Chiefs offseason: 4 scary outcomes for free agency and draft

The arrival of the offseason, which feels like it unofficially starts the week of the NFL Scouting Combine, is an exciting time. I’ve always had an interest in what teams do in free agency and the draft. The NFL changes so much year-to-year, and it’s a joy to track the chaotic player movement each spring.

Most of the time, the anticipation of what moves the Kansas City Chiefs will make comes with a positive mindset. However, there are always some potential outcomes that feel scary.

As I was thinking about moves or scenarios that would scare me this offseason, I had five that came to mind. Here are four things the Chiefs could do that would concern me:

1. Chiefs don’t address running back before the draft

If you’ve been reading mock drafts since the season ended, then you will have likely noticed a constant link of the Chiefs to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The fit makes a ton of sense, considering Kansas City needs a back that can generate explosive runs. Love, with his combination of speed and vision, has that track record while also being a reliable receiver and elite in pass protection. Love is also elite in pass protection and can catch. He is a worthwhile top-10 pick; the Chiefs would be drafting a great player.

What concerns me is Kansas City not addressing running back before the draft, which could pigeonhole the team into drafting Love. Ideally, you want to avoid entering the draft only targeting a specific player or position.

There’s also the possibility that Love is picked before the Chiefs can select him. The front office could invest in the position on Day 2 or later, but that’s not an ideal solution to me. Personally, this has the look of a weak running back class without many clear starters.

By signing a back in free agency, Kansas City secures insurance and flexibility. Even if the Chiefs want Love, having depth in the running back room is still a positive and allows Love to grow at his own pace, so look for a free agent to be signed when the time comes.

2. Chiefs target another smaller receiver

The Chiefs need more to add to their receiving room, but it’s important that they target the right players. Andy Reid has preferred to add small receivers, but that doesn’t fit what the team needs.

The player who embodies this issue is Hollywood Brown. It was a struggle to play Brown, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy at the same time last year. All three players work best from the slot, but you can’t play three slot receivers. So, at least one of those players would be wasted every snap, which made it easier to defend the Chiefs.

If Rice and Worthy are going to be major parts of the offense, then Kansas City has to get an outside receiver who can stretch the field vertically and beat man coverage. That’s the skillset they have lacked ever since Sammy Watkins left. Tyquan Thornton had nice moments, but his route tree is too limited to have him be a starting receiver.

The Chiefs need this style of player to tie the room together and get everyone into the right roles. The front office can’t add another small player to the room.

3. Chiefs re-sign the free agent defensive linemen

Kansas City’s pass rush was poor last season, and the team enters the offseason with little depth. Charles Omenihu, Jerry Tillery, Derrick Nnadi, and Mike Pennel are all free agents. Mike Danna is likely a cut candidate since the Chiefs would save nearly $9 million in cap space by releasing him. So, not only was the defensive line not good enough in 2025, but most of that unit is not under contract.

Kansas City has the option to bring back some of the pending free agents, but I think that would be a mistake. All of the defensive linemen mentioned struggled in 2025 and are deep into their careers. The Chiefs should look to add more youth and athleticism to fill out their defensive line.

The Chiefs have valued continuity in the defensive line over the past few years, but that group is running out of gas.

4. Chiefs don’t decide on long-term solution with Trent McDuffie

The first decision the Chiefs should make this offseason is what to do with cornerback Trent McDuffie. He can be extended, which would reduce his 2026 cap hit of $13.6 million. The team could also look to trade him and acquire draft capital. The front office also has the option to do nothing and wait for the franchise tag in 2027 — but that feels like a mistake.

The Chiefs’ roster has too many needs to be sitting on its hands with McDuffie. Either create extra cap space by extending him or get picks back to help the future of the team.

You could make the argument that the Chiefs could tag McDuffie and trade him in 2027, but it would be way easier to trade McDuffie at this cap hit than a franchise tag cap hit. If you’re not going to extend him, then try to maximize his trade value to help with the reset in 2026.

Extending McDuffie is also a fine choice, but if Kansas City is going to do it, do it early. The Chiefs could use all the cap space possible, and McDuffie’s extension is a way to create a decent amount of space.

Regardless of what the team decides to do, the resolution needs to be decided on soon.