RSS Chiefs Team Notes

[Kansas City Chiefs]

2026 Shrine Bowl: 5 intriguing offensive linemen for Chiefs draft

The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl is set to kick off Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Arrowhead time, broadcast on NFL Network. Both the East and West squads have been busy practicing this past week in preparation, and showcased their abilities in front of scouts and the media.

The Kansas City Chiefs will need offensive line depth in the later rounds of the draft, and the Shrine Bowl serves as a good spot to identify talent.

The Arrowhead Pride staff had boots on the ground in Frisco, Texas, last week, and a few of the offensive linemen stood out.

1. Brian Parker, Duke​

Parker played at both right and left tackle during his time at Duke, but after talking with him, he revealed that he would be playing center exclusively at the Shrine Bowl.

Duke OL Brian Parker II made every career start at RT/LT but will be taking snaps at center exclusively for the duration of the Shrine Bowl.

"If you want to draft me at tackle, draft me at tackle, or bump me inside to center or guard, this is what I am here to show this week."

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Measuring 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 306 pounds, Parker is slightly undersized to play along the offensive interior. Still, his movement abilities can be maximized by a team that utilizes a zone blocking scheme as well as blocking in space.

The Chiefs do not need a starter at any spot along the interior offensive line, but Parker has proven to be a versatile player and quick learner, and would have good value as a backup when first entering the league.

This was a good double team rep from Brian Parker and Joe Cooper. I like how Parker was able to take over the block and get his head around to end the play.

The DT Dontay Corleone is no slouch either. pic.twitter.com/VoTMGH9BPv

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

For not taking snaps at center since high school, Parker appeared to be gaining comfort, and having positional versatility will boost his draft stock.

2. Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame​

One of the standouts from the early practice sessions was Notre Dame tackle Aamil Wagner. A two-year starter in college, Wagner wasted no time showing off his game.

Great recovery from Amail Wagner. Gives up his chest a little bit early, but fights to reset and re anchor. pic.twitter.com/mU30jQevSc

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 306 pounds with longer than 34-inch arms, Wagner is a little bit on the lighter side for an offensive lineman, but he makes up for it with solid athletic ability and long arms.

Wagner projects to be a swing tackle early on in his career, and through the course of practice, he seamlessly transitioned from left to right tackle.

Solid snap from Amail Wagner. pic.twitter.com/uYhcu5GsWf

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

A smooth mover, Wagner fires out of his stance comfortably, locks on, and fights to anchor himself to finish the play. He will need to work on his striking ability, but his build and movement skills should have the Chiefs interested in pursuing him later on in the draft.

3. Caden Barnett, Wyoming​

One of the risers of the week has been the Wyoming standout. Barnett played tackle during his time at Wyoming, but will look to slide to the interior in the NFL. This week at Shrine Bowl practices, he lined up primarily at right guard.

Caden Barnett with the good lateral quickness and strong hands to stop the pass rush. pic.twitter.com/uHuQN7L6VR

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

A heavy-handed brawler, Barnett has advanced hand-fighting skills, and with a strong base, he was able to anchor himself down and win pass protection snaps.

Barnett had a fist fight in a phone booth style, and he was not shy when I asked him about the mentality an offensive lineman has to have in the NFL.

I asked Wyoming OL Caden Barnett what his favorite part of playing OL is.

"The physicality, I love moving a grown man against his will from point A to point B. I'm a mauler."

His favorite play is power, he likes "running through someones face".

Football guys football guy

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

At just a hair under 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 316 pounds with 32-inch arms, Barnett is a hair undersized and will likely be a reserve early on in his career. However, if he can continue to string together more solid performances, he will have a chance to be drafted and develop into an interior swing player. The Chiefs need depth along the interior, so he will be a player to keep an eye on for Day 3 of the draft.

4. James Neal III, Iowa State​

Starting his college career at Independence Community College in Kansas, Neal eventually found his way to Iowa State, where he lined up all over the line of scrimmage during his college career. As a Senior, he started every game at left tackle, and this is where he found himself at for Shrine Bowl practices.

Good pass pro rep from James Neal III. Plays the spin well and runs his man up the arc. pic.twitter.com/DSEpZvVcH5

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

Neal is a good athlete, along with a stature of 6 feet 4 inches tall and 322 pounds with nearly 34” long arms; he profiles to play tackle or guard in the NFL.

He carries his weight well, and quick feet and a strong core help him to win pass-blocking snaps, while good bend and power transfer help him to root out defenders in the run game.

Neal comes from a downhill rushing offense at Iowa State, and he shared with me what his favorite play to run in college was.

James Neal III, OT from Iowa State, said his favorite play to run in college was a "duo scheme with a tackle pull". Said he "really liked to pull as a tackle".

He mentioned the best opposing player he faced was former KU edge and current Chicago Bear Austin Booker.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 23, 2026

Given his athletic profile, any play where Neal could pull to get into space would be a benefit for him. Athletic, moldable talent like Neal is what the Chiefs will be seeking in the late rounds of the draft and undrafted free agency.

5. Faialili Fa’amoe, Wake Forest​

The All-ACC performer has looked solid in practice this week and is making a case to be drafted. At 6 feet 4 inches tall and 311 pounds with 33.68” arms, Fa’amoe projects more as a guard in the NFL, but his performance against other top competition at the Shrine Bowl should leave the door open for him to play right tackle at the next level.

Fa’alili Fa’amoe from Wake Forest had some nice snaps in pass protection. Good footwork solid base and core. Nasty finish. pic.twitter.com/z60RFQjsQm

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 26, 2026

Fa’amoe has been solid in pass protection and shown a nasty streak as well. His fundamentals in pass protection have showcased an agile and quick tackle, with a good understanding of momentum and the angles needed to take away the defender’s ability to bend the arc.

His footwork and core are good for a tackle, but his hands are good as well. This combination should help him to climb up draft boards.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-shrine-bowl-5-offensive-linemen-chiefs-draft

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Eric Bieniemy has a ‘standard of excellence’ he expects Chiefs to meet

Days after officially returning as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, Eric Bieniemy spoke with the Kansas City media on Wednesday. Bieniemy spent a decade on Kansas City’s staff from 2013 to 2022 and was the offensive coordinator for his last five seasons with the Chiefs.

Bieniemy left the team following the Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl LVII. He spent the 2023 season as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders before leading UCLA’s offense in 2024. In 2025, he was the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Bears ranked fourth in the league this season with 0.04 expected points added (EPA) per rush play.

Currently, Bieniemy is working through how the concepts he has learned in three years away from Kansas City can help the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid.

“I’ve had an opportunity to learn a few things,” he remarked. “I’ve obviously opened my mind to how to view things from a different point of view. It’s great, but on top of that, we’ve got to make sure we’re getting down to what’s best for us when it’s all said and done with.”

“Anybody can present an idea,” Bieniemy acknowledged. “More importantly, we need to make sure, first and foremost, that we’re taking a look at anything we need to continue to improve on or continue working with and making sure we’re getting all the answers first with that and then just figure out where we need to go from there.”

Stepping out of Reid’s shadow allowed Bieniemy to develop as a communicator.

“I think it’s helped me in a number of ways,” said the coach. “When you’re doing it on your own, you’ve got to find creative ways to implement a system. You learn a lot about yourself — the good, the bad, and the ugly. All ideas are not bad ideas; we just need to be receptive to them. Just the dynamic of working with people, learning how to communicate and articulate your plan, and getting them to buy in — I think all that helps.”

“I’ve learned a lot over the years,” Bieniemy pointed out. “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m excited just to get started. Obviously, today is Day 1. I want to make sure on Day 2, 3, 4 and 5 we hit the ground running with all this excitement and all this energy that’s being created.”

Because he is just coming off a postseason run with the Bears, Bieniemy admits he is still in the early stages of planning what can be done to improve the Chiefs, who struggled offensively down the stretch of a disappointing 6-11 season. While away, however, he continued to look at Kansas City for ideas on new plays of his own.

“I really haven’t had an opportunity to dig in and really study it like I want to,” he offered. “Every now and then, I would pick up a few ideas or a few plays here and there. But I really haven’t had a chance to dig in like I want to. I’m going to spend this time during this period just to figure out the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent.”

One area Bieniemy should make an immediate impact on is resurrecting the Chiefs’ lethargic run game. He will work with Reid — and offensive line coach Andy Heck — on solutions to make that portion of the offense more exciting.

“With Coach Reid,” he predicted, “we’re going to figure out things that we need to do moving forward as far as making sure we get the right people in the building. When it’s all said and done with, we’re going to make sure we can do the things that we do best. We have one of the better O-line coaches in the industry in Coach Heck. He does an outstanding job with those guys up front.”

“Have I been exposed to a number of run schemes? Yes,” Bieniemy reflected aloud. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to make sure that we’re doing what’s best for us moving forward. I think that’s just a general overall plan.”

Since Bieniemy left, the Chiefs have (fairly or not) been perceived to lack accountability on offense both for coaches and players. Bieniemy expects all individuals — players and assistants — to be coachable.

“That’s why we get paid,” he declared. “We’re coaches. It’s our job to come up with answers. We’ve got to make sure we can give solutions to the answers and resolve it. We’ve got a great coaching staff. We’ve got great people. I feel like I’m back in with family. We’re all very familiar with each other, so we’ll sit down and figure everything out together.”

As for players, Bieniemy is excited to start fresh with new ideas, but the vocal, hard-nosed coach fans saw for a decade remains.

“There are some things about me that have changed,” Bieniemy stated, “but more than anything, EB is EB. We will still be disciplined in detail in everything in how we handle our business. There’s a standard of performance. There’s a standard of excellence that will be expected. But on top of that, there’s been a great deal of wealth that I’ve learned through the good and the bad. The thing that I appreciate is it’s just helped me to grow into this role and have this opportunity to be in this situation again.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...27/eric-bieniemy-standard-excellence-expected

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey nominated for NFL Protector of the Year award

In its inaugural season, the Protector of the Year award will be given to the best NFL offensive lineman from the 2025 campaign, symbolizing “protection, durability, and the unsung heroics of the players who shield their teammates and drive their teams forward.”

That description fits Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey perfectly, so it’s no surprise that he is one of 6 nominees for the award. Along with Humphrey, here are the five others according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

• Left tackle Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos
• Center Aaron Brewer, Miami Dolphins
• Right guard Quinn Meinerz, Broncos
• Left guard Joe Thuney, Chicago Bears
• Right tackle Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

This past season, Humphrey was honored as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the second consecutive year. He started all 17 regular-season games for the fifth season in a row, or all five seasons he has been in the NFL.

He will compete with the four other starters on the All-Pro first team and the center on the All-Pro second team. The award winner will likely be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony held on the Thursday before Super Bowl LX.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...d-humphrey-nominated-nfl-protector-year-award

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

REPORT: Chiefs are hiring two assistant coaches from college ranks

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 22: Kansas City Chiefs helmets on the side lines prior to the game against the Chicago Bears on August 22nd, 2025 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

On Thursday morning, two separate reports provided more information on the new coaching staff being assembled by the Kansas City Chiefs.

• According to senior reporter Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Chiefs will be hiring Villanova wide receivers coach Nate Pagan to be a quality control coach.
• ESPN’s Pete Thamel published a report saying Kansas City is expected to hire Coastal Carolina safeties coach C.J. Cox as a quality control coach.

Pagan is coming off his seventh season as the wide receivers coach for the Villanova Wildcats after two years as an offensive assistant at the school. One of the most successful players he coached in his time was wide receiver Jaaron Hayek, who earned a spot on the Chiefs’ 90-man offseason roster after standing out at rookie minicamp in 2024.

Cox is a well-known defensive backs coach collegiately; he has led the cornerbacks or safeties for a college football program every year since 2017. He has participated in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship three times, including twice with the Chiefs during the 2022 and 2023 offseasons.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...t-chiefs-hiring-two-assistant-coaches-college

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs request to interview familiar face for running backs coach

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Deland McCullough looks on wearing his Bose headset during game action in a preseason NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears on August 25, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to change the coaching staff this offseason, Deland McCullough has emerged as a name to monitor for the running backs coach position. McCullough is a familiar figure in Kansas City, having held the role from 2018 through the 2020 season, a span that included a Super Bowl LIV championship and consecutive AFC titles.

During his initial tenure with the Chiefs, McCullough coached a deep and rotating backfield that featured Kareem Hunt, Damien Williams, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Darrel Williams. His units were consistently trusted in pass protection and situational football, aligning closely with Andy Reid’s offensive priorities during that stretch.

After the 2020 season, McCullough returned to the college ranks. He spent time at Indiana before joining Notre Dame as running backs coach and associate head coach, where he helped oversee a productive ground attack. While in South Bend, McCullough coached Jeremiyah Love, a highly regarded running back who developed into one of the nation’s most explosive offensive players. McCullough played a significant role in Love’s recruitment and was closely involved in his development at Notre Dame.

Love has since become a common fixture in early mock drafts, with draft analyst Mel Kiper projecting him to Kansas City at No. 9 overall. There is no indication the Chiefs’ interest in McCullough would be tied to any specific draft plan, and league sources consistently caution against linking coaching hires to future draft outcomes. Still, the overlap is worth noting given McCullough’s familiarity with both the Chiefs’ system and a prospect who may be on their draft board.

Most recently, McCullough returned to the NFL as the Las Vegas Raiders’ running backs coach, reestablishing his presence at the professional level. As the Chiefs weigh experience, continuity and player development, McCullough’s résumé provides a logical reference point — even if some connections ultimately prove coincidental.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...t-interview-familiar-face-running-backs-coach

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs two-round mock draft by The Athletic adds to both sides of ball

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Tight end Eli Stowers #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores catches a pass while being defended by defensive back Derek Williams Jr. #2 of the Texas Longhorns during the SEC college football between Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores on November 1, 2025, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The college all-star showcases are wrapping up with the Senior Bowl this weekend, and the 2026 NFL Draft class is rounding into shape.

The NFL Scouting Combine and free agency are still to come, but that hasn’t stopped football writers from cooking up mock drafts. On Thursday, The Athletic authored a two-round mock draft, giving Chiefs fans a preview of the second-round possibilities in addition to those at ninth overall.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami

Miami led the nation in sacks, and Bain was an offense-wrecking machine. He frequently drew double teams, yet still finished with 9.5 sacks and 83 total pressures, according to PFF. Lined up alongside Chris Jones, Bain immediately would revitalize the Chiefs’ slumping defense.

40. Kansas City Chiefs: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

My analysis​

It’s hard to argue with the sudden boost Bain would provide the Chiefs’ defense, especially the pass rush. Kansas City has stocked the defensive end position with sound, strong players who excel with discipline and execution more than talent to pressure the quarterback.

Bain has the individual tools to be a one-man wrecking crew, similar to Chris Jones. We’ve seen how unblockable Jones can be as the only real threat, so imagine two players needing prioritized attention on the Chiefs’ front.

With arguably the team’s biggest need addressed with a high-end pick, Kansas City can be flexible with the 40th pick. Here, the organization is matched with the second tight end off the board. Stowers won the Mackey Award in 2025 for college football’s best tight end and earned first-team All-SEC honors.

Stowers was originally a quarterback recruit out of Denton, Texas, and enrolled at Texas A&M as the 106th-ranked player nationally by 247sports. After two seasons as a reserve quarterback, Stowers transferred to New Mexico State and successfully transitioned to tight end. He earned honorable mention All-Conference USA in 2023, then moved on to become one of the nation’s best tight ends at Vanderbilt for two more seasons.

Eli Stowers
6’4” | 235 lbs | TE | Vanderbilt

Among qualified, draft-eligible TEs in 2025:

769 yards (1st)
62 receptions (2nd)
2.55 YPRR (2nd)
3.08 YPRR vs zone (2nd)

Efficiency + volume from a TE with this little buzz is rare. pic.twitter.com/TpgxNebQY0

— Jonny Tooma (@FantasyPicasso) January 26, 2026

Over the last two seasons, Stowers has combined for 1,407 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. The selection would likely be the franchise’s best attempt to move past the potential retirement of tight end Travis Kelce. However, if Kelce were to be teamed up with Stowers, it could completely change the dynamic of the Chiefs’ offense.

Is Stowers a worthwhile pick at 40th overall? Who else would you consider for the Chiefs with such a high pick in the second round? Let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-mock-draft-the-athletic-adds-offense-defense

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

5 players to watch at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) blocks Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young (9) in the first quarter of an SEC football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl is set to take place on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Arrowhead time, and will be broadcast on the NFL Network.

The game will provide draft prospects a chance to give scouts and coaches one last padded look before the unofficial start to draft season at the NFL Scouting Combine. This week has been full of risers and fallers, and some players have made a tremendous impact in a short period of time.

Here are five players to watch in the game:

1. DE Zion Young, Missouri​

Young had a standout season for the Tigers in 2025, and this week, he has raised his draft stock with a dominating effort at the Senior Bowl practices.

The power that Missouri’s Zion Young has shown at the Senior Bowl is terrifying. You don’t want to see him lining up across from you in a four-point stance with those bent elbows. pic.twitter.com/qCksPcbCZh

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2026

Young measured at 6 feet 5 inches tall and 262 pounds with 33.48” long arms. The prototypical height and weight for an NFL defensive end, Young has shown off a terrifying combination of power and flexibility that has helped him dominate practices. Young has been projected to go in the third round of the NFL Draft, but with a great performance this week, his stock has been rapidly rising.

The Chiefs selecting Young at nine would be a stretch, but he could be in play with the 40th pick as an early Day 2 selection.

2. DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech​

Hunter’s Texas Tech teammate David Bailey has been a darling of draft season, but Hunter has put on a show this week during practices, propelling himself into the conversation of the top-tier defensive tackles in this class.

TTU DT Lee Hunter (one of the 1st rounders here in Mobile) still going 100mph on Thursday. Tells you what you need to know about the young man! Just loves ball. pic.twitter.com/YAW6IIXbLm

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) January 29, 2026

Hunter is a load at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 320 pounds, and has all the makings of a cornerstone defensive tackle. He is stout enough to play the 1-technique or nose tackle position, but also has the quickness and burst off the ball to line up and rush the passer as a 3-technique.

Hunter could be working his way into the middle of the first round. If Kansas City decides to trade down from the ninth spot, Hunter could provide great value as a middle first-round selection.

3. Guard Beau Stephens, Iowa​

A local prospect from Blue Springs High School — Go Cats — Stephens has quietly been one of the best players this week at Senior Bowl practices.

Just draft hogs out of Iowa, it usually works out.

Beau Stephens v Lee Hunter. pic.twitter.com/SmzVG3D3eX

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 29, 2026

At Iowa, Stephens was a standout All-Conference linemen, and this week he has put up solid performances against some of the best defensive line talent in college football. Stephens can play both guard positions, and center might not be out of the question for him in the NFL as well.

Stephens can start right away for multiple teams, but if the Chiefs were to take him early on Day 3, he could provide quality depth while honing his skills behind one of the best interiors in football.

4. DT Tim Keenan, Alabama​

Keenan isn’t the flashiest player in the world, but he can become a long-term stalwart as a run stuffer on any team’s defensive line.

Tim Keenan is able to absord the double and drive the OL back while Derrick Moore easily takes on the TE. American DL has been dominating the LOS in the run game pic.twitter.com/33ZKmXqr7D

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 27, 2026

Keenan is a power player, and with great base strength, he uses his 6-foot-1, 330-pound frame to anchor the interior.

Keen will likely fall to the third day of the draft, but this could be a good area for the Chiefs to pick up a quality run stuffer with good potential to develop as a player.

5. LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech​

One of the top defensive players in college football, Rodriguez took home a lot of hardware for his performance during the 2025 season, and he has been backing it up this week at the Senior Bowl practices.

Jacob Rodriguez's coverage ability has been impressive pic.twitter.com/KpdjLlD4Iy

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 29, 2026

Rodriguez played middle linebacker at Texas Tech, but his coverage ability could land him as a weak-side linebacker in the NFL, and given his play style, he would be a great fit for the Chiefs.

Linebacker is not an overwhelming need for Kansas City, but Rodriguez could help solidify a solid group and give the Chiefs tremendous insurance if Nick Bolton were to be injured. Linebacker is a key position in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, and Rodriguez could make an immediate impact.

Others to watch​

Defensive linemen​

EDGE LT Overton, Alabama

EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson

DT Caleb Banks, Florida

EDGE Tyreak Sapp, Florida

DT Darrell Jackson, Florida State

EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan

DT Chris McClellan, Mizzou

Offensive linemen​

OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa

Markel Bell, Miami

Off-Ball Defenders​

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State

LB Nnami Obiazor, TCU

Skill-position players​

TE Justin Joly, North Carolina State

WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

TE Sam Roush, Stanford

WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC

RB J’Mari Taylor, Virginia

TE John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming

---

Who will you have your eye on as you watch the Senior Bowl? Let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...93351/5-players-watch-2026-panini-senior-bowl

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/31: Chiefs have two top-10 defensive free agents

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Bryan Cook #6 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates an interception with Jaylen Watson #35 in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The latest​

2026 NFL Free Agency: 10 defensive free agents who deserve to get paid | Pro Football Focus

S Bryan Cook
Projected AAV: $14.2 million

Although the Chiefs underperformed this past season, Cook made massive strides, earning a career-best 83.5 PFF overall grade, the fifth-highest mark among qualifying safeties. The 26-year-old stood as the only safety to earn above an 80.0-plus PFF grade in both run defense (80.1) and coverage (83.2). He also ranked above the 90th percentile in missed tackle rate among safeties.

While Cook’s grading profile in previous seasons doesn’t jump off the page, he brings experience as a starter in a complex defensive scheme. His talent is undeniable, and at just over $14 million annually, Cook would rank just inside the 12 highest-paid safeties.

CB Jaylen Watson
Projected AAV: $12.5 million

Joining teammate Bryan Cook on this list, Watson is another standout member of the Chiefs’ secondary in line for a lucrative payday. Watson has been one of the most consistent performers in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, earning a 68.0-plus PFF overall grade in each of the past three seasons. Over that span, he notched a 74.9 PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback, placing him in the 85th percentile.

Watson brings high-percentile length at cornerback to make him an enticing option this free agency cycle. At $12.5 million annually, Watson’s projected value would be in line with Brandon Stephens’ three-year, $36 million deal last offseason with the Jets.

NFL carousel leaves Matt Nagy staring down an ugly coaching reality | Sports Illustrated

Three other teams were “in” on Nagy with varied interest, from rumored ties to official interviews, but nothing has panned out. The Baltimore Ravens replaced John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter. The Cardinals were reportedly going to call Nagy, but nothing official has been announced even as Arizona has zeroed in on the likes of L.A. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur or Seattle Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak.

The Las Vegas Raiders are the other team still looking for their head coach, and they’ve actually interviewed Nagy. That’s his best bet at this point, but there’s typically a decent amount of smoke at this point in a hiring process that points toward an obvious candidate. Nagy has none of that working for him this late in the hiring cycle. Things can change, but any sort of head coaching offer feels like a long shot at this stage.

The Chiefs need to re-sign Tyquan Thornton (and actually use him) | Arrowhead Addict

Yards per route in 2025

Rashee Rice – 2.16
Tyquan Thornton 1.7
Hollywood Brown – 1.49
Xavier Worthy – 1.26
Juju Smith-Schuster – .89

For some context, other wideouts who averaged close to 1.7 yards per route run last season include Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, Romeo Doubs, and Khalil Shakir. Meanwhile, other wideouts who played regularly and averaged around Xavier Worthy’s 1.26 YPRR include Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, Darius Slayton, and Pat Bryant. Ironically, Skyy Moore also averaged 1.26 YPRR on limited offensive snaps with the 49ers last season.

On a team where they struggled to get wide receiver production outside of Rashee Rice and struggled to create big plays down the field, it is inexcusable that they kept Thornton on the sideline while giving Kansas City’s two least efficient wideouts (Worthy and Smith-Schuster) each over 600 offensive snaps. It makes zero sense. Just look at these yards per reception numbers.

Around the NFL​

NFL salary cap to crest $300 million in 2026 | USA Today

The NFL informed its clubs on Jan. 30 that the league’s salary cap is expected to increase to between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per team in 2026, according to a person with knowledge of the announcement. The person spoke to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity because the numbers were not yet official.

If finalized, the increase would be up to $26.5 million higher than the $279.2 million teams could work with under the 2025 cap.

Sources: Seahawks will go up for sale after Super Bowl LX | ESPN

Paul Allen agreed to buy the Seahawks from Ken Behring in 1996, with the deal becoming official in 1997. The deal saved the team from a potential relocation to Southern California. If sold again, the franchise could set a record for an NFL team sale price coming off a Super Bowl appearance and possibly a championship.

The Seahawks have made the playoffs in seven of the past 10 years. They are based at legendary Lumen Field, which opposing players have said is one of the toughest stadiums to play at and which is receiving nearly $20 million in upgrades ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The franchise also has one of the NFL’s best-regarded general manager-head coach combinations in John Schneider and Mike Macdonald.

Sports teams valuations have been soaring in recent years. Sportico values the Seahawks at $6.59 billion, the 14th highest in the NFL, according to its ranking. The most recent NFL team to sell was the Washington Commanders, which a group led by Josh Harris purchased in 2023 for a record $6.05 billion. The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers sold a majority stake in the team at a $10 billion valuation in June.

One team executive told ESPN that the Seahawks could fetch $7 billion to $8 billion.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Jeremiyah Love to the Chiefs is nothing more than a pipe dream

Let’s say the Chiefs go the “cheap” route and sign Allgeier or Dowdle. That would likely account for roughly $5 million against the cap in the 2026 season. Doubling down on the position with Love would also come with a hefty price: Kelvin Banks Jr., the ninth-overall selection last year, signed a four-year deal worth $28 million. His first year had a cap hit of $5 million.

Are the Chiefs suddenly spending eight figures and utilizing a top-10 overall selection to fix the running back position? Some may believe that’s the best use of resources. Reasonable minds can disagree. I certainly don’t view it that way. This team has too many holes at too many valuable positions to spend that much precious capital on the backfield.

Social media to make you think​

NFL salary cap over the years:

2013: $123M
2014: $133M
2015: $143.28M
2016: $155.27M
2017: $167M
2018: $177.2M
2019: $188.2M
2020: $198.2M
2021: $182.5M
2022: $208.2M
2023: $224.8M
2024: $255.4M
2025: $279.2M
2026: $301.2M-$305.7M (projected)

Business is booming. https://t.co/lNPmrwBQq0

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

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

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans.../1-31-chiefs-two-top-10-defensive-free-agents

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Jeremiyah Love to the Chiefs is nothing more than a pipe dream

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 15: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

How could you not dream about the idea of Jeremiyah Love in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense? Some of head coach Andy Reid’s best work has come with all-purpose backs like Brian Westbrook, Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt.

It’s fun. It’s exciting. It would be a return to fireworks on offense for the Chiefs.

If you haven’t watched Love’s highlights, you should find the time. He makes everything look easy. It’s almost as if he’s gliding on the football field. His stops and starts are immediate. He is capable of running through or around would-be tacklers. He has the vision to wiggle through tight spaces in short-yardage situations or near the goal line. He’s also a worthwhile receiver out of the backfield.

Pro Football Focus credits him with just one fumble in his entire collegiate career. If you were evaluating prospects in this draft without accounting for positional value, he might be the best football player of the bunch.

The fit in Kansas City is about more than just Love’s talent, though. An overhaul in the running back room feels necessary this offseason; the position especially needs more juice.

Isiah Pacheco appeared to be that back during his breakout campaign in 2023 when he accounted for five carries of 30 or more yards, but that was just an outlier. Chiefs running backs had six such carries in total between the 2020-2022 and 2024-2025 seasons.

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry had seven carries of 30 or more yards last season; Love finished with 15 carries of 30 or more yards over the past two years at Notre Dame.

It’s hard to move the ball consistently in the NFL nowadays; burst and explosiveness are needed. Love will add that for whichever team selects him in the first round.

I just don’t see a scenario in which it would make sense for that team to be the Chiefs. Not with a top-10 pick. Not with the way the NFL’s offseason is structured.

This is when reality kicks in​

I understand anyone who prefers to stay in fantasyland. It’s late January, and we still have months before we reach this year’s NFL Draft. I just can’t help myself. I’m a pragmatist at heart.

General manager Brett Veach’s approach to the offseason has always been to enter the NFL Draft with a roster he would feel comfortable playing with on opening night. It’s a smart approach. It allows Veach to take the best player available, regardless of position, to some degree.

An example of this played out last offseason.

Veach knew he couldn’t go into the season without a significant addition at left tackle; he couldn’t assume that answer would present itself late in the first round. An investment was necessary in free agency, and Jaylon Moore was the answer. Moore’s presence meant the Chiefs had a clear plan at a premium position regardless of how the draft played out.

If Veach knew then what he knows now — that Josh Simmons would be available late in the first round — would he have signed Moore? Probably not. But he didn’t have that information at the time. He had to insulate himself from the possibility that a starting option wouldn’t be there when the Chiefs selected. They couldn’t enter the draft without an answer at such an important position. It was an expensive insurance policy to protect Patrick Mahomes.

A similar scenario could present itself this offseason, this time at the running back position.

Kansas City will have to decide the plan of attack for improving running back far before knowing if Love will be available or not with the ninth overall pick. That likely means attacking the position in free agency, which comes with a cost.

To sign any of the top six backs in free agency, the Chiefs would have to pay a significant premium for a position the team hasn’t valued at that rate in the past.

Chiefs running back spending in the Mahomes era, per Over The Cap:

• 2018 – $3.8 million (26th)
• 2019 – $6.7 million (15th)
• 2020 – $5 million (25th)
• 2021 – $5.4 million (25th)
• 2022 – $6.3 million (17th)
• 2023 – $6 million (19th)
• 2024 – $4.3 million (29th)
• 2025 – $4.9 million (31st)

Pro Football Focus has contract projections associated with each of their top 50 free agents heading into the offseason. Nine running backs fit into that criteria.

1. Breece Hall – 3 years, $37 million ($25 million guaranteed)
2. Travis Etienne – 3 years, $34.5 million ($22.5 million guaranteed)
3. Kenneth Walker – 3 years, $27 million ($20 million guaranteed)
4. Javonte Williams – 3 years, $23 million ($13.5 million guaranteed)
5. Tyler Allgeier – 2 years, $18 million ($5 million guaranteed)
6. Rico Dowdle – 2 years, $17 million ($11.5 million guaranteed)
7. Rachaad White – 2 years, $11 million ($8 million guaranteed)
8. J.K. Dobbins – 1 year, $5.5 million ($3.5 million guaranteed)
9. Najee Harris – 1 year, $1.3 million ($350,000 guaranteed)

Let’s say the Chiefs go the “cheap” route and sign Allgeier or Dowdle. That would likely account for roughly $5 million against the cap in the 2026 season. Doubling down on the position with Love would also come with a hefty price: Kelvin Banks Jr., the ninth-overall selection last year, signed a four-year deal worth $28 million. His first year had a cap hit of $5 million.

Are the Chiefs suddenly spending eight figures and utilizing a top-10 overall selection to fix the running back position? Some may believe that’s the best use of resources. Reasonable minds can disagree. I certainly don’t view it that way. This team has too many holes at too many valuable positions to spend that much precious capital on the backfield.

I marvel at the idea of Jeremiyah Love in a Chiefs uniform. I wouldn’t be opposed to that outcome if the draft were held in March and free agency took place in April. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality we live in.

Love is going to make an NFL fan base very happy. If Veach continues to operate the way he has in the past, I would be surprised if that fan base is located in Kansas City.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kansas-city-chiefs-news/193432/jeremiyah-love-chiefs-pipe-dream

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/30: Chiefs graded B- for hiring Eric Bieniemy

Nov 7, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy leaves the field after defeating the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The latest​

Grading every offensive and defensive coordinator hire: Chargers hit home run, Lions and Commanders take risks | CBS Sports

Offensive coordinator: Eric Bieniemy
Grade: B-

DeArdo: Like an old sitcom trying to relive its glory days, the Chiefs are clearly hoping Bieniemy can help them get back to what they once were.

From a familiarity standpoint, this makes a ton of sense. While his tough love coaching style isn’t for everyone, Bieniemy clearly has a strong working relationship with Patrick Mahomes, and that’s a big deal. If Bieniemy can help Mahomes return to MVP form, that’s what matters most.

That said, a coach is only as good as his players. Travis Kelce will be 37 next season, and Mahomes will be 31. Kansas City also doesn’t have anyone who can replicate what Tyreek Hill gave them during their first Super Bowl run. In short, Bieniemy will have to adjust to what the Chiefs are now, not what they used to be.

2 Reasons McCullough Isn’t a Lock as Chiefs RB Coach | Sports Illustrated

2. Kubiak watch

And if the Raiders win the Kubiak sweepstakes, they might want to give him the opportunity to keep McCullough, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top running backs coaches.

Related to that, because teams can’t hire Kubiak until after the Super Bowl, they’d be reducing the time he has to hire his first coaching staff. That’s a reason the Raiders, and Cardinals for that matter, might want to decline interview requests for coaches under contract until hiring their head coaches.

Ashton Gillotte’s rookie year may force Chiefs into bold offseason cut | Arrowhead Addict

That means the Chiefs’ defensive ends currently under contract for next season are Karlaftis, Gillotte, Danna, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who has underwhelmed and is coming off an injury. When you look at it that way, Gillotte is clearly Kansas City’s second-best defensive end under contract for next season. However, the Chiefs simply can’t enter the season with him as their No. 2 defensive end.

The Chiefs must find an upgrade at defensive end opposite George Karlaftis, particularly on passing downs. Gillotte seems better suited for Danna’s former role as an early-down run stopper who comes off the field (or kicks inside) on passing downs. Consequently, the Chiefs could save almost $9 million by releasing Danna this offseason. As a rookie, Gillotte generated more pressure and graded out stronger against the run than Danna did.

Predicting 10 big-name NFL trade candidates and the teams that will cut a deal | FanSided

CB Trent McDuffie
Landing spot: Washington Commanders

Trent McDuffie hopes to reset the cornerback market in the next year, which puts his Chiefs future in doubt. The 25-year-old missed four games this season, but still logged an interception along with 63 tackles, doing his part despite Kansas City’s collective collapse. The Chiefs still have tons of long-term money on the books and probably don’t want to hand McDuffie a record-breaking contract, which sets the wheels in motion for a trade.

Enter the Washington Commanders. Dan Quinn has proven his ability to lead a great defense, but Washington just bled points last season. The roster is way too old, and the DB room features more than its share of question marks. McDuffie can come in, in the prime of his career, and give the Commanders a new long-term staple on the outside. Lest we forget, the Commanders are only a year removed from an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.

Around the NFL​

Bills’ Josh Allen expects to be ready for OTAs after foot surgery | ESPN

He was on crutches with his right foot in a walking boot following surgery Monday morning in Birmingham, Alabama. The surgery was done on a broken bone in his foot — the fifth metatarsal. Allen, 29, said the injury stemmed from an older incident that he aggravated in a Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns. He did not miss any playing time due to the injury, though the reigning MVP described it as painful.

Allen did have to decline his appearance at the Pro Bowl Games during Super Bowl week due to injury.

“It’s a little painful right now, but it wasn’t a crazy surgery,” Allen said. “So not too long [of a recovery]. OTAs, I’ll be back and [it] shouldn’t hinder anything.”

Ex-Broncos OC Joe Lombardi: Sean Payton ‘was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made’ | NFL.com

“Sean decided to move on, and I guess that’s all there is to say,” Lombardi told Tomasson in a phone interview. “I don’t think it’s ever a surprise (in the NFL). Not really. … I think you could tell he (Payton) was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made and I guess he decided one of those was me. So I’ve been around him long enough to kind of read the tea leaves, I guess.”

Lombardi joined the Broncos when Payton was hired in 2023. He’d been with Payton, on and off, throughout his NFL career, spending 12 years under him across two stints with the New Orleans Saints.

Falcons restructure Kirk Cousins’ contract, will likely release him by March: Source | The Athletic

Atlanta converted Cousins’ 2026 salary from $35 million to $2.1 million, according to a league source, moving the leftover $32.9 million to his 2027 base salary, making his base salary for that season $67.9 million. The move essentially guarantees Cousins will be released before March 13 because that entire $67.9 million would be due to him if he’s still on the roster then.

Releasing Cousins with a post-June 1 designation would cost the Falcons $35 million of dead cap hit, which can be split into two payments of $22.5 million (2026) and $12.5 million (2027). This week’s move frees up some of that money earlier for Atlanta.

Cousins said Sunday that he wants to return for a 15th NFL season in 2026 and would be open to continuing to play in Atlanta.

“I’d like to keep playing, but we’ll see how things play out in March or even after that,” he said. “I would love to be back here. We’ll see how things play out. At this point, you kind of just see where it goes.”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Exploring the Chiefs’ options at right tackle this offseason

Free Agent Options

As alluded to earlier, the tackle market is bad. The Chiefs shouldn’t be in the Braden Smith market. Conklin and Havenstein are old and oft-injured. Even a younger player like Jonah Williams doesn’t make sense, as he’s played 15 games in two years. Maybe shoot for some depth, but free agency isn’t going to be how the Chiefs solve right tackle.

Draft Options

Let’s discuss the ninth overall pick. Should it be used on a right tackle? I don’t think so. It has nothing to do with the tackles that could be available; Utah right tackle Spencer Fano or Miami right tackle Francis Mauioga both are good players worthy of going top-10.

The problem with taking a right tackle at 9 is the idea of diminishing returns. The Chiefs already have a strong offensive line when healthy. How much better could their offensive line get?

Social media to make you think​

Reported #Chiefs WR coach Chad O’Shea was with Bieniemy and Brad Childress with the Vikings in 2006-2008

Deland McCullough was the RB coach for Reid and Bieniemy from 2018-2020 during the Chiefs first Super Bowl win.

— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) January 29, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

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

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...427/1-30-chiefs-graded-b-hiring-eric-bieniemy

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

In Week 22’s ‘Reacts’ poll, Chiefs fans disagree on Mack Lee Hill award

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 14: Nohl Williams #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks up a pass intended for Devonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/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.

Who should have won the team MVP?​

---

The Chiefs fans polled agree with the team’s voting for the Derrick Thomas Team MVP award: quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The “Other” category beat out tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones. Center Creed Humphrey may have been considered, given he was the team’s lone representative on the AP All-Pro team for the 2025 season.

---

Who should have won Rookie of the Year?​

---

While the team voted defensive end Ashton Gillotte as the Mack Lee Hill Rookie of the Year, the polled fans believe the award should have been given to cornerback Nohl Williams. Left tackle Josh Simmons even earned more votes than Gillotte, despite starting just eight games in 2025.

---

Click here to see other recent survey results.

---

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/nfl-reacts-survey/193555/week-22-results

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs sign quarterback Jake Haener to a reserve/future contract

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 07: Jake Haener #3 of the New Orleans Saints scrambles out of the pocket during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 7, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Kansas City Chiefs are signing former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener to the offseason roster.

The #Chiefs are signing QB Jake Haener, source says. The former fourth-round pick of the #Saints was on the practice squad to end the season. His contract expired and he chose to head to Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/t8kT9IjJ3W

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 2, 2026

Haener appeared to confirm the report via social media.

Ah, source: Haener. All right then. pic.twitter.com/BVthSpweew

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 2, 2026

The NFL’s official transactions report on Monday confirmed that the team is adding Haener on a reserve/future contract. The pact will become official when the league year begins March 11.

Haener started his college career at Washington, where he started four games in 2018. He then transferred to Fresno State and started 33 games from 2020 through 2022. At Fresno State, Haener played with Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio and reserve tight end Tre Watson.

Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, Haener was named the Senior Bowl MVP. Although the Saints drafted him in the fourth round with the 127th overall selection, Haener’s NFL career began with a six-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. Haener did not play in his rookie season after being activated from suspension.

In 2024, Haener appeared in eight games as the Saints managed quarterback Derek Carr’s injury-plagued final season. He came in during a “Monday Night Football” contest against the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium after Carr was knocked from the game with an oblique injury. For his career, Haener has completed 18 passes for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

With the Saints’ new coaching staff choosing to build around 2025 second round selection Tyler Shough at quarterback this season, Haener was waived at the final roster cutdown. He spent the 2025 season on New Orleans’ practice squad.

The Chiefs will manage this offseason not knowing when star quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be available after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in December. With Mahomes likely out until training camp in even the best-case scenario, expect the Chiefs to make multiple moves in the quarterback room. Before adding Haener, longtime practice squad passer Chris Oladokun was the only healthy quarterback on the 2026 roster.

Haener’s presence does not change expectations that Kansas City will seek a veteran backup to run the offseason program. Even with his signing, the Chiefs may add to the room in the later rounds of April’s draft or by aggressively signing one of top remaining arms in undrafted free agency.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...arterback-jake-haener-reserve-future-contract

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

CBS Sports mock draft has Chiefs drafting a big riser from Senior Bowl

Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) scrambles with the ball while being chased by Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The college all-star showcases wrapped up with the Senior Bowl this weekend, and the 2026 NFL Draft class is rounding into shape.

With fresh takeaways from Mobile, Alabama, CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson authored a first-round mock draft on Sunday. It featured the Kansas City Chiefs selecting one of the biggest risers from the Senior Bowl.

Round 1 — Pick 9
Caleb Banks, Defensive Line
Florida — Senior — 6’5” / 330 lbs

At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, Banks is surprisingly explosive for his size, playing with power, juice and a nonstop motor. A foot injury sidelined him for parts of the 2025 season, but he took part in all three Senior Bowl practices and was pretty much unblockable on every rep. If he’s fully healthy, he has top-10 ability.

My analysis​

Banks is a talented player and would be a great addition to the Chiefs’ defensive line, but taking him at the ninth overall selection would be far too high, especially when there is a chance that he could still be around when the Chiefs pick in the second round with the 40th overall selection.

This draft cycle’s defensive line class is deep, and the Chiefs could have better options or more important needs to address with the ninth selection.

If the top-tier edge rushers are gone, and the Chiefs do not like what is available at wide receiver, the front office should look to the defensive interior.

That said, if players like Lee Hunter from Texas Tech or Kayden McDonald from Ohio State are available, those would be better answers for Kansas City.

Banks is a great talent, but a broken foot last season raises medical concerns, and he does have a few inconsistencies in his profile.

Player evaluation​

Caleb Banks ability to win quickly and penetrate would be instantly valued in KC.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) February 1, 2026

Caleb Banks — measuring at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 335 pounds with 35-inch arms at the Senior Bowl — is a good penetrator and can make an immediate impact with his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and create havoc in the backfield.

Quick win for Banks. Good swim to knock the guard off balance and win the A gap. He does need to work on finishing plays, but a good start. pic.twitter.com/PAUvDCkxsD

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) February 1, 2026

The Chiefs require a player who can get into the backfield quickly, and while Banks needs to work on his ability to finish plays, he has the tools and potential to develop nicely in the NFL.

Kansas City did not have anyone on the defensive line last season capable of winning snaps quickly once defensive tackle Chris Jones was double-teamed, and the four-man pass rush suffered because of it.

Good rip here from Caleb Banks. Good inside hands and quikness to throw it and take the B gap. pic.twitter.com/zCYvZkxvir

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) February 1, 2026

Banks can help with this, but he is not an every-down defensive tackle, and has things to work on in regards to finishing plays, pad level or playing disciplined football.

The ninth pick is a reach for Banks — and the Chiefs should be looking at edge and wide receiver first— but if they have the chance to take him at 40, or a chance to trade back into the first round, it would be the right opportunity to take Banks.

His game needs refinement, but there is a lot of potential in the 22-year old.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...k-draft-chiefs-drafting-big-riser-senior-bowl

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Report: Former Chiefs OC Matt Nagy will take over Giants’ offense

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 28: Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs watches second quarter game action during the NFL 2025 game between Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, United States. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the Kansas City Chiefs moving forward with Eric Bieniemy as the offensive coordinator, the coach who formerly held the position has reportedly found his next opportunity.

The #Giants are hiring former #Chiefs OC Matt Nagy as their new offensive coordinator, per The Insiders.

An experienced play-caller who has worked with the game’s best, Nagy fills a key role on John Harbaugh’s staff. pic.twitter.com/qFt5Fh2YSL

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2026

According to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, Matt Nagy will be hired by the New York Giants to be the offensive coordinator in the first season of head coach John Harbaugh’s tenure. Outside of his four-season stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears, this will be Nagy’s first coaching opportunity that is not under head coach Andy Reid.

Harbaugh is a disciple of Big Red, however. In 1998, Harbaugh’s first opportunity to coordinate the Philadelphia Eagles’ special teams came in a disappointing, final season of head coach Ray Rhodes’ tenure. Reid was hired the following offseason and kept Harbaugh on for the next nine seasons until he landed the head coaching job for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008.

2008 was Nagy’s first year as a coaching intern for the Eagles, missing the overlap with Harbaugh by one season. Now, the two will team up to turn around a division rival of each of their original NFL teams.

With the Reid connection, it will be worth monitoring Nagy’s desire to bring assistant coaches with him to New York from Kansas City. When Bieniemy spoke with local media about the future of the staff last week, offensive line coach Andy Heck was the only name dropped among the offensive coaches slated to return from the 2025 season.

Pass-game coordinator Joe Bleymaier has been with the Chiefs for 10 seasons, starting as an offensive quality control coach in 2016. He was also the team’s wide receivers coach for the final two years under Bieniemy’s initial tenure, then moved to his current role under Nagy’s leadership for three seasons.

Quarterbacks coach David Girardi has been in Kansas City since joining the team as an offensive quality control coach in 2018, the first season of Bieniemy’s first stint as the offensive coordinator. He was promoted to quarterbacks coach when Nagy was hired as offensive coordinator before the 2023 season.

Assistant quarterbacks coach Dan Williams started with the Chiefs as a coaching intern in 2019 before two years as the assistant to the head coach. Before Nagy’s first season as offensive coordinator in 2023, Williams was promoted to his current position.

We will provide updates on whether the Giants poach from the Chiefs’ coaching staff to fill out the offensive assistants under Nagy.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...eport-former-chiefs-oc-matt-nagy-hired-giants

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Exploring the Chiefs’ options for the defensive line this offseason

FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 17: Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) and defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) in warm up before a game between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs on December 17, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At the top of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ agenda this offseason should be rehauling the defensive line. The Chiefs have had one of the worst four-man pass rushes over the past two seasons. Additionally, the team must make decisions on pending free agents who play up front on defense.

With defensive tackle Chris Jones turning 32 in 2026 and the Chiefs having a top-10 pick, this feels like the natural time to steer a certain direction with the defensive line.

So let’s go through the current roster decisions on the defensive line, free agents to watch, and some draft prospects to consider.

Current Roster Decisions​

Before looking into players the Chiefs could add, it’s important to know who’s currently on the roster and who is set to hit the open market.

Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis are set to lead the group in 2026; Karlaftis signed an extension with the Chiefs leading into the 2025 season.

However, could the Chiefs consider trading Jones? Without vouching for it, here’s the case: Kansas City would save $15.6 million trading Jones in 2026 while carrying a $29.3 million cap hit. The difficult part is finding proper value: teams would get Jones at a bargain cap hit, but he’s going to be 32 years old in 2026.

There isn’t much precedent for a defensive tackle of Jones’s age being traded; an estimate of the cost would be a second-round pick on top of another asset.

That doesn’t feel valuable enough compared to what Jones brings to the Chiefs’ defense. He had a slow start to the season, but after the bye week, he was playing like a top-5 defensive tackle again. Until Jones starts showing a significant decline, he’s too important to trade.

However, defensive end Mike Danna is expendable; his release would save the team $8.9 million against the cap. Danna has not been effective in getting pressure for two seasons. The front office can find a less-expensive player with a comparable skillset.

The Chiefs drafted two defensive linemen on Day 2: defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott — who tore his ACL in Week 7 — and defensive end Ashton Gillotte. Both should return as depth pieces, with the hope that one could emerge, but they should be considered reserves on the defensive line right now. Neither has shown enough flashes to be strongly considered a starter.

At defensive end, former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah is going to have to earn his roster spot. He rarely flashed in limited snaps over his first two years and was hurt all of his third season. He will have to shine this offseason to stick around.

Among pending free agents, defensive end Charles Omenihu is the most significant — but the Chiefs should not stress over re-signing him. Omenihu hasn’t produced as much pressure since tearing his ACL in the 2023 playoffs. The Chiefs miss his impact, but those plays will need to be made by someone else moving forward.

Defensive tackles Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnadi and Jerry Tillery are other pending free agents. All three could return as reliable depth, but the Chiefs need more talent in the defensive tackle room, so general manager Brett Veach should identify new players to fill at least one or two of these spots.

Free Agent Options​

The free agency class of defensive line is not one to splurge on, with a lot of players past their prime. Veach prefers signing free agents ranging from ages 25-27; those options are limited.

If the Chiefs do decide to make a splash, one personal preference would be Denver Broncos’ defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. He has been a glue player across multiple elite units and defensive fronts with the New York Jets and Broncos. Franklin-Myers isn’t flashy, but he can truly play both on the edge and as a defensive tackle. He can play stout against the run and crush the pocket as a rusher from the end. He’s better inside, where he has the strength and size to deal with double teams and is great at crushing a pocket. He’s essentially a supercharged version of Omenihu, and he should age well due to his versatility.

The other free agent on the personal wish list is Seattle Seahawks defensive end Boye Mafe. Reportedly, the Chiefs had interest in trading for Mafe at the deadline, so that interest could remain. Mafe is more of a rotational pass rusher, but his speed and juice are desperately needed in Kansas City.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Odafe Oweh perfectly fits the Veach timeline for free agents, but the Chargers should re-sign him. He would be an intriguing option if he is available.

NFL Draft Options​

There is plenty of time to dive into these players individually, but the Chiefs should be looking at defensive linemen at all points in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team needs talent and depth at the same time, so using two or three picks on defensive linemen makes sense.

As of today, the smartest use of the ninth-overall pick is addressing the defensive line, in my opinion. It’s a huge need for Kansas City, and it’s a rare opportunity to establish a long-term pillar of the defense trenches next to the aging Jones.

Here is who I would consider at nine:

• DE Reuben Bain Jr., Miami
• DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
• OLB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
• DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

At 40, my favorite options are:

• DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
• DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
• DT Caleb Banks, Florida
• DE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

At 73, my favorite options are:

• DE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
• DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
• DT Dominique Orange, Iowa State
• DE Romello Height, Texas Tech

The Chiefs’ general draft strategy should be using multiple picks along the defensive line to add depth and talent to the room. It is desperately needed.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...oring-chiefs-options-defensive-line-offseason

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Who is the Chiefs’ biggest snub for Pro Football Hall of Fame?

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view during the 2025 Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Gillette Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will soon be revealed, and when it is, there will be two noticeable absences: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and the team’s former eight-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, Bill Belichick.

It’s been speculated that cheating scandals — or Belichick’s general rudeness and disdain for speaking with the media — may have led to him being passed over, while others have criticized the process itself, which limits the number of people who can be voted to be inducted on a specific ballot.

Another point of contention is that NFL owners and head coaches are voted for on the same ballot as NFL senior players who, for one reason or another, have yet to be elected into the Hall. This means that it was always highly unlikely that both Belichick and Kraft would be inducted in the same class.

Personally, you won’t find me shedding any tears over Belichick and Kraft getting ghosted by the committee. It’s not that I don’t think they deserve to be in. Of course, they do—I’m just incapable of feeling any semblance of sympathy for anyone who played for the Patriots dynasty.

But what you will see me do is bang the drum about the ongoing travesty of Kansas City Chiefs legend Jamaal Charles not being named amongst the greatest players to ever step foot on the gridiron.

---

RB Jamaal Charles – 2008-2016​

Some may argue that Charles doesn’t have the career numbers or the hardware to support induction into Canton. To them, I present three facts:

1. Charles’ 7,563 career rushing yards are only 44 yards fewer than current Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, who was inducted in 2017.

2. To this day, Charles holds the NFL record for running backs in yards per attempt (5.4) for all running backs with over 1000 rushing attempts for their career. If you remove the carry threshold, he’s still in second place, only trailing former Cleveland Browns fullback/linebacker Marion Motley (who is also in the Hall of Fame), except Charles has nearly 3000 more career rushing yards than Motley did.

3. Charles 11,402 all-purpose yards are more than Hall of Famers Jim Taylor, Earl Campbell, and Gale Sayers.

---

What do you think?

Who is the biggest Chiefs Hall of Fame snub in history?

Let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...chiefs-biggest-snub-pro-football-hall-of-fame

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Cornerback Nazeeh Johnson thinks Chiefs will re-sign him in free agency

Among the players slated for unrestricted free agency this offseason, there will be a few that the Kansas City Chiefs will be ready to call when rounding out the roster. Cornerback Nazeeh Johnson believes he is one of them.

In a phone interview with Robert Niedzwiecki of The Winchester Star, Johnson sounded confident that Kansas City would welcome his return as free agency plays out.

“I think [the Chiefs] are going to bring me back,” said Johnson in a phone interview last week. “I can test the market and see how much I’m valued, but the Chiefs know what I can do. We can’t have communication right now because of the [free agency rules], but I have a good understanding with them. They know my talent level.”

Johnson spent the majority of the 2025 season on the Reserve/Injured list due to a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason. He was activated to the 53-man roster leading into the Christmas game against the Denver Broncos, but only played special teams in that game and the Week 18 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

In the 2024 regular season, Johnson totaled the second-most defensive snaps among the Chiefs’ cornerbacks and manned the starting spot opposite cornerback Trent McDuffie for the majority of the campaign. He was nearly exclusively an outside cornerback that season despite having positional flexibility in his profile as a seventh-round pick out of Marshall in 2022.

His versatility — virtually untapped in his NFL career — is something he made note of in his interview with Niedzwiecki.

“Now it’s just seeing how other teams value me. Do other teams see me as a safety, do they see me as a corner, a nickel[back]. But the thing I can rest my hat on is that I’m a special teams person. I can make plays on special teams, and I’m also someone that can play defensive snaps.”

It has been hard to deny the positive impact Johnson has made on the Chiefs’ special teams unit when available. He was a standout in the third phase of the game as a rookie and still takes that role seriously.

“I’m a good asset to any program,” Johnson said. “Especially to the Chiefs. I just went out there and proved it [when I returned].

“With the new kickoff rule, you can make a good living being a special teams player. It’s like another form of defense or another offensive player. It gives people that are on the bubble or may not be a starter in the coaches’ eyes a chance to get that NFL paycheck.”

With plenty of decisions for general manager Brett Veach to make over the next few months, Johnson has a good feeling his four seasons in Kansas City will be valuable to the front office as it sorts through the open market.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...817/nazeeh-johnson-chiefs-re-sign-free-agency

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Name the Chiefs draft pick you wish had turned out better

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs Vince Lombardi Trophy on display after the Chiefs thirty first overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In 11 weeks, 257 players will hear their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

When team officials discuss their selections, observers will notice repetitive cliches. To start with, teams will stress that they drafted football players. This is important to know because the average insurance underwriter or cybersecurity analyst would likely lack proficiency in pass protection or tackling skills.

Every NFL general manager will also be shocked that a given talent was still available at his eventual draft position. By sticking to the board, every team will end up with the player its staff wanted all along.

Most fans know that the draft is unpredictable and that multiple seasons of NFL action are needed to assess any selection. Every hardcore draft nerd will also have a player they were dead wrong about in their projection of his NFL career.

So, let’s take a moment to vent about (or lament) which Kansas City Chiefs selection didn’t meet expectations for whatever reason.

Edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah — Kansas City’s first-round selection from 2023 — will likely be a popular choice. The product of Lee’s Summit and Kansas State was actually in the crowd as Kansas City hosted the draft that year. Besides the great story of a local product, his skillset appeared to be what the Chiefs’ pass rush desperately needed. Three years later, he has made minimal impact, and those skills are still absent from the room.

After missing his entire third season with a hamstring injury, the Chiefs will assuredly decline Anudike-Uzomah’s third-year option. He likely will be playing for his NFL future when he steps back on the field for the offseason program.

Another option might be wideout Skyy Moore, whom a certain Arrowhead Pride writer who shall not be named was high on entering the 2022 draft.

My pick is going to go back a bit further — though not as far as quarterback Todd Blackledge, whom I know my father would have chosen.

WR Sylvester Morris – Round 1 (21) 2000​

The 1999 NFL season was a frustrating time to be a Chiefs fan. Head coach Gunther Cunningham took over for Marty Schottenheimer and led the team to a very mediocre 9-7 season. Across the state, however, the high-flying St. Louis Rams took a passing game even contemporary video games couldn’t dream of to a Super Bowl victory.

In the first round of the following draft, the Chiefs took Morris, a wide receiver from Jackson State. As a rookie — on a team that featured two 1000-yard receivers in tight end Tony Gonzalez and wide receiver Derrick Alexander — Morris caught 48 passes for 678 yards and three touchdowns.

When Cunningham was replaced by Dick Vermeil — the head coach of the Rams’ championship squad — expectations were high for Morris’ second season. Unfortunately, he suffered a major knee injury in offseason workouts. After multiple setbacks in his recovery, Morris never played another NFL snap.

Morris frequently makes lists of the Chiefs’ biggest draft busts, though I always think he is more an illustration of the role simple luck plays in who does and doesn’t make it in the NFL.

---

What do you think?

Who is the Chiefs’ draft pick you most wish had a better career?

Let us know in the comments.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...name-chiefs-draft-pick-wish-turned-out-better

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

A clear path to Chiefs’ offseason success includes Trent McDuffie trade

An offseason is like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Nobody knows where it will ultimately end up, but each decision has an impact on the next. The first critical decision of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason is to determine the future of cornerback Trent McDuffie.

The choice must be made early and with conviction.

Objectively, McDuffie is a good football player. He has become everything the Chiefs hoped he would be when the front office traded up to select him with the 21st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He can play inside or out, he holds up well against the run and he is, by all accounts, a consummate professional in all aspects.

This is not the kind of player teams look to rid themselves of — but this is not a typical offseason in Kansas City.

It figures to be an offseason full of difficult decisions for Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. The cap situation is less than ideal. There are countless positions of need. Kansas City’s draft picks will be higher than in recent seasons, but there are still just six selections in total.

McDuffie has served as “Mr. Fix-It” in Kansas City — and he could fill a similar role for the Chiefs’ offseason if traded.​

McDuffie is slated to earn $13.6 million in guaranteed salary this upcoming season. That’s a completely reasonable salary for a cornerback of his caliber, but it’s a significant cap hit for a team that could use every ounce of relief.

The Chiefs enter the offseason more than $54 million over the cap, according to OverTheCap’s calculations. Cutting Jawaan Taylor, Mike Danna, Drue Tranquill and Noah Gray would save nearly $40 million against the cap. Restructuring Patrick Mahomes’ deal could save up to an additional $44 million. Starting with those five moves would bring the Chiefs’ available cap space to approximately $28 million. That sounds like a big number until you start adding players to the roster.

Taking into account the Chiefs’ projected draft pool ($12.7 million) and a free agent running back (approximately $5-10 million), suddenly, there’s only $5-10 million left to spend on free agency. It gets tight, quick.

Unless…​

Kansas City adds roughly $13 million by trading McDuffie. From a cap perspective, it’s a simple move. His fully guaranteed salary would not result in any dead money on the books.

That money could instead be used to add a new pass rusher like Boye Mafe or Dre’Mont Jones. Both should be in that $10-$15 million average annual value range, and could fill into a similar spot on the Chiefs’ cap sheet. The two players are not the same caliber of player as McDuffie, but either would bring a skillset the Chiefs are lacking along the defensive line.

A McDuffie trade is about more than just money, though. It’s also about the assets the Chiefs would get in return. Remember how vital that 2022 draft class was for the Chiefs — the one which, not coincidentally, included McDuffie? The reason that class was possible was because of a highly unpopular trade that sent Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for five draft picks. Those picks included a first-round pick (no. 29), a second-round pick (no. 50) and a fourth-round pick in 2022.

The added draft capital provided Veach the flexibility to move up and down the board as necessary. The result was adding McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, Jaylen Watson and Isiah Pacheco as core members of the Chiefs dynasty.

Most of those players are now aging out or pricing themselves out of the Chiefs’ plans, so it’s time for another infusion of youth into the Chiefs’ core.

It’s hard to say exactly how other teams would value a player with McDuffie’s resume. He is at his best as a slot defender, but he has spent most of his time lined up outside over the past couple of seasons. His size (5 feet 11 inches tall and 195 pounds) is the biggest reason he was available as late as he was in the draft, and it could prove to be a hindrance in trade talks, as well. Regardless, McDuffie is a heck of a football player, and he should demand at least the equivalent of an early second-round pick.

The bottom line​

Trading McDuffie is the clearest path for the Chiefs to improve their cap and draft pick situation. It’s the kind of move that could set them up not just for a run in 2026, but beyond. The alternative to such a move would be either playing out the contract for 2026 on McDuffie’s fifth-year option or rewarding him with a long-term extension, likely in the neighborhood of DaRon Bland’s 4-year, $90 million deal.

Could the Chiefs make it work? Sure, they could. It would likely require restructuring Chris Jones’ contract, ballooning his 2027 and 2028 cap hits when he’s 33 and 34 years old, but it’s doable. It would also limit the team’s ability to improve at other positions in free agency. Again, workable, but not ideal.

The Chiefs are finally feeling the cost of pushing for a three-peat. Their usual model would have involved letting Jones walk in free agency and opening up flexibility in future years to re-sign young players like McDuffie. It was the right call at the time, but the bill is coming due. It’s going to require some concessions.

I don’t take any joy in saying the smart choice for the Chiefs this offseason is to trade McDuffie, who is one of my favorite cornerbacks in the NFL to watch at his best. But the Chiefs haven’t deployed him to feature his prime abilities in either of the past two seasons, they are desperate for cap relief and he is their best chance to add some much-needed draft capital.

The Chiefs’ offseason plans will be dictated by their decision on McDuffie. Moving on from an All-Pro caliber talent wouldn’t be an easy choice, but I do believe it’s the right one.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...chiefs-offseason-success-trent-mcduffie-trade

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Madden Simulation Super Bowl LX: New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks

On Sunday, the (14-3) New England Patriots are on the road at Levi Stadium, taking on the (14-3) Seattle Seahawks, for Super Bowl LX. Let’s see how the game plays out in Madden NFL 26.

STOP!​

If you want to watch the simulation without spoilers, start this video — or if you can’t see it, click here.

---

First quarter​

The Seattle Seahawks opened the game with the ball, starting with a quick three-yard completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. New England’s defense answered immediately, as K’Lavon Chaisson broke through to drop Sam Darnold for a 13-yard sack.

Facing third-and-20, Darnold took a shot downfield, lofting a pass 41 yards to AJ Barner. Despite being double-covered, Barner went up and came down with the football, turning a busted drive into a massive gain.

The drive was capped off when Kenneth Walker III took a screen pass and waltzed into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.

End of first quarter: Seahawks 7, Patriots 0

---

Second quarter​

TreVeyon Henderson put on a show on the drive, piling up 32 yards on the ground and nine more through the air while picking up four key first downs. With how meaningful every inch was in this game, Drake Maye kept the chains moving on a third-and-inches quarterback sneak for another Patriots first down.

The drive ended with Maye firing a one-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper on a perfectly placed out route in the corner of the end zone, tying the game.

The Seahawks managed just one first down on the ensuing possession before being forced to punt.

Back with the ball, Maye used play action and found DeMario Douglas on a checkdown. Douglas turned upfield and racked up 18 yards, pushing the Patriots near midfield. Henderson followed with a 15-yard carry, bringing his rushing total to 51 yards on the day.

After the two-minute warning, pass rusher Leonard Williams broke through for a sack on Maye. A deep shot downfield sailed long, forcing New England to settle for an Andy Borregales field goal, giving the Patriots their first lead of the game.

Sam Darnold answered quickly, hitting Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a comeback route. JSN turned upfield for a 43-yard gain, moving the Seahawks to the Patriots’ 26-yard line with under a minute to play in the half. On third-and-five, Darnold stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike to Cooper Kupp at the five-yard line, who held on despite taking a big hit.

With eight seconds remaining and no timeout taken, Darnold rushed the offense to the line, took the snap himself, and dove headfirst into the end zone for the touchdown, giving Seattle the lead heading into halftime.

End of second quarter: Seahawks 14, Patriots 10

---

Third quarter​

The Patriots came out firing to start the half, as Drake Maye connected with Stefon Diggs for his first catch of the game on a post route that went for 31 yards. On the very next play, Henderson burst through the line for a 19-yard gain, setting New England up at the Seahawks’ 11-yard line. The drive was capped off by a seven-yard touchdown reception in the end zone by Hunter Henry.

The Seahawks responded by picking up two crucial first downs. On third-and-12, Sam Darnold found Rashid Shaheed on a deep crossing route to move the chains. Later, facing third-and-five, Walker III took a handoff and ripped off a 32-yard run for another first down, putting Seattle at the Patriots’ 17-yard line.

After another first down, the Seahawks were facing first-and-goal when K’Lavon Chaisson brought down Darnold for his second sack of the game. But two plays later, needing a score, Darnold went right back to Shaheed, hitting him on a deep in-route for the touchdown, giving Seattle the lead once again.

End of third quarter: Seahawks 21, Patriots 17

---

Fourth quarter​

The Patriots marched down the field with tight end Hunter Henry serving as the focal point of the offense, hauling in three receptions for 54 yards. The drive was capped off by Henry’s go-ahead touchdown, giving New England the lead with just over five minutes remaining.

Seattle answered immediately. Kupp made a clutch catch on third-and-seven at midfield, moving the Seahawks to the Patriots’ 23-yard line. A short pass to Walker III picked up another first down at the 12-yard line. Facing third-and-six from the eight, Sam Darnold dropped back and rifled a pass into the end zone, where Kupp laid out with a Superman-style dive to secure the touchdown. With 56 seconds remaining, the Seahawks were back on top.

The Patriots pushed the ball to the Seahawks’ 48-yard line in the final seconds and took a shot on fourth down, but the Hail Mary attempt was batted away, sealing the win for the Seahawks.

Final score: Seahawks 28, Patriots 24

---

Notable stats​

• Sam Darnold: 21 for 25 passing, 245 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 carries, 5 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
• Drake Maye: 23 for 28 passing, 226 yards, 3 touchdowns
• TreVeyon Henderson: 13 carries, 75 yards, 4 receptions, 38 yards
• Kenneth Walker III: 11 carries, 71 yards, 4 receptions, 26 yards, 1 touchdown
• Cooper Kupp: 6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 touchdown
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 4 receptions, 65 yards
• Rashid Shaheed: 2 receptions, 23 yards, 1 touchdown
• A.J. Barner: 2 receptions, 44 yards
• Hunter Henry: 9 receptions, 85 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Stefon Diggs: 3 receptions, 57 yards
• Damario Douglas: 3 receptions, 38 yards
• Austin Hooper: 2 receptions, 4 yards, 1 touchdown

---

This will conclude the Madden Simulation season inside the EA Universe!

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/madd...l-lx-new-england-patriots-vs-seattle-seahawks