After coming up short of making history, the Kansas City Chiefs lost key players to free agency who helped strengthen their offense and defense. For example, the team traded away veteran guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, Tershawn Wharton signed with the Carolina Panthers and Derrick Nnadi went to the New York Jets. However, with the signings made over the offseason so far, the Chiefs can make a run at becoming champions once again.
Extensions
Creed Humphrey
Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (52) comes off the field after a play during NFL football training camp Friday, July 26, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Before the 2024-2025 season, the back-to-back Super Bowl champs extended Creed Humphrey to a four-year contract worth up to $72 million. This deal makes Humphrey the highest-paid center in the NFL, according to Over the Cap. Despite paying a large amount for a center, the deal was worth it, as the former Oklahoma Sooner was given a 92.4 overall grade within the 2024-2025 campaign, per PFF. Additionally, Humphrey ended the year with a 91.5 pass-blocking and a 90.5 run-blocking grade, per PFF.
Nick Bolton
Ever since entering the league, Nick Bolton has become the focal point of the Chiefs’ defense, and the squad retaining him was a must. Right before the start of free agency, the franchise extended the former Missouri Tiger to a three-year $45 million deal. Looking at the 2024-2025 season, the linebacker accumulated 106 total tackles over16 games. Additionally, with 73 takedowns, Bolton ranked in the top 25 for solo tackles, per Fox Sports. To add on, the 25-year-old sacked three quarterbacks, forced one fumble, recovered the ball twice and intercepted the rock once, according to ESPN.
Franchise Tag
Trey Smith
On Feb. 28, the Chiefs franchise tagged Trey Smith worth $23.4 million. Throughout the 2024-2025 campaign, the right guard helped Patrick Mahomes greatly by taking pressure off him. In the regular season, Smith gave up zero sacks and only let five defenders get by him to hit Mahomes. In addition, the former Tennessee Volunteer allowed a total of 26 pressures. The 26-year-old carried his blocking dominance into the playoffs, letting up one hit and quarterback takedown. The big man thrives on blocking for the run game, as he slips into No. 10 with a rating a little under 81, according to PFF. However, Smith struggles more with protecting during passing plays, with a 70.6 grade, per PFF. Overall, the Tennessee native sat at No. 14 amongst 135 guards, per PFF, who gave him a 78.8 grade.
Resigns
Kareem Hunt
Kansas City running back Kareem Hunt (27) scores a touchdown ahead of Los Angeles Rams free safety Lamarcus Joyner (20) as Chiefs offensive guard Cameron Erving (75) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
After Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in week two, per Yahoo Sports, the team went into the past and signed Kareem Hunt. This was not a mistake, as the 29-year-old rushed 728 yards for seven touchdowns within 13 contests. Turning to the offseason, the Chiefs had no depth in the running back room after releasing Clyde Edwards-Helaire in December and Hunt hitting the market. However, on March 17, the Ohio native returned to the team on a one-year $1.5 million contract.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
After suffering a sternoclavicular joint injury in the first preseason game, per Yahoo Sports, Marquise Brown hardly participated in the regular season, returning in week 16. Despite not finding the endzone in five matches, the team brought Brown back on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. However, with negative $9 million in cap space, the Chiefs cannot go on a spending spree, per PFF. In addition, with Rashee Rice potentially getting suspended and DeAndre Hopkins leaving, the only starter left is Xavier Worthy.
Juju Smith-Schuster
The Chiefs traded for Juju Smith-Schuster in late August, after the wide receiver room started thinning out. The 28-year-old is no stranger to offense and the added depth to the squad. Regardless of only racking up 231 yards in 14 games, the veteran scored two touchdowns and moved the chains 11 times. With that being said, the wide receiver returned on a one-year $1.4 million contract.
Free Agent Pick Ups
Jaylon Moore
In the 2024-2025 season, the Chiefs struggled to find an answer at the left tackle position, with Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia switching out each game. However, the team signed Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract in hopes of fixing the problem. Despite sitting behind Trent Williams with the San Francisco 49ers, the 27-year-old performed well when given the opportunity. In this 2024-2025 campaign, Moore played in 271 snaps, allowing one sack, two hits and 10 total pressures. In addition, the former 49er ended with nearly an 80 overall grade, a little more than 73 pass-block grade and a little more than 70 run-block grade, per PFF.
Elijah Mitchell
In addition to resigning Hunt, the Chiefs landed Elijah Mitchell on a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Despite missing the entire 2024-2025 season after suffering a hamstring injury, according to ESPN, Mitchell is a solid back for the team. In the 2023-2024 campaign, the 26-year-old participated in 11 clashes, rushing for 281 yards for two touchdowns. Looking at the Chiefs, Carson Steele tried filling the hole while Pacheco was out but struggled to hold onto the ball with three fumbles. With Mitchell sitting as the third string running back, seeing injury problems should not happen this year.