The confetti has fallen and the 2024 NFL season is in the books. For the first time in three years, the Kansas City Chiefs aren't the defending Super Bowl champions and now they will use the offseason as a way to ensure that they reclaim that title a year from now.
The Chiefs have 20 players set to become unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins next month. Fortunately, the Chiefs are used to being in this spot where they are preparing to lose key contributors so that's nothing new.
That being said, some of the names set to hit the free-agent market are well-known players and big contributors to this team. A few key players who will be free agents next month include Nick Bolton, Hollywood Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Charles Omenihu, Justin Reid, Trey Smith, and Tershawn Wharton.
Not every free agent will be retained but who are the ones that K.C. can least afford to lose?
Charles Omenihu
Fans weren't exactly jumping for joy when the Chiefs signed Charles Omenihu ahead of the 2023 season but he ended up being a massive addition to the pass-rushing department. Omenihu finished the 2023 regular season with 7.0 sacks and had another sack during the playoffs that year.
Unfortunately, an injury cost Omenihu a trip to last year's Super Bowl and he didn't return until midway through this season. When he returned, however, it wasn't hard to notice the improvement from the pass rush. Omenihu might have only collected one sack during his six games in the regular season but adding him back into the fold helped guys like Chris Jones and George Karlaftis flourish more, which was desperately needed.
Spotrac foresees Omenihu landing a massive pay check this offseason, projecting his market value at a four-year deal worth $47.3 million ($11.8 million a year). That might be too rich for Kansas City's blood but he's someone that if Brett Veach can swing a deal and keep him in Chiefs red, it'd be a wise move.
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
The Chiefs needed help at wide receiver and Veach went to work ensuring that the unit would be improved from the one Patrick Mahomes had at his disposal the previous year. Veach signed Hollywood Brown to a one-year deal and it ended up being a great signing.
Yes, Brown missed most of the season with a shoulder injury but he was able to return late in the year and helped make a difference offensively. While Brown wasn't a superstar by any means (he finished the season with nine catches for 91 yards), it was clear as day that his presence helped open things up more for the offense.
Some might look at Brown's numbers and not deem him as someone important to keep around but with Xavier Worthy proving he can be a top-tier target and Rashee Rice slated to return from injury in 2025, the Chiefs will need a talented third option, especially if Rice gets slapped with a suspension.
Brown's market value isn't bad (two years, $15.9 million) so perhaps Veach can work his magic and keep Brown from leaving Kansas City.
Trey Smith
Now we're gravitating toward the "players the Chiefs don't want to lose but probably will" category. While Trey Smith didn't put together a great performance in Super Bowl 59, none of the team did. For the most part during his four-year Chiefs career, Smith was phenomenal and likely played himself out of Kansas City's price range.
Smith instantly won the right guard for the Chiefs despite being a sixth-round pick in 2021 and never relinquished the job. Sure he had some bad games from time to time but more often than not, he was a great addition to this o-line and helped improve the interior.
The good news is that it's "easier" to find a solid right guard in the draft than other positions so while replacing Smith won't be a piece of cake by any means, it's not an impossible task.