Chiefs free agency tracker 2026: Signings, departures, cap space analysis, and more

Welcome to the most important offseason of Brett Veach's tenure. The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs has never faced more pressure to reconstruct the roster after the team suffered a nine-game slide from their 15-2 record in 2024.

Veach has already worked his way back from a league-worst salary cap situation with contract restructures and player releases. He's also added a few more draft picks with the blockbuster trade of star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the L.A. Rams. The sum of Veach's pre-offseason moves has given him the financial room and the draft assets to rebuild the roster. Now he has to execute.

With moderate to major needs at almost every single position on the roster, the Chiefs are going to be very busy in free agency. Since we're expecting so much activity for Chiefs Kingdom to keep track of, it only makes sense for us to provide a one-stop shop for all of K.C.'s free agent activity.

Table of Contents

1. Chiefs free agency snapshot
2. Major Chiefs departures
3. Potential departures to watch
4. Best targets remaining
5. Full list of Chiefs free agents
6. More Chiefs free agency coverage

Chiefs free agency snapshot

• Cap space remaining: $24,888,634 (per Over the Cap)
• Biggest signing: n/a
• Biggest departure: Jawaan Taylor
• Most surprising move: n/a
• Biggest remaining needs: RB, WR, EDGE, IDL
• Last updated: 3/5

Major Chiefs departures

Mike Danna, DE - Released

A longtime coaching favorite and underrated player, Mike Danna was, at one point, the first draft pick of general manager Brett Veach to ever receive a second contract with the Chiefs. But after third-round rookie Ashton Gillotte started to claim his playing time opposite George Karlaftis on the edge, it was clear that Danna's days were numbered if his cap remained dispropotional to his impact. For a new team, Danna provides championship experience to go with his reliability and steady presence as a run defender. He's also generated some real pressures when the Chiefs slid him inside on occasion, but at this point in his career, Danna's a floor-setter who could elevate a room and help change a culture for a team in need.

Read the full breakdown here.

Jawaan Taylor, OT - Released

That Jawaan Taylor was released was the least surprising move of the Chiefs' offseason. His $27M cap hit was simply too exaggerated to compensate for his love affair with ill-timed penalties. The Chiefs saved $20M by cutting Taylor, but the truth is that they also created a very real void on the right side of the line in doing so. For all of his foibles, Taylor was an above-average right tackle whose work in pass protection deserves more attention. If a new team can convince him to line up alongside everyone else, a change of scenery could lead to a few more productive years in a league where multiple teams are desperate for dependable outside help.

Read the full breakdown here.

Potential departures to watch

Jaylen Watson, CB

The McDuffie trade makes the possible loss of Jaylen Watson that much tougher to watch. Projection have him around the $17-18M mark annually, so it might be too much to re-sign him. That's tough, considering his importance on the boundary and his growth curve. The Chiefs' insistence on letting corners walk could prove disastrous in retrospect, but K.C. has earned the benefit of the doubt at this position.

Bryan Cook, S

Cook should be the highest-paid safety in this free-agent class, which makes him likely to leave Kansas City. Then again, a deep rookie crop might keep bidders looking toward April's draft instead. That could play in K.C.'s favor after watching Cook make a huge leap forward in a contract year after being tasked with more responsibility in the wake of Justin Reid's departure.

Tyquan Thornton, WR

The Chiefs didn't seem to realize what they had when they employed him, so it would make sense why Thornton might want to try a new team committed to using him. But Thornton was so effective in limited action for the Chiefs that they'd also be foolish to let him out the door. Thornton should have been playing Hollywood Brown's reps, but that's for another time. Suffice it to say, Thornton shed the "bust" label in his lone year in K.C. and should be an attractive upside sell in free agency.

Leo Chenal, LB

Of all of the Chiefs' defenders hitting free agency, Chenal is the best bet to return simply because his price tag shouldn't astronomical and yet his importance is unquestioned. The linebacker is a serious chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo with key blitzing instincts and impressive work against the run. He's improved in coverage and a beast on special teams. The secret is out, however, and the bidding might go higher on Chenal than anyone is projecting.

Best targets remaining

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

The Chiefs are expected to shop for a running back, and the cream of the free-agent crop is Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Walker's burst and vision are elite, and his big-play ability would provide an incredible upgrade for a stagnant backfield and some real insurance with Patrick Mahomes coming back from injury. The expected cost here could creep north of $14M annually, so this would represent a major change of approach for Veach.

Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Let's stay with running backs, because it feels a bit more realistic for Veach to upgrade the position while not resetting the market. If that's the case, Travis Etienne would give the Chiefs a premium back who would likely come in just under Walker's price tag. That's good news for a team making several moves to create cap space. Etienne is a dynamic difference-maker who would thrive playing with Mahomes and company.

Boye Mafe, EDGE, Seattle Seahawks

Given that the Chiefs were reportedly trying to trade for Mafe at the NFL's trade deadline only four months ago, it makes sense that they'd love the chance to add him for the long term without having to give up a draft asset in return. Mafe's pass-rush win rate is better than the average fan might think of his production in Seattle despite lower than expected sack totals. He's be a serious upgrade at edge rusher for K.C.

Jaquan Brisker, S, Chicago Bears

If the Chiefs are unable to convince Bryan Cook to return (or cannot afford it), then Jaquan Brisker would be a nice consolation prize in free agency. Honestly, he'd be a great addition even if Cook stays around. Brisker's versatility and youth make him a desirable target, even as his concussion history will keep the risk higher and price lower for buyers. The Chiefs could use a couple of imports at the position, so Brisker makes sense no matter what else happens with the market.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

The Chiefs cannot afford to be passive at wide receiver this offseason, whether in free agency or the draft. The lack of playmakers or even depth is a scary proposition for Mahomes in 2026, which is why it shouldn't surprise anyone if the Chiefs spend the money to land a prize like Doubs. He's averaged 50 catches for 606 yards and 5 touchdowns over the last four seasons, and he's give the Chiefs a reliable, physical weapon in the passing game.

Tyler Huntley, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Writing about a need at quarteback is an eerie feeling for the Chiefs, but the truth is that until Mahomes is back to 100 percent, there's a greater need than ever for stability on the depth chart behind him. Gardner Minshew is a possible re-signing, but Tyler Huntley (only 27) presents an interesting free-agent signing who brings impressive athleticism to the position. He's also got some real experience with 16 starts over the last five years when Lamar Jackson has been sidelined.

Full list of Chiefs free agents

Here's a full list of Chiefs free agents from every category—including unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights FAs (here are definitions for each). Bold player names link out to more extensive free-agent profiles for those players, while Spotrac MV refers to the market value.

More Chiefs free agency coverage