The Kansas City Chiefs used to rule lists that rank the National Football League's youngest talent. Every year, media outlets come forth with a slew of Top 25-and-Under Players meant to highlight the league's ascending stars and they're typically peppered with Chiefs players from both sides of the ball.
Times have changed, however, and the youthful pillars of a dynasty have grown older. These days, the Chiefs' stars skew older as legends put the finishing touches on Hall of Fame careers. Tight end Travis Kelce is a decent bet to call it quits after this season. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is 32. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is at the start of his thirties as well. The Chiefs have other important players, but even those would fail to qualify for such a list.
CBS Sports put out this year's edition of the NFL's best players under 25 years old, and there aren't any Chiefs to be found. In fact, the only mention is in the bio for cornerback Trent McDuffie, whom the Chiefs traded away this offseason in exchange for several draft assets and salary cap savings.
As the Chiefs attempt to turn the corner from a six-win season in 6-11, their first sitting at home during the playoffs in over a decade, they can only hope that their current youth movement ushers in a new list of players who will make next year's list. The Chiefs invested two first-round picks in defensive tackle Peter Woods, only 21, and cornerback Mansoor Delane, who is 22. Both are slated for plenty of playing time, even as rookies.
Left tackle Josh Simmons was the Chiefs' first-round choice a year ago, and after a season limited by both injury and a personal leave of absence, head coach Andy Reid is counting on him to become an cornerstone up front. Given his ceiling, Simmons is a solid bet to land on such lists next year since he's only 23. Other candidates who could also make a leap this season include pass rusher R Mason Thomas, cornerback Nohl Williams, and wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
As for players who might have warranted inclusion in this year's ranking, defensive end George Karlaftis is an obvious choice who just turned 25 and is the Chiefs' best edge rusher. His lucrative extension says everything about how the Chiefs view and value him, but he sits outside looking in, according to CBS. Running back Kenneth Walker III is fresh off of a Super Bowl MVP win, but he's also missing from the list.
The Chiefs aren't lacking for younger players with exciting potential, but they're far from the days where they dominated the league with a battery of pups. They've grown older and wiser, with the championship rings to show for it, but a return to their winning ways will require a new crop of young stars to blossom in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google