Dame (41%)
DE Rueben Bain Jr. — Miami (17%)
S Caleb Downs — Ohio State (14%)
WR Jordyn Tyson — Arizona State (10%)

My takeaway​

The momentum for Love has been prevalent since the end of the Chiefs’ disappointing 2025 season, one that featured a subpar rushing attack and two primary ballcarriers preparing to hit free agency.

However, the hiring of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and running backs coach DeMarco Murray could strengthen the argument to select Love, whose talent could make him one of the highest picks in recent history at the position: the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Ashton Jeanty with the sixth-overall pick last year and the Atlanta Falcons selected Bijan Robinson with the eighth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Those are the only two backs selected in the top 10 since the 2018 draft, when Saquon Barkley was selected by the New York Giants.

After matching the Chiefs with Downs a few weeks ago, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports wrote Love as Kansas City’s pick in the February, post-Super Bowl edition. In January, the Athletic’s mock drafts had the Chiefs selecting Downs or Bain — but the updated version from Nick Baumgardner gives Love to Kansas City.

One simple explanation is the allure of Downs, who may not be available by the time the Chiefs pick in April. Tice and McDonald wrote Downs into the fifth-overall pick of the Giants — but on the flip side, Baumgardner picked Love with Downs still on the board. In his mock draft, Bain is the second defensive player off the board to the Tennessee Titans at four.

Bain feels like a polarizing prospect, but one that the Chiefs should absolutely be targeting with the top-10 pick. Can the same be said about Tyson, the wide receiver with a college career severely impacted by injury?

Three mock drafts from three different outlets matched the Chiefs with the potential no.1 receiver. At the same time, only one national source we tracked went another route to draft a wide receiver: former ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay, in the McShay Report newsletter, wrote Ohio State’s Carnell Tate as the answer to Kansas City’s quest to boost the receiving corps for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The top three most selected players for the Chiefs’ selection at nine make sense — but does Tyson fit in that group as one of the most likely options? What high-profile draft prospect is missing from mock drafts picking for Kansas City? Let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-roundup-jeremiyah-love-dominates-predictions

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 2/14: Chiefs make coaching hires official

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, seen here at a 2024 practice, led the Chiefs to the AFC's No. 1 seed. (Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The latest​

The Kansas City Chiefs make new coaching hires official

The Chiefs posted the following message on X Friday evening, confirming the multiple reports of hirings:

We have added the following coaches to our staff for the 2026 season:

DeMarco Murray — Running Backs Coach
Chad O’Shea — Wide Receivers Coach
Terry Bradden Jr. — Assistant Defensive Line Coach
Nate Pagan — Offensive Quality Control
CJ Cox — Defensive Quality Control

What type of player can the Chiefs land at No. 9 in the NFL Draft? | The Kansas City Star

2023: The Philadelphia Eagles select defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
No. 8 overall: Atlanta selects RB Bijan Robinson | No. 10 overall: Chicago selects T Darnell Wright.

Kansas City unfortunately knows Carter well from Philadelphia’s domination up front in Super Bowl LIX. While Carter didn’t make the box score, KC chose to double-team him frequently, opening up the door for his linemates to register multiple sacks.

Carter was a second-team All-Pro in 2024, and his attention in the trenches can be compared to a young Chris Jones.

There is a running back in this year’s draft who has drawn analysts’ comparisons to Robinson, who was taken at No. 8 in 2023: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Some have expected the Chiefs to go in that direction. There were outstanding players littered throughout 2023’s first round, including Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12), Christian Gonzalez (No. 17) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 20).

The Chiefs used their 31st-overall pick to take defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

One Chiefs Veteran Quietly Fighting for His Job This Offseason | KC Kingdom

Chamarri Conner Will Be Fighting for Job with Chiefs in 2026

Connor has been a contributor for the Chiefs over the last three seasons, playing on defense and special teams. Last season, Connor saw a career-high 1,022 defensive snaps. He was asked to play all over the field, including slot corner, free safety, and in the box.

While he recorded 117 total tackles and four tackles for loss in 2025, Connor left a lot to be desired in coverage. He allowed 56 receptions (68 targets) for 643 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded Connor 53.2 overall (82nd among 98 graded safeties) and a 46.7 coverage grade (86th among 98 graded safeties).

Connor also had a 63.5 run-defense grade (75th among 98 graded safeties). The Chiefs gave him an expanded role, but there clearly were areas in which he struggled. The Virginia Tech product is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026, placing more pressure on the coaching staff to get this right as veteran Bryan Cook is set to hit free agency in March.

Brees Tells Chiefs’ Kelce Classic Story About Schottenheimer | Sports Illustrated

The year before Schottenheimer arrived in San Diego, the Chargers drafted Drew Brees in the second round. And even though Brees beat out Flutie in 2002, Schottenheimer made every day a job interview for Brees. The new Hall of Famer shared the story with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on this week’s edition of New Heights.

“He backed me up for three years after that,” said Brees, referring to Flutie. “I was benched three times in those three years with Marty Schottenheimer. Yeah, the first one, I deserved it. The second one, kind of. The third one, I didn’t think I deserved it, and I was pissed.

“And had a knock-down, drag-out screaming match with Marty Schottenheimer on the sideline in December, at Pittsburgh, and then in the hallway after, and then in his office the next day.”

Travis Kelce fully understands why Clark Hunt would have Chiefs play in Kansas | The Kansas City Star

Kelce is saddened by the thought of the Chiefs leaving GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, but he fully understands why CEO and chairman Clark Hunt would move the team across the state line.

“The owners, they get so much more opportunity getting to the outskirts of the city,” Kelce said. “And it’s hard to argue with those opportunities, and we’re dealing with it right now in Kansas City. We’re going over to Kansas, but at the same time, it’s like, if you look at that deal in terms of an owner, like that’s one of the greatest opportunities you could ever get as an owner.

“And I think it’s going to be unbelievable once it’s finally set in stone. But it is going to be kind of heartbreaking knowing that the Chiefs are going to move away from Arrowhead and that Missouri side of Kansas City.

“It’s just a part of the old, you know, professional sports. It is a business at the end of the day.”

Around the NFL​

NFL wins grievance against NFLPA regarding report cards | ESPN

The NFLPA has conducted and distributed the results of anonymous player surveys since 2023 — and had already collected surveys throughout the 2025 season for the latest installment of the report cards to be published in spring 2026. The league filed its grievance to stop the practice in the fall, saying it violated the agreement clause that states NFL owners and the union must “use reasonable efforts to curtail public comments by club personnel or players which express criticism of any club, its coach, or its operation and policy.”

Instead, the memo states, teams should continue to solicit feedback from their players directly, and the NFL’s Management Council will work with the NFLPA to design and conduct a survey that collects players’ opinions regarding the “adequacy of medical care under the CBA.”

Prior to Friday’s ruling, players across the NFL expressed their support for the report cards.

Best trade fits for Maxx Crosby: Potential landing spots for Pro Bowl pass rusher | NFL.com

Maurice Jones-Drew
NFL.com Analyst
PICK: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars made big strides in 2025, winning the division after having just four victories in 2024, but their pass rush needs a boost if they want to continue that upward trajectory next season. Jacksonville just ranked 21st in pass defense and 27th in sacks, with Josh Hines-Allen leading the way with eight QB takedowns. Crosby would provide a much-needed boost to the defensive line and another dynamic pass rusher opposite Hines-Allen. With Crosby, the Jags could be true Super Bowl contenders.

Myles Garrett Cheers on ‘Amazing’ Girlfriend Chloe Kim as She Tries for Third Gold Medal at Olympics | People

The Team USA snowboarder — who is aiming to become the first ever to “three-peat” and win her third gold in the halfpipe at the Olympics — was cheered on by the Cleveland Browns defensive end, as seen in a video and photos shared by the franchise and the NFL on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

In the images, the two-time NFL defensive player of the year, 30, poses with his 25-year-old girlfriend. A video captured her soaring up and down the halfpipe.

According to ESPN’s SportsCenter, Garrett, toted a camera to take pictures of Kim’s historic run and repeatedly said “she’s so amazing, she’s so amazing,” as he watched from the stands in Livigno, Italy.

Kim was the only competitor to score above 90. She will be joined in the final round on Thursday, Feb. 12 by Team USA competitors Maddie Mastro and Bea Kim, who finished third and 10th in qualifying. Teammate Maddy Shaffrick did not advance to the final, finishing in 15th.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Chiefs 2026 offseason: Rank the positions of need before free agency

1. Defensive Line

The Chiefs’ defensive line struggled during the 2025 season, and heading into the offseason, the position is depleted. The team needs a combination of capable pass rushers and big bodies to stuff the run.

With a premier pick in the NFL Draft and a loaded defensive line class, Kansas City has a chance to pick one of the top defensive ends or tackles, but with multiple top-100 picks, the organization could double up and add multiple players to the defensive line.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlafitis need help up front, and the draft will be a great spot for the Chiefs to replenish talent in the trenches.

Social media to make you think​

If you need an edge rusher, this is a good draft to double up. The depth of the class is impressive. I've got 10 guys worthy of a spot in top 50 players. There's another layer of traitsy players beyond that group.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 13, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

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• AP Staff on X: See complete list
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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...4330/2-14-chiefs-make-coaching-hires-official

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Who are the best and worst Chiefs free agent signings?

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 25: Joe Thuney #62 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 25, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The successful NFL franchises understand that free agency should not be the primary avenue to building a championship team. The signings an organization makes in the spring — before the draft in late April — should be the cherries on top of a roster built on drafted, developed players.

There are times when a potential cornerstone player becomes available to sign. When it works out — like the Kansas City Chiefs signing eventual All-Pro right tackle Mitchell Schwartz in the 2016 offseason — it looks like a no-brainer, but there are plenty of big contracts that don’t turn out well. Chiefs Kingdom is not far removed from trading for and signing quarterback Matt Cassel as a franchise player, inking a six-year contract entering the 2009 season.

In the era of general manager Brett Veach, Kansas City has won three Super Bowls with plenty of aid from free-agent signings. There are strong candidates for the best and worst in this time, but one player stands above the rest in terms of impacting the team’s unprecedented success.

Best: LG Joe Thuney — Class of 2021​

After two Super Bowl titles as a starting guard for the New England Patriots, Thuney became one of the most sought-after free agents entering the 2021 season. That timed up with the Chiefs coming off a dismal performance in Super Bowl LV against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Veach did not mess around with fixing the offensive line to ensure the protection of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

After releasing starting left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City prioritized Thuney in free agency to lead the new era of the Chiefs’ offensive line. Later that offseason, the team drafted center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith, forming a trio that would become the foundation for Kansas City as it won AFC titles in three of the next four seasons.

In his final season with the Chiefs, Thuney shored up left tackle during a postseason run, starting on the blind side of Mahomes on the way to a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. The strategy may have come apart against the Philadelphia Eagles, but Thuney still proved to be one of the biggest reasons for unprecedented dominance in Kansas City’s recent history.

Worst: LB Anthony Hitchens — Class of 2018​

With the excitement building around Mahomes taking over as the starting quarterback for the 2018 season, Veach was aggressive in free agency. He signed wide receiver Sammy Watkins to a multi-year contract and made an underrated addition with running back Damien Williams.

On the defensive side, Veach looked for a leader to come into a locker room with established veterans like edge rusher Justin Houston and safety Eric Berry. He signed former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens to a five-year contract to be the next long-time middle linebacker in Kansas City. This came on the heels of all-time great linebacker Derrick Johnson’s final year with the team.

Hitchens started every game he was available for the next four seasons and was a key member of the 2019 Super Bowl championship run. However, it was clear Hitchens was not making the impact needed from the team’s top linebacker. The front office drafted linebacker Nick Bolton in 2021, and the difference in skills became clear that season. Hitchens was released following the disappointing season and never played another snap in the NFL.

Who are the best and worst free-agent signings in modern Chiefs history? Are there older examples that come to mind? Let us know in the comments!

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...who-are-best-worst-chiefs-free-agent-signings

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs 2026 offseason: Rank the positions of need before free agency

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 28: George Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs share a moment on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The offseason is underway, and the Kansas City Chiefs have multiple positions of need to address this offseason. Let’s rank them, considering the roster and performance during the 2025 season.

1. Defensive Line​

The Chiefs’ defensive line struggled during the 2025 season, and heading into the offseason, the position is depleted. The team needs a combination of capable pass rushers and big bodies to stuff the run.

With a premier pick in the NFL Draft and a loaded defensive line class, Kansas City has a chance to pick one of the top defensive ends or tackles, but with multiple top-100 picks, the organization could double up and add multiple players to the defensive line.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlafitis need help up front, and the draft will be a great spot for the Chiefs to replenish talent in the trenches.

2. Running Back​

The Chiefs’ running back room has been lackluster for the last two seasons, but this offseason, general manager Brett Veach will have a chance to take a swing in an interesting free agent class, as well as add talent through the draft.

With only Brashard Smith on the roster, Kansas City should be looking to add multiple players before the rookie minicamp begins in early May.

The most likely outcome is the Chiefs signing an established veteran player, then drafting a running back as high as Day 2 in the draft. This will ensure Kansas City has a known commodity while also looking to the future.

3. Tight End​

Regardless of legendary tight end Travis Kelce’s decision on whether he will come back for another season or retire, the Chiefs need to add talent to the position.

Veteran Noah Gray had a down season, and Jared Wiley has not panned out based on what the team imagined using the 131st overall pick in the 2024 draft.

While this position is a need for Kansas City, this season’s free agent class is not that deep, with Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts projected to be the highest-paid player, according to Spotrac, followed by Kelce in second. The draft could be where the Chiefs could add talent for the future of tight ends with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

4. Linebacker​

A sneaky choice for this list is linebacker. There is a real possibility that Kansas City could be without either Leo Chenal, a pending free agent, or Drue Tranquill, a potential cap casualty, in 2026. Each player has been a key contributor to the Chiefs’ defense the last few seasons by joining Nick Bolton in a formidable trio on the second level of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.

If the trio is broken up, the most likely scenario is a team-friendly deal for Chenal while Tranquill walks. This would open up the possibility for the Chiefs to swing on a star prospect like Arvelle Reese in the first round, or find a potential Day 2 star like former Missouri Tiger Josiah Trotter.

5. Wide Receiver​

The Chiefs’ receiving room, on paper, looks fine — but the offense could use an extra body capable of producing mid-tier, no.1 receiver numbers, or being a high-level no. 2 receiver.

In the draft, the Chiefs could have a chance to take Carnell Tate from Ohio State or Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, the top two wideouts in the draft by consensus. If the team decides to prioritize defense, there’s a path to take in free agency.

Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings and Alec Pierce could be names worth monitoring once free agency begins and would all be welcome additions to the Chiefs roster.

6. Safety​

Veteran Bryan Cook is a pending free agent, which leaves Kansas City’s current safety room razor-thin. Jaden Hicks and Chammari Conner are both in line to take over for Cook if he leaves, but both players have had up-and-down careers to this point.

If the Chiefs believe in the value of the position, the team could take former Ohio State standout Caleb Downs in the first round, if he is available. If not, Safety could be a position Kansas City has holes in coming into 2026.

7. IOL reserves​

The Chiefs’ lack of quality depth along the interior offensive line has hurt them in recent seasons. The team should use the back end of the draft and the lower tier of free agency to add quality depth in the trenches and make sure that they have the deepest unit possible.

Last: Backup QB​

Kansas City’s main focus in 2026 should be bringing back Mahomes when he is healthy and continuing to build the roster around him for years to come. Spending superfluous resources on a high-end backup would be short-sighted in the long run.

The team does not — and cannot — function the way it is designed to do so without his full presence, so there is no need to try to salvage early-season wins if he is not ready to go when the season begins.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...season-rank-positions-need-before-free-agency

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Former Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill one of four players Dolphins are releasing

Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates after a reception against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There has already been one reunion for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense this season — hiring Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator — but another potential homecoming just became possible.

On Monday morning, news of the Miami Dolphins releasing impactful veterans began to trickle out, starting with defensive end Bradley Chubb, guard James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

Sources: Miami’s eight-time Pro-Bowl WR Tyreek Hill is being released. Hill turns 32 on March 1, is recovering from a dislocated knee and torn ACL, and now will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NFL career.

His release will save the Dolphins $22.8 million… pic.twitter.com/xK1UGfsWyg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 16, 2026

Then, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that wide receiver Tyreek Hill would be a fourth player cut by Miami. The move saves the Dolphins $22.8 million in cap space, and now Hill — formerly a member of the Chiefs from 2016-2021 — is an unrestricted free agent as he recovers from a dislocated knee and torn ACL.

Two weeks shy of 32 years old, Hill has boosted his resume since leaving Kansas City as a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection. In four seasons with the Dolphins, Hill added two more first-team All-Pro selections while also receiving MVP votes in those seasons for the first time in his career.

In 2023, Hill led the NFL in receiving yards (1,799) and touchdown catches (13) and finished second in the voting for Offensive Player of the Year. It was the only year Hill has ever topped the league in either category. The mark of 1,799 yards is his career high, and the second-highest was set the previous season in Miami (1,710 yards).

In 2024, the Dolphins’ offense turned ineffective, and Hill’s stats took a big hit despite playing all 17 games. He was unable to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2019, a season in which he played only 12 games. Then, in 2025, Hill’s statistics had a similarly discouraging pace through three games before he suffered the severe leg injury against the New York Jets on “Monday Night Football” in Week 4.

Hill is currently recovering and spoke with People about his progress in an interview that was published last Thursday.

“I’m feeling good. I mean, I’m walking with no brace on right now,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I’m in my second week of walking with no brace, so I’m proud of that. So I’m feeling good.”

Hill underwent surgery immediately after, which his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed went “very well according to his doctors.” He confirmed he’ll play next season, and shared the “realistic goal” is the start of the season.

Former Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel — now offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers, for what it’s worth — started in that position the year Hill was traded to Miami. The offensive-minded coach clearly had a schematic flow at one point that married the run and pass beautifully, opening up incredible amounts of space for one of the league’s most feared playmakers in Hill.

After fueling Hill to two consecutive seasons topping 1,700 yards in 2022 and 2023, McDaniel’s magic seemed to crumble, and Hill’s did along with it. There is an argument to be made that Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was not playing well enough to execute the scheme, and his leadership became questionable this past season with remarks about teammates being late to players-only meetings.

The dysfunction turned into an overhaul in Miami this offseason, and now the Chiefs will be speculated as one of the most likely landing spots for Hill. According to the oddsmakers at Bovada, the Chiefs are the favorite (+300) to be Hill’s next team. The next-lowest odds belong to a three-way tie between the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots (+500).

Do you think the Chiefs should pursue Tyreek Hill? Why or why not? Get the discussion going in the comment section.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...elease-four-players-former-chiefs-tyreek-hill

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Why the Chiefs’ reunion with Tyreek Hill is a longshot

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 13: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Monday, we learned that former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill is officially a free agent after being released by the Miami Dolphins.

Predictably, the immediate take on social media called for Hill to return to Kansas City, where he played from 2016 to 2021. The team’s fifth-round selection from the 2016 NFL Draft ranks fifth in team history with 6,630 receiving yards and fourth all-time in all-purpose touchdowns with 67.

"Do we have time to run wasp?"

Patrick Mahomes knew it would work to give the Chiefs a big gain in the clutch (Super Bowl LIV)@insidethenfl's Top 60 SB Mic'd Up Moments on X pic.twitter.com/KtYwHApZxD

— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2026

Hill’s 44-yard reception from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIV spurred a Chiefs’ comeback and is one of the signature plays in franchise history. Returning Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is also known to have a strong relationship with Hill.

Still, a second stint in Kansas City is probably unlikely for the wideout.

The biggest question surrounding Hill is his health. In Week 4, Hill suffered a devastating knee injury against the New York Jets. The gruesome diagnosis was a dislocated knee with multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL.

During Super Bowl week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that it is unknown when — or if — the speedster would be available in 2026. With so much of Hill’s value tied to otherworldly speed, he may never recover in a way that puts him back in a huddle.

Hill addressed the move on Monday via his Twitch feed. He confirmed that he knew the release was coming while revealing he still needs an additional surgery to repair his LCL.

Tyreek Hill cont –

He said on his stream (below) that he needs 1 more surgery for the LCL.
It’s pretty rare that they would leave the LCL alone initially if torn, as it would remain too unstable following the ACLR.

My guesses here:
•they didn’t think LCL needed to be repaired… https://t.co/F76d2gKlX0

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) February 16, 2026

There are also considerations other than health.

Hill entered the league with Kansas City under the cloud of a domestic violence conviction, and the Chiefs weathered the storm as he faced child abuse allegations in 2019. Multiple controversial incidents followed after he was traded to the Dolphins in 2022, although Hill has never received a league suspension.

The Chiefs and Dolphins repeatedly stood by Hill while he was the most dangerous weapon in football. A team might be less willing to put the work on its public relations department for a rehabbing player. If Hill’s career continues, he may be unlikely to join a team until fully cleared to practice.

Continuing his career may not be as simple as signing an incentives-laden contract.

The wide receiver position sees many careers end earlier than expected because it is difficult for starting players to shift to backup roles.

Backup wide receivers are generally expected to take on significant special teams snaps. If a wideout cannot be one of the top three options in the passing game, it is hard to justify the roster space without contributions on the third unit.

Would a reduced role for Tyreek Hill likely be a better option on a given play than most teams’ fourth or fifth wide receiver? Yes, but that also would have been true last season for even the 33-year-old version of former star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. — who never caught on with a team in 2025. It also would have been the case for former New Orleans Saints pass catcher Michael Thomas, who never signed with a team in 2024 after reaching free agency.

On the players’ side, the realities of late-career money may be hard to swallow. Hill has made over $25 million for four consecutive seasons. Even if he hit every hypothetical incentive a new team offered him, the compensation would be far below what he is accustomed to making.

Hill will turn 32 next month. His most likely path forward will be to continue his rehab and sign with a contender later in the season, in hopes of reestablishing his value ahead of 2027’s free agency to chase one more payday. Whether that comes in Kansas City will probably depend on whether the Chiefs’ 2026 is going better than the last campaign and their needs at the position.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...94421/why-chiefs-reunion-tyreek-hill-longshot

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 2/17: Chris Jones pitches Tyreek Hill to return

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 12: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs waves to fans following the 48-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The latest​

Chiefs’ Chris Jones makes pitch to Tyreek Hill amid trade rumors | Yahoo! Sports

The NFL offseason is barely underway, but the stove is already piping hot. Just days after the Miami Dolphins made the shocking decision to release superstar wideout Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is already working the phones, or at least the timeline.

Jones wasted no time jumping on X, formerly Twitter, to recruit his former teammate back to Arrowhead. Tagging Hill, Jones posted a simple but loud message: “@cheetah it’s (time).”

The “Cheetah” spent his first six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the most electric deep threat in football before being traded to Miami in 2022. While the move was strictly business at the time, the landscape in KC has changed. The Chiefs’ offense lacked that signature vertical explosion for much of the year.

2026 NFL offseason: Trade proposals that fit for both teams | ESPN

Rams go all-in with their extra first-rounder

Rams get: CB Trent McDuffie, 2026 fifth-round pick
Chiefs get: 2026 first-round pick

McDuffie fits that bill as a feisty, aggressive cornerback with the ability to play near the line of scrimmage. The Rams have spent at one of the league’s lowest rates over the past two years on defense, and they would have no trouble absorbing a potential extension for McDuffie, let alone his $13.6 million fifth-year option in 2026. McDuffie might be best in the slot, where the Rams use Quentin Lake, but he’s plenty effective as an outside cornerback, too.

Why would the Chiefs, who also expect to compete for a Super Bowl, trade McDuffie? Well, Brett Veach hasn’t been too interested in paying cornerbacks during his time as general manager. The Chiefs traded Peters after three seasons, one year removed from a first-team All-Pro nod. They developed L’Jarius Sneed into a standout, but at the end of his rookie deal, they franchise-tagged him and traded him to the Titans for a third-round pick.

McDuffie is better than Peters or Sneed, but if the Chiefs aren’t planning on extending their top corner, getting something significant for him now makes more sense than losing him in free agency for nothing more than a 2028 compensatory pick. In acquiring the No. 29 selection, the Chiefs would have three of the top-40 picks in this year’s draft, which would give them the ability to add multiple rookie contributors and/or move around for specific players.

Why Chiefs Shouldn’t Seek Tyreek Hill Reunion: ‘Nostalgia Will Get You In Trouble’ | FOX Sports

“We gotta be careful,” he said. “Nostalgia will get you in trouble. You’re talking about a 30-year-old quarterback coming off a major knee injury, and we’re looking at a team right now — valid, they’re deficient at the wide receiver position — but the Chiefs have some major cap issues.

The Chiefs are in a bit of a tricky spot with the salary cap entering the offseason. They’re roughly $55 million north of the salary cap, per Over The Cap, so signing any high-profile free agent might be impossible for Kansas City.

Hill is recovering from an ACL tear and a dislocated knee, though, which could theoretically lower his value on the open market. FOX Sports’ Greg Auman speculated that Hill could receive a salary of around $18 million next season, as he ranked Hill the 27th-best free agent this offseason. That’s about half of what Hill made with Miami in 2025.

Even if Hill takes that much of a pay cut this offseason, Colon thinks that it would still be a gamble for Kansas City to pursue him.

“They’re in the business of shopping for a low-value receiver instead of an impact guy, like Tyreek Hill, who you don’t know if you’re going to get the same guy back,” Colon said.

One potential 2026 salary-cap cut for every NFL team: Joe Mixon, Kirk Cousins and more | The Athletic

Kansas City Chiefs

RT Jawaan Taylor

This one seems like a formality at this point. The Chiefs can save $20 million against the cap by cutting the oft-penalized Taylor, who seems destined for a change of scenery at age 28. Kansas City also has a suitable replacement in-house. Jaylon Moore, who signed a two-year free-agent deal last offseason, can easily slide over to right tackle with 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons securing the left side. K.C. should also part ways with defensive end Mike Danna this offseason to save $8.9 million on next year’s balance sheet. — Jesse Newell

Why Chiefs Should View Seahawks’ 2025 Offseason as a Blueprint | Sports Illustrated

Seattle Sold High on Name Value

Another player who was seeking a lucrative contract extension last offseason was wide receiver DK Metcalf. The 28-year-old receiver’s image as a top receiver in the league was slowly fading, as Metcalf’s poor route running and reputation for catching the ball with his body rather than his hands were being fully recognized across the league.

The Seahawks identified another suitor – the Pittsburgh Steelers – who mistakenly viewed Metcalf as a bona fide WR1. That was another excellent transaction by Schneider.

While cornerback Trent McDuffie is a better player than Metcalf and is assessed as one of the top players at his position, his small stature was exposed as an outside corner. The 25-year-old defensive back has been rumored as a trade candidate this offseason, and that quietly appears to be the case.

Around the NFL​

Browns’ Hickman assaulted in NYC, treated for minor injuries | ESPN

Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman was assaulted in the lobby of a New York City hotel early Monday morning, the team said.

The Browns said in a statement that Hickman, 24, was “treated for minor injuries at an area hospital after the incident, was later released, and is home resting with his family.”

There have been no arrests and an investigation continues, according to a statement from the New York Police Department.

Browns to hire Falcons’ Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator: Source | The Athletic

It’s the first coordinator job for Rutenberg, whose previous NFL experience includes time with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington.

The Browns are now close to completing the staff of new head coach Todd Monken, who was hired Jan. 28. Monken’s hiring led to the exit of Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator for the last three seasons, after he twice interviewed for the head-coaching job.

It’s expected that most of Schwartz’s assistants from last season will remain with the Browns. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver and safeties coach Ephraim Banda had both interviewed for the defensive coordinator position.

Rutenberg, 44, spent four seasons as the Jets’ linebackers coach before joining Atlanta’s staff as pass game coordinator last year.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Why the Chiefs’ reunion with Tyreek Hill is a longshot

A second stint in Kansas City is probably unlikely for the wideout.

The biggest question surrounding Hill is his health. In Week 4, Hill suffered a devastating knee injury against the New York Jets. The gruesome diagnosis was a dislocated knee with multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL.

During Super Bowl week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that it is unknown when — or if — the speedster would be available in 2026. With so much of Hill’s value tied to otherworldly speed, he may never recover in a way that puts him back in a huddle.

Hill addressed the move on Monday via his Twitch feed. He confirmed that he knew the release was coming while revealing he still needs an additional surgery to repair his LCL.

Social media to make you think​

It’s unlikely the Seahawks will use their franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, per league sources. The Seahawks have multiple free agents they want to retain and sign. They also will try to extend WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There are enough Super-Bowl tax… https://t.co/9xbtIgLNn7 pic.twitter.com/XdfkNk16kf

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...5/2-17-chris-jones-pitches-tyreek-hill-return

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Making decisions on the Chiefs’ 2026 free agents

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 14: Travis Kelce #87 of talks with Leo Chenal #54 of the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Finally, it feels like the offseason has actually arrived. The Kansas City Chiefs can now make moves to improve the team in the hopes of contending once again in 2026 and beyond.

Before the Chiefs can sign external free agents or select prospects in the NFL Draft, the front office will make decisions on the in-house free agents, which will be informative towards the next steps of player acquisition.

So let’s break the free agents into tiers based on how Kansas City should prioritize them. It’s impossible to pay everyone with a salary cap, so it’s necessary to pick and choose who is worth paying.

Let’s start with the guys with the highest priority to keep:

1. Keep no matter what!​

TE Travis Kelce
LB Leo Chenal

The Chiefs shouldn’t have to pay at the top of the market for either, but both Kelce and Chenal are really important players to the team that should be re-signed regardless of cost.

If Kelce wants to continue playing, Kansas City should welcome him with open arms. In 2025, he was arguably better than the previous two seasons; he is still a staple of the offense and locker room. If the Chiefs need to be creative with cap space to make a deal with Kelce work, it’s worth it for the legend. He should retire playing for the Chiefs and only the Chiefs.

Chenal’s situation in free agency will be weird because he’s one of the only true SAM linebackers left in the NFL. He has not proven to play every down, so that affects his price point. Chenal is valuable because he unlocks different fronts by aligning across the line of scrimmage. In playoff games against elite rushing teams, that has proven to be very valuable. The luxury of having that skillset is worth the cost.

2. Try to keep, but don’t overpay ​

S Bryan Cook
CB Jaylen Watson

Both defensive backs from the 2022 class had good runs in Kansas City, and general manager Brett Veach should definitely make an offer for both. However, it’s realistic for both to be outside of the Chiefs’ price range. With the lack of young defensive free agents on the market, teams very well could be paying a premium to land either.

Watson should be the priority, but other teams will have a similar mindset. Cook will probably be cheaper to keep, but the Chiefs should be able to find a similar, less-expensive replacement.

The goal for Kansas City should be to keep one of these two players. Given some of the other needs on the roster — wide receiver, running back, defensive line and others — it might be difficult to add to the secondary through the draft.

However, the Chiefs should be prepared for teams to drive up the price for both on the open market, and that could push the organization out of the possibility of re-signing either.

3. Try to keep by signing a cap-conscious deal ​

WR Tyquan Thornton
RB Kareem Hunt
WR Juju Smith-Schuster
DT Mike Pennel
LS James Winchester

All four of these players have been inexpensive signings in recent history, but each fills a role that the team needs. This group is made of players who are not considered to be played “every down,” and should be cheap to retain because of that.

Thornton would be the most expensive of the four, but his skillset in the offense should keep him in strong consideration by Kansas City. Thornton may not be a good enough route runner to play every down, but he’s the closest thing this team has to a downfield threat. The Chiefs will look for an X-receiver to improve the outside-receiver spot, but Thornton can still make vertical plays from the slot.

In 2025, Kansas City overused Hunt, but he earned a role in the backfield with success in short-yardage situations. If he can replicate what he did in 2025 — while he turns 31 in August — he has a valuable role.

Pennel is an inexpensive nose tackle that gives the team much-needed depth. Smith-Schuster helps the team in blocking, but his role has the potential to be given to a newcomer.

4. Don’t re-sign ​

WR Hollywood Brown
RB Isiah Pacheco
DE Charles Omenihu
DT Jerry Tillery
DT Derrick Nnadi
QB Gardner Minshew

With this group of players, it’s less about price and more about the fact that none have roles with the team that make sense to continue.

For example, Brown can’t play outside receiver, but he needs to because the team has Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Brown has been a disappointment for over two years, and the receiving corps needs a more complete player.

Pacheco has not been the same since he was a rookie; he lacks the developed footwork and vision to continue as the starter. The Chiefs need more dynamism and consistency in the run game.

Omenihu has also not been the same since tearing his ACL in the 2023 postseason. He doesn’t bring much pass-rush juice anymore. Omenihu’s skillset is still valuable, but the team should replace him with a fresher, younger player.

Tillery and Nnadi were both cheap defensive tackles that didn’t do much last year. The Chiefs need to upgrade the depth on the interior defensive line with talent and youth, so moving off Tillery and Nnadi feels necessary to do that.

If there’s a chance Patrick Mahomes could miss four games due to being on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, the Chiefs would want to get a better backup than Minshew. I imagine he’ll find a different backup job elsewhere.

5. Bring back to fight for roster spots​

RB Dameon Pierce
CB Joshua Williams
CB Nazeeh Johnson
TE Robert Tonyan
S Mike Edwards
S Deon Bush
DE Janarius Robinson

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...2/making-decisions-on-chiefs-2026-free-agents

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

One roster cut the Chiefs should make right now

As of the writing of this piece, the Kansas City Chiefs have the least amount of cap space in the NFL. According to Spotrac, the Chiefs are $57,963,869 over the cap. Over The Cap has a slightly more favorable number at $54,910,166.

On Wednesday morning, some of that pressure was relieved with an unsurprising report of restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract. Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap broke the news and concluded Kansas City would still be only $11 million over the limit with the move; Spotrac has the figure at $14.4 million.

Regardless, starting from a position of being nearly $60 million in the hole — coming off the franchise’s worst season in 13 years — is less than ideal.

The NFL new year starts on March 11th at 3:00 p.m. Arrowhead time. All teams must be below the salary cap then. For the Chiefs to be comfortably compliant under the $303 million salary cap, the front office will need to look into the 2026 roster and make decisions on players already under contract. In all likelihood, the Chiefs will make multiple moves between now and then.

So what is the one cut that feels most likely over all others Kansas City could make? There is really only one answer.

Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor​

Taylor is scheduled to make over $27 million in 2026. If the Chiefs elect to cut him, the organization will save $20 million against the cap while absorbing a dead-cap figure of roughly $7 million. This move alone would bring the Chiefs to $4.7 million under the cap, which is still not enough to even sign your draft picks, let alone play in free agency. However, it accomplishes the goal of settling under the $303 million cap ceiling before the 2026 NFL calendar officially begins.

Admittedly, the declaration to release Taylor before the final year of his deal is not a revolutionary point, but sometimes the choice that’s staring you in the face is the right one to make.

Two other cut candidates to keep an eye on​

• Defensive end Mike Danna could be released before the final year of his contract and save Kansas City $9 million.
• Linebacker Dru Tranquill, whose release would provide another $6 million in a similar situation to Danna.

While these moves help the Chiefs progress towards a necessary, albeit limited, level of flexibility in free agency, it’s not clear skies and sunshine yet. Kansas City has over 20 unrestricted free agents set to hit the market.

Of course, contracts can be written to have the bulk of funds hitting in future years, and there are other moves waiting to be made to ease further pressure. There are some rays of light peaking through the offseason overcast.

The best way to put the Chiefs’ 2026 cap situation is simple: it is what it is.

Is there any other avenue to handling Taylor’s contract besides outright releasing him? Who else on the 2026 roster should the Chiefs be looking into replacing? Let us know in the comments!

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kansas-city-chiefs-roster/194485/one-roster-cut-chiefs-should-make

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Rashee Rice lawsuit: Chiefs issue statement after abuse allegations go public

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 15: Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs stretches during pregame warmups prior to the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Wednesday, TMZ released an exclusive report revealing a civil lawsuit has been filed against Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver Rashee Rice by Dacoda Jones — Rice’s “longtime partner and mother of his children” — alleging abuse, specifically from December 2023 to July 2025.

Jones — who has two children with Rice — says she was also subject to “other violent and abusive behaviors,” which included the Chiefs’ wideout throwing things at her, “punching walls, and breaking furniture.”

Jones claims the abuse caused “bleeding, swelling, bruising, and other pain and physical injury to her neck, face, mouth, arms, legs, chest, and shoulder.”

To make matters worse, Dacoda says most of the abuse occurred while she was pregnant.

These allegations are from the lawsuit filed against Chiefs WR Rashee Rice by the mother of his children in Dallas County District Court on Monday. pic.twitter.com/O5vQcyKufh

— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) February 18, 2026

Just under two hours after that news broke, Jesse Newell of The Athletic shared the expressed allegations submitted by Jones and her representatives directly from the lawsuit, corroborating the disturbing details referenced through the initial report.

Here's the Chiefs' statement regarding Rashee Rice: “The club is aware & remains in communication with the National Football League.” https://t.co/4x4zIja3sn

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) February 18, 2026

Roughly three hours after TMZ’s report, the Chiefs released the following statement regarding Rice, per Nate Taylor of ESPN.

“The club is aware & remains in communication with the National Football League.”

The filing comes just over a month after the Plaintiff Jones used Instagram to publicly allege the claims from this lawsuit, including graphic photos as evidence. It prompted the NFL to launch an investigation, reported by USA Today at the time.

It is unclear whether Rice’s ex-girlfriend has filed a police report associated with the allegations. Police in Overland Park, Kansas told USA TODAY that they responded to a call at Rice’s home in 2024 but that no abuse report was filed. The Dallas Police Department, where Rice previously lived, told USA TODAY, “It is not our practice to look up individuals by name.”

That won’t stop the NFL from investigating.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Jan. 8, an NFL spokesman said, “We have been in contact with the club about the matter which will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy.”

At the time, the organization put out the following statement through Taylor after the accusations went viral.

“The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”

That NFL investigation is still active and will likely stay open while this filing goes through the court process. We will keep you updated with the latest information as it is reported.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ations-abuse-team-statement-nfl-investigation

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

The Athletic’s beat writer mock draft has Chiefs taking first receiver

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a pass during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 1, 2025, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The NFL Scouting Combine will take place next week, setting the tone for the 2026 NFL Draft and the football offseason as a whole.

The prediction mock drafts will feel more solidified once rumors begin swirling with the football world collected in Indianapolis ahead of free agency. However, the events that have already unfolded this offseason can point to what needs to be addressed with such a premium draft pick.

On Thursday morning, The Athletic posted a mock draft featuring all 32 first-round selections predicted by the beat writers who cover them. Jesse Newell wrote Kansas City’s selection of the first wide receiver off the board.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

A sneaky need for the Chiefs is at receiver, where they have only two players under contract beyond 2026 (Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals). This draft fell in a positive way, then, with Tate the first receiver off the board. He’s a good team fit, as well. The Chiefs typically target run-after-catch guys, but too often last year, they were in need of an outside receiver who could create route separation and be a contested-catch option. Tate — he most often draws George Pickens comps from draft analysts — would be a welcome addition for new receivers coach Chad O’Shea, while also giving Patrick Mahomes a QB-friendly option for years to come. — Jesse Newell

My take​

The first note about this draft board is the collection of players not available at the ninth selection. Between picks four and eight, the following players were taken; all of them have been popular names to match with the Chiefs.

• EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
• S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
• EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
• RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

With that in mind, general manager Brett Veach has his choice of the three receivers projected to go top-13 by The Athletic’s NFL Draft consensus rankings.

8. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

11. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

13. Makai Lemon, USC

Newell chose the top receiver and points out how strong a fit Tate is to work with the Chiefs’ existing receiving corps moving forward. Tate offers skills that help with facets of offense the team has struggled with recently, and the numbers prove it, according to PFF Premium Stats.

• He is a ball winner, proven by an absurdly high contested-catch rate in 2025. Tate caught 12 of 14 contested targets and did not register a drop in his last season with the Buckeyes. He also caught 12 of 13 passes thrown 10 or more yards between the hashes
• He is a downfield playmaker. The contested catches play into that, but Tate did nearly all of his damage on passes thrown 20 or more yards down the field: six of his nine touchdowns and 52% of his receiving yards in 2025, to be exact.
• He wins on the outside. Tate rarely worked from the slot at Ohio State, aligning there on less than 10% of his snaps over the last two seasons.

However, Kansas City’s pass-catching group needs a receiver who can beat man coverage himself and create separation when the designed, run-after-catch routes get jammed up.

Among FBS receivers with at least 10 targets against man coverage in 2025, Tate ranked 98th in catch rate against man coverage (10 of 16 passes). Only 153 of his 875 receiving yards were registered against man, which can be credited to opponents’ fear of manning up Tate and teammate Jeremiah Smith.

When Tate does face tight, physical coverage on his route, he struggles to shake the cornerback more often than Tyson and Lemon do on tape. He overcomes it with strong hands and a big body to pair with elite instincts at the catch point, but many high-profile receivers in draft history have shared a similar background, only to struggle at succeeding in the same fashion at the NFL level.

Wish he'd separate easier against physical coverage — but there's no denying how much of a downfield threat Tate is off free releases pic.twitter.com/TVfv19lmNM

— Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) February 8, 2026

The point is certainly not to push Tate out of consideration for the pick, especially because he is exceptional in his strengths. Working off the primary attention on Smith, Tate took advantage of free releases as often as he could. He is a dynamic route runner in space, understanding how to manipulate zone defenders to get over the top.

However, if Kansas City is to take such a swing with the ninth pick, the receiver taken needs to be able to create route separation, as Newell put it, specifically against man coverage.

For Tate, that would be more of a projection, but one that has the ceiling of an All-Pro wideout given the other talents he has already proven.

Is Tate the best receiver in the class? Is he the strongest fit for the Chiefs? Is he both, or neither? Let’s get these draft discussions rolling with the Combine starting next week.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...riter-mock-draft-chiefs-taking-first-receiver