The Kansas City Chiefs have many highly paid stars on their roster. Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Chris Jones are just a few names earning salaries near the top of the market at their respective positions. Patrick Mahomes was just rewarded with another contract extension recently as well.
When it comes to filling out the roster for the future, one has to wonder who may be next in line for a contract extension. For various reasons, it was more challenging to come up with answers than initially anticipated. Looking at the current roster, Kansas City just added a fair number of young rookies through the draft. At the same time, some older veterans are nearing the end of their time with the Chiefs.
It was an interesting list to compile overall. However, there are four particular names worth monitoring as contract extension candidates on the Chiefs' roster. Let's start with the greatest conundrum of them all.
The unpredictable Rashee Rice case
After Rashee Rice's rookie season, it felt like the Chiefs had found a young playmaker to pair with Mahomes for years to come. Yet off-the-field issues and injuries have forced him to miss games over the last couple of seasons. The latest development was a probation violation. That forced Rice to serve a 30-day jail sentence earlier in the summer than expected. It also came immediately after a cleanup knee surgery.
Those circumstances have created one of the more complicated player situations in recent memory. Rice could have been in line for an extension worth $30 million or more this offseason if he had built on what he accomplished as a rookie over the last two campaigns. Adam Schefter of ESPN noted on The Pat McAfee Show that no deal is coming anytime soon. Despite the exploding wide receiver market, Rice has likely cost himself any chance of cashing in with the Chiefs, at least for now.
Who knows how this upcoming season will play out? Kansas City may take an aggressive approach with Rice's usage. With him entering the final year of his rookie contract and no guarantee of a future deal, the Chiefs may simply give him a massive workload.
Even if he has a strong season and the Chiefs want to bring him back, can you trust him? K.C. could likely get a significant discount on any deal with Rice at this point, if it ever comes to fruition. Even then, the Chiefs may only want to commit for a short period. It is a confounding player-team situation that may ultimately be best served by ending after this season. Ruling him out as a possible extension candidate still seems misguided, however.
Another receiver faces a crucial season
Another candidate for an extension at wide receiver is Xavier Worthy. Last season was jumbled from the start for the Texas product. A collision with Travis Kelce in the first regular-season game left Worthy hampered by a shoulder injury. He returned a little later and played through it. Kansas City also altered his usage and route tree significantly because of the injury, as referenced by Jesse Newell ofThe Athletic.
Worthy was drafted one year after Rice. As a result, he still has two guaranteed years remaining on his rookie contract. If there is any hope of extending him early, getting back to producing at a high level in 2026 is key. Worthy is a dynamic weapon with the type of play style the Chiefs have generally loved to incorporate. Get the ball to him in space and watch those touches turn into explosive gains.
Right now, the Chiefs could probably get a reduced rate on any deal with Worthy. Even if he puts together a strong season this year, Kansas City could still argue that it wants to see him do it again. If the Chiefs wanted to give him early financial security, Worthy remains one of the more fascinating extension candidates to watch.
Will Chiefs completely secure offensive line for 2027?
This next contract extension candidate is facing a tense training camp battle over the next couple of months. Right tackle is a job Jaylon Moore hopes to secure. Esa Pole and Kahlil Benson are looking to challenge him for the spot.
Moore did not stay healthy or build much positive momentum once he reached the field last season. It will be intriguing to see whether he can string together good days during training camp and into the preseason. If not, Kansas City will not have to spend much time considering him as a future extension candidate.
But if he plays well and stays on the field in 2026, the Chiefs could have their entire offensive line figured out for 2027. After years of cycling through plenty of names at offensive tackle, there is a chance Kansas City would not have to worry about adding another new starter for a while. The Chiefs would surely be enticed to reward Moore going into 2027 if he takes the starting right tackle job and runs with it this season.
A rare DB deal for Kansas City?
Kansas City's reluctance to extend defensive backs is well documented. The rare case in which they could make an extension happen in the secondary would also not break the bank. Chris Roland-Wallace, meanwhile, continues to stand out in a defensive backs room filled with questions.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is reportedly high on Roland-Wallace within this defensive structure. Overall, the versatility he offers at cornerback and safety can create unique mix-and-match opportunities for the coaching staff. His production when given chances to attack the football or take it away has been promising. Elsewhere, Roland-Wallace can contribute in other phases of the game through special teams.
As a former undrafted free agent, Roland-Wallace could receive a fair pay raise if Kansas City wanted to keep him around for the next few years after 2026. If the Chiefs ever did extend him, it would be another example of K.C. turning a former UDFA into a valuable depth player.
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