The start of a new league year in the NFL resets the financial picture for every team. Under a given salary cap, which this year equates to $301.2 million, teams must reconstruct their rosters once again in the hopes of reaching the same heights enjoyed by the Kansas City Chiefs for so many seasons in the past decade. (We're just ignoring last year entirely.)
Part of the financial gymnastics required to meet the threshold is to make decisions on pending free agents of all stripes, including restricted ones over which teams could retain control if they so choose. For the Chiefs, they had to consider whether or not they wanted to tender a qualifying offer to a handful of players who aren't yet ready for the open market—that is, unless the Chiefs want to let them leave.
On Wednesday, the Chiefs decided against extending an offer to three players in particular, while tendering two exclusive rights players. For those without an offer, it doesn't mean the players are gone from Kansas City for certain in 2026. Rather, it does set them free for the time being, where the market will decide their price point instead of forcing the Chiefs to pay them a certain pre-set amount.
Mike Caliendo, OL
We've covered this one elsewhere, when it was announced earlier in the offseason that the Chiefs were going to let Mike Caliendo hit the market. While the offensive lineman is a great story as a former rookie free agent who rose to an impactful role as a super sub along the interior o-line, the Chiefs would be on the hook for a $3.5M total to bring him back for another year. That's disproportional to what he provides, especially with untested linemen behind him like Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson still around. Caliendo is a solid bet to return if the market isn't enamored with him.
Matt Araiza, P
The Chiefs tendered an offer to their punter from a year ago, Matt Araiza, but that doesn't necessarily mean he has the job. He'll receive a one-year deal worth just over $1M that's not guaranteed, which could signal that the Chiefs are looking for some specialist competition in camp this summer.
Nikko Remigio, WR
This is another bit of news already out there. On the eve before free agency began, it was made known that the Chiefs were bringing Remigio back for another offseason. He'll get the same deal as Araiza as an exclusive rights free agent, which means his grip on the return role for '26 is pretty loose. Expect the Chiefs to apply some real pressure on Remigio to make the job his again.
Keaontay Ingram, RB
That the Chiefs let Ingram walk this offseason without an offer is hardly a surprise. Last year, Ingram was around on the practice squad and yet couldn't crack the backfield in a meaningful way despite the need for anyone to step up. A former sixth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, Ingram will likely catch on with another team as camp competition, but this might be the end for him in the NFL by the time the season rolls around.
Eric Scott, CB
Speaking of former sixth-round picks, the Dallas Cowboys chose Scott in that round of the 2023 NFL Draft. When he was waived before active rosters were due the following year, the Chiefs claimed him on waivers, and he's been off and on the practice squad ever since. It's possible the Chiefs bring him back with the lack of bodies in the secondary if the draft isn't kind to them. Until then, however, Scott is now free to sign with some other franchise.