Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs

As the Kansas City Chiefs wrap up a 2025 season that saw them secure the AFC West title and a playoff berth, the team’s front office is already shifting focus to the offseason—a critical period that will shape their ability to compete for another Super Bowl in 2026. For general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid, the offseason strategy will revolve around three core pillars: retaining key free agents, addressing roster gaps through the draft, and managing the salary cap to maintain flexibility. Unlike teams that undergo major overhauls, the Chiefs have built a culture of sustained success by making incremental, targeted moves—prioritizing continuity while upgrading weak spots. With several impact players set to hit free agency and a draft class rich in defensive and offensive line talent, the 2026 offseason will test the Chiefs’ ability to balance short-term wins with long-term stability. Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs thus breaks down the team’s key priorities, potential moves, and how they’ll aim to stay atop the AFC.

A top priority for the Chiefs’ offseason strategy will be retaining core free agents—players whose contributions have been critical to the team’s recent success. The most pressing name on the list is L’Jarius Sneed, the starting cornerback who has emerged as one of the NFL’s best shutdown defenders, recording 4 interceptions and 18 pass breakups in 2025. Sneed is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and the Chiefs will likely offer him a long-term contract to keep him paired with Trent McDuffie in the secondary—a duo that has helped the Chiefs rank 5th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Another key free agent is Joe Thuney, the starting left guard who has been a steady presence on the offensive line, missing just 2 games in three seasons with the Chiefs. While Thuney is 32, his consistency in both run and pass blocking makes him valuable, especially with rookie Wanya Morris still developing. The Chiefs will also need to decide on backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who has provided reliable depth behind Patrick Mahomes but may seek a starting role elsewhere. “Retaining our best players is always our first step,” Veach said in a post-season press conference. “We’ve built this team around continuity, and keeping guys like L’Jarius and Joe will help us stay competitive right away next season.” Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs thus frames free agency retention as the foundation of the Chiefs’ offseason plans.

The NFL Draft will be another cornerstone of the Chiefs’ offseason strategy, with the team likely to focus on filling roster gaps that emerged during the 2025 season. The most obvious need is at defensive tackle, where Chris Jones—while still dominant—will turn 33 in 2026, and backup Derrick Nnadi is set to hit free agency. The Chiefs will target a young, athletic defensive tackle in the early rounds—someone who can rotate with Jones and eventually replace him as the starter. The draft class is deep at the position, with prospects like Alabama’s Jalen Carter Jr. and Michigan’s Mason Graham offering the size and pass-rushing ability to fit Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. Another area of focus will be tight end, where Travis Kelce’s backup, Blake Bell, is a free agent, and the Chiefs lack a young player to develop as Kelce’s eventual successor. A mid-round pick at tight end—someone with receiving skills and blocking ability—would help the Chiefs avoid a drop-off when Kelce retires. The Chiefs may also look to add depth at running back, as Isiah Pacheco’s backup, Jerick McKinnon, is set to become a free agent. “The draft is where we build for the future,” Reid said. “We’ll look for players who fit our system, work hard, and can contribute right away—whether that’s as a starter or a role player.” Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs thus explores how the draft will address the Chiefs’ long-term needs.

Salary cap management will play a critical role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason strategy, as the team looks to retain free agents and make draft picks without sacrificing flexibility. The NFL salary cap is expected to rise to around 240 million dollars in 2026, and the Chiefs currently have approximately 35 million dollars in cap space—enough to sign Sneed and Thuney, but not without making some adjustments. One potential move is restructuring Patrick Mahomes’ contract, which currently has a 45 million dollar cap hit in 2026. By converting part of Mahomes’ salary into a signing bonus, the Chiefs could free up 15–20 million dollars in cap space—money that can be used to sign free agents or extend other players. The Chiefs may also release or restructure contracts for veteran players with high cap hits, such as wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is set to earn 12 million dollars in 2026 but has seen his role diminish with the emergence of younger receivers. “Cap management is about making smart choices,” Veach explained. “We want to keep our best players, but we also need to leave room to add talent and avoid being in a tough spot a year from now.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, balancing cap space with talent retention is key to avoiding the “super team” collapse that has derailed other franchises, ensuring they can compete for championships year after year. Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs thus emphasizes how cap flexibility will enable the Chiefs’ other offseason moves.

Player development will also be a key part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason strategy, building on the success of rookies like Wanya Morris and the accelerated growth of players like George Karlaftis in 2025. The Chiefs have long prided themselves on their ability to turn mid-round draft picks and undrafted free agents into contributors, and the 2026 offseason will be no different. The team will host a rigorous offseason program, focusing on position-specific drills, film study, and strength and conditioning—all designed to help young players like Morris, defensive end Mike Danna, and wide receiver Justyn Ross take the next step. The Chiefs will also bring in veteran mentors to work with rookies, a practice that has paid off in the past (e.g., Chris Jones mentoring young defensive tackles). For example, if the Chiefs draft a tight end in 2026, they’ll pair him with Travis Kelce during offseason workouts to teach him the nuances of Reid’s offense. “Our development program is what sets us apart,” Reid said. “We don’t just draft players—we invest in them, giving them the tools they need to succeed. That’s how we turn rookies into starters and role players into stars.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, player development isn’t just a way to fill roster spots; it’s a way to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, ensuring the team doesn’t rely too heavily on expensive free agents. Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs thus shows how development will complement the Chiefs’ draft and free agency moves.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 offseason strategy will be a test of their ability to maintain success in a league designed for parity. By retaining key free agents, targeting draft picks to fill gaps, managing the salary cap wisely, and investing in player development, the Chiefs aim to avoid the “window closing” that has plagued other recent champions. The team’s leadership—from Veach to Reid to Mahomes—has shown a willingness to adapt, whether that means restructuring contracts, drafting for need over talent, or trusting young players to step up. For Chiefs Kingdom, the offseason will be a time of anticipation, as fans watch to see how the team upgrades for another Super Bowl run. “We’re not here to win one championship,” Mahomes said. “We’re here to build a dynasty, and that means making smart moves every offseason. This team has the culture, the talent, and the leadership to keep winning, and I’m excited to see what we do next.” As the Chiefs enter the 2026 offseason, their strategy will be clear: stay true to the principles that have made them successful, while making the incremental moves needed to stay ahead of the competition. Look Ahead to Offseason Strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs thus concludes by emphasizing that the Chiefs’ offseason plans aren’t just about 2026—they’re about building a legacy that will last for years to come.