Free agency begins as a frenzy. It soon turns into a whimper.
The whirlwind of free agent activity around the start of a new league year can be overwhelming for those who try to keep up with it all. It's an endless parade of announcements and rumors, of negotiations and visits. After a single day, new market highs are set, and stars have changed teams one after the other.
But that's only applies to the most desirable free agents on the market in a given year. Once the dust settles, the market can turn cold and cruel. Signings are sparse, and patience becomes the name of the game. When the phone doesn't ring, some players have to wonder if they're going to have another year of professional football in front of them.
This year, the Kansas City Chiefs have a few free agents who are still looking for work as the summer doldrums are setting in. It's actually quite surprising that there aren't a few more remaining, but that's good for these familiar faces to find new roles so quickly.
Let's look at the list to see who is likely to find a home (or not).
Carson Wentz, QB
Wentz is still a free agent but he's a great bet to find work in 2025. There's honestly not a good reason why he's not already locked up somewhere for the upcoming season.
Wentz's days as an MVP contender are long gone (and those days were short-lived anyway), but he's a serviceable backup with solid starting experience and a Super Bowl ring along with another appearance in the championship game.
For example, Will Levis seems like he's not going to be around Tennessee for long, but that leaves the shelves pretty barren behind Cam Ward. Wentz could be an ideal tutor, and Mike Borgonzi, the team's new general manager, already bought in on Wentz as the Chiefs assistant GM a year ago.
Chances of finding work in 2025: 100 percent
Jody Fortson, TE
One of the more heartening preseason stories for the Chiefs in the last several years, Jody Fortson's time in the NFL seems likely to have run its course. That's not intended as a slight in any way; rather, it's just an observation of the circumstances around his potential employment in 2025.
The former undrafted free agent caught on with the Chiefs in 2019—yes, it's been that long!—as a converted tight end (from WR) at Valdosta State. Fortson's measurables were impressive and the Chiefs' coaches were able to help him turn the corner as a pro.
Unfortunately, Fortson has been injury prone during his NFL career, which always soiled the production and left fans wondering what might have been. Shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries have all piled up over the years, so despite the Chiefs bringing him back as recently as 2024, it's hard to imagine they'll bite again—or any other team for that matter.
Chances of finding work in 2025: 10 percent
Peyton Hendershot, TE
The Chiefs took a (Hender)shot last preseason in a surprise preseason trade with the Dallas Cowboys to bring in the tight end. However, by late September, he was relegated to the practice squad and could never hold onto a spot on the bottom of the depth chart.
Given that the Chiefs have Baylor Kupp, Anthony Firkser, and Robert Tonyan as veterans to go with Jake Briningstool and Tre Watson as undrafted free agents, there's already plenty of competition in camp for that last TE spot—assuming there's a fourth one. Otherwise, the Chiefs will go with Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley and call it good.
Hendershot was undrafted in the first place back in 2022 but the Cowboys and Chiefs have both already invested energy and resources to bring him in. It's not a given that he's going to be around in 2025 but no one should count him out.