This offseason will be one of the most important for the Kansas City Chiefs since the 2022 offseason.
Why the 2022 offseason? That was the offseason that the Chiefs traded star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins for an abundance of draft picks, including a first-rounder. Kansas City had salary cap issues that they had to navigate, and they did so by making this trade as well as restructuring contracts like guard Joe Thuney’s.
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The team saved nearly $10 million when they restructured Thuney’s deal, and while the Chiefs weren’t over $50 million over the salary cap like they are currently, the organization had very little money to spend on free agents.
Kansas City was able to draft well with the picks they received from Miami and in general, turning those picks into multiple key players like star cornerback Trent McDuffie, defensive end George Karlaftis, safety Bryan Cook, linebacker Leo Chenal, running back Isiah Pacheco and wide receiver Rashee Rice.
The way the Chiefs drafted in 2022 and 2023, paired with restructuring contracts and cutting players, completely revitalized the roster and immediately resulted in two consecutive Super Bowl wins and a third appearance in 2024. ESPN’s Nate Taylor believes Kansas City has to “restart the reload” by channeling that offseason to get back to their dominant ways.
“While quarterback Patrick Mahomes rehabs his left knee, coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach have to improve the roster to better support their quarterback,” Taylor wrote Sunday. “The Chiefs need to have an offseason similar to 2022, which continued the franchise’s dynastic run. With a rare top 10 draft pick, they have the opportunity to acquire a difference-maker. With proper youth and the right veterans acquired, the Chiefs can restart their quest for another Super Bowl.”
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What should the Chiefs do with that pick? The team has clear needs at offensive tackle, running back and defensive end. Kansas City has been linked to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Miami DE Rueben Bain Jr., Texas Tech DE David Bailey and Miami OT Francis Mauigoa.
Considering that right tackle Jawaan Taylor is most likely going to be cut to save tons of money and some of the main reasons the offense wasn’t great was because of poor protection and penalties, my guess is that the Chiefs will target Mauigoa or the best available offensive tackle.
Mahomes was running for his life in 2025 and that definitely played a role in his eventual season-ending knee injury, so beefing up the offensive line that already has a quality young left tackle in Josh Simmons and the best center in the National Football League in Creed Humphrey seems like the best plan for Kansas City.