The Kansas City Chiefs have not made a bunch of splash moves in free agency but instead have tried to spend wisely. The team wisely tagged left guard Trey Smith with the franchise designation, but needs to ink him to an extension at some point this offseason. However, KC lost Joe Thuney.
Thuney was forced into playing left tackle in 2024, and he did a good job. He was out of position a bit, however, so signing a left tackle would have been a wise move. The Chiefs did that, but only slightly. The hope is that former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Jaylon Moore can go from part-time player to full-time starter—at least, that is the hope currently.
Meanwhile, the rest of the AFC West made some solid moves. KC will have to face the following players twice a year. The Chiefs would have been better off had they signed one or more of these new division additions.
These AFC West additions should make Chiefs fans envious
Safety Talanoa Hufanga signing with the Denver Broncos
- Contract details: Three years and a max of $39 million
The Chiefs likely found one long-term answer at safety when they drafted Jaden Hicks in the fourth round last year. After having his snap counts go way up beginning in Week 13, he was very effective, especially in coverage and taking down any ball-carrier that came his way.
Had the Chiefs signed Hufanga and he stayed healthy, Kansas City's safety duo might have developed into one of the best in the NFL. There is no debate regarding Hufanga's ball skills. The only issue is that he gets injured easily. Still, he is only 26 years old, and the 2022 First-Team All-Pro should be due for several years of health and productivity.
Running back Najee Harris signing with the Los Angeles Chargers
- Contract details: One year and $5.25 million
Harris would have been a perfect fit in the Chiefs' system. He can move piles of would-be tacklers, and he is an extremely effective receiver. In his rookie season of 2021, he caught 74 passes. The running back has not missed a game in four years, and he has not had a season with fewer than 1,034 rushing yards.
He also does not have such an ego that he has to be RB1. He was part of a rotation with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he and Isiah Pacheco would have formed a brilliant duo. Harris certainly would have been a better option than Kareem Hunt. Instead, Kansas City's defense will be tasked with trying to stop Harris twice a year.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw signing with the Denver Broncos
- Contract details: Three years with a max of $31.5 million
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Chiefs' best linebacker in 2024 was backup Leo Chenal. He was graded as the sixth-best LB in the league, but the next-best Kansas City linebacker (Drue Tranquill) did not show up until number 37. There should be no question that a healthy Greenlaw would be the Chiefs' best linebacker.
That is because, again, when healthy, Greenlaw is one of the best LBs in the NFL. His issue is that he was injured in the 2023 season Super Bowl, which affected his 2024 season. He was shut down early after his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, began to fall behind in the playoff chase.
There is nothing Greenlaw cannot do well. He is an elite run defender and great in coverage. He can also get from sideline to sideline with ease. He is going to make a good Broncos defense even better, and that is a problem for Kansas City.
Running back Raheem Mostert signing with the Las Vegas Raiders
- Contract details: One year and $1.5 million
It might have been unfair not to include a member of the Raiders on this list. Las Vegas added quarterback Geno Smith, but that came via a trade. Clearly, the Chiefs do not need a quarterback. However, adding the veteran Mostert would have been a sneaky good move. He can fit into any system and would have been a versatile RB2 behind Pacheco.
Mostert would have been especially valuable as a check-down option for Patrick Mahomes as well. In 2022 and 2023 combined with the Miami Dolphins, Mostert had 56 receptions, five of which went for touchdowns. Plus, his contract is exceedingly inexpensive, so he will almost certainly outplay his deal.
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