This offseason is shaping up to be the most important one of Brett Veach's tenure, with a world-class quarterback and a history of championship runs capsized in 2025 by an iceberg comprised of roster issues, coaching concerns, and failed execution.
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a number of potential departures in free agency, and it's a list that includes a future Hall of Famer, plenty of high-impact contributors, and some veteran faces who should have never been brought back in the first place.
Here's a comprehensive look at the looming list of Chiefs free agents and a few thoughts on how the market might treat them.
Chiefs' unrestricted free agents (UFA)
Hollywood Brown, wide receiver
Brown has bet on himself twice in K.C. only to find that the prove-it deal isn't always the best move. His market will be interesting to watch, but it's hard to imagine a third season together.
Shane Buechele, quarterback
The late-year reunion now becomes an interesting free agent question because all things quarterback-related are in the air in K.C. Allow Buechele and Chris Oladokun to battle it out with a new player or two?
Deon Bush, safety
After spending the year on IR, it feels like Deon Bush is set to go from useful fringe roster player to former useful fringe roster player.
Leo Chenal, linebacker
Chiefs Kingdom would love to see Chenal return, but the finances have to make sense. K.C. already has a big ticket item at the position in Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill is due a hefty amount as well.
Jack Cochrane, linebacker
It's easy to picture Cochrane back in K.C. on a veteran minimum deal.
Bryan Cook, safety
The Chiefs already have a major deficit at safety after deciding to go with a youth movement in 2025. If Cook leaves, the position will be set for a major talent infusion. Expect a strong effort to bring him back.
Mike Edwards, safety
The Chiefs like Edwards' experience in the unit, and a 90-man roster return makes sense. But if Edwards is seeing time on the active roster next year, something is wrong.
Kareem Hunt, running back
The short-yardage locomotive should be the only holdover in the backfield along with Brashard Smith.
Nazeeh Johnson, defensive back
Johnson has his detractors, but he was an excellent find as a seventh-round choice in 2022. Just often tasked with too much (e.g. Chamarri Conner). Likely to leave.
Travis Kelce, tight end
The ultimate "will he or won't he?" If Kelce is wanting to run it back (again), the Chiefs would welcome him with open arms.
Gardner Minshew, quarterback
With the news that Minshew's season-ending injury wasn't a long-term concern, he should be a frontrunner to return in the QB2 role to help steady the ship.
Derrick Nnadi, defensive line
The Chiefs just can't quit Nnadi but that's a real problem overall. Steve Spagnuolo loves him, but the front office needs to intervene here and make sure the floor at defensive tackle is raised across the board.
Charles Omenihu, defensive line
So much hype and hope around Omenihu as a potential pass-rush addition, but injuries and a suspension have kept his numbers modest. The lack of impact this season makes it clear that K.C. needs to move on.
Isiah Pacheco, running back
Injury-plagued years and ineffective turns have slowed what could have been an exciting free agent campaign for Pacheco after his first two NFL seasons. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Chiefs bring him back on a one-year deal to compete—much to the chagrin of the some fans.
Mike Pennel, defensive line
Just when you think the veteran run stuffer has run his course in the NFL, Pennel keeps finding a way to come back and bolster the interior. The Chiefs need to upgrade the line, but Pennel is the one experienced voice who might make sense once again.
Dameon Pierce, running back
A late-season audition has turned into an odd game of "sit and watch" for Pierce, who reportedly spurned other offers to sign in K.C. Perhaps that means a '26 roster spot has already been pledged.
Janarius Robinson, defensive end
A forgettable signing in the spring became a forgettable IR stash in the fall. That said, Robinson wasn't released with an injury settlement, so maybe they're holding onto something here that fans just can't know.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, wide receiver
Smith-Schuster is a limited receiver who gets a lot of snaps, but he's earned Andy Reid's trust for good reason. Wouldn't be surprising to see him back on another cheap one-year deal to compete for '26.
Tyquan Thornton, wide receiver
The surprise of the free agent class. Who could have predicted KC would want to figure out a way to keep Thornton as a prized WR target before the '25 season began? Expect a solid one-year deal here.
Jerry Tillery, defensive line
The Chiefs tend to stay loyal to vet minimum linemen, but it's hard to see Tillery back in red and gold in the fall after a forgettable season.
Robert Tonyan, tight end
Bob Tonyan earned rave preseason reviews only to sit and watch the 2025 season play out. With TE uncertainty ahead, Tonyan could sneak back for another season with greater opportunity ahead.
Jaylen Watson, cornerback
One of the offseason's biggest questions will be about whether or not the Chiefs want to let Watson walk or keep him around at a position that is often turned over. For a mercurial position, Watson has been a steady performer outside and there's a good chance the Chiefs pay the price.
Joshua Williams, cornerback
Destined to walk. The Chiefs would have likely let him leave before the season but contractual guarantees meant K.C. was better off to keep him around.
James Winchester, long snapper
If the player and team are interested, there's little reason to think Winchester won't remain a vital special teams component.
Chiefs' restricted free agents (RFA)
Mike Caliendo, offensive line
It's hard to imagine the Chiefs let Caliendo walk, but the RFA tag here could be a bit pricey at over $3.4 million projected, per Over the Cap.
Cole Christiansen, linebacker
Christiansen is a known quantity who the Chiefs seem to like as in-a-pinch special teams help. Perhaps fresh draftees will render him obsolete, but he should be on the 90-man roster at least until the draft.
Keaontay Ingram, running back
Ninety-nine percent of Chiefs Kingdom didn't even know Ingram was still on the practice squad, so it feels silly to think he's back again next year.
Chiefs' exclusive rights free agents (ERFA)
Matt Araiza, punter
Not only is Araiza as cheap as a player can be as an exclusive rights free agent, but he's an underappreciated asset who should only get better with more experience. Definitely back in 2026.
Nikko Remigio, wide receiver
Remigio profiles as an intriguing free agent. Back for sure on the 90-man roster, but there should be a real battle for a role into '26 knowing he offers little on offense.
Eric Scott, cornerback
The Chiefs have held onto Scott for quite some time, but the position's depth has kept him from getting any in-season looks. Seems like a good bet to return as cheap competition to see how things play out.