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3 Chiefs free agents who could be forced into retirement

Who from the Chiefs might hang up the cleats this offseason?

By Leigh Oleszczak

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11)
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to be the first-ever NFL team to three-peat as Super Bowl champions, which means that Brett Veach has his work cut out for him this offseason. There are a few players on the roster who, if they don't get re-signed by Kansas City, could end up deciding to retire.

Let's be clear here: These players might not be ready to call it a career but if teams don't come calling, they might not have a choice in calling it quits. Some also have accomplished enough that retiring isn't the end of the world for them, as they achieved more in their career than even some of the best players could have dreamed of.

Let's take a look at three members of the Chiefs who might have to step away from the NFL this offseason.

Jerick McKinnon

One of the many talking points from the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was when Jerick McKinnon had a chance to score a touchdown and add to the lead but opted to take a knee and keep the clock running instead. There were various social media posts praising McKinnon for this moment because he had the opportunity to live out football players' dreams by scoring a touchdown in the waning minutes of a Super Bowl but he did the right thing by stopping the clock.

McKinnon came back to Kansas City for the 2023 season and finished the regular season with just 60 rushing yards off 21 attempts. A groin injury sidelined McKinnon for nearly the entire postseason but he was activated in time for the Super Bowl where he had two catches for 15 yards.

The injury concern paired with the fact that McKinnon is entering his age-32 season could lead teams to stay away from him in free agency. A 32-year-old running back is nearly uncommon in today's NFL and McKinnon might be headed toward retirement if the Chiefs don't end up bringing him back.