KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) – While it may be Wild Card weekend for some teams, the Kansas City Chiefs got a head start on their offseason for the first time in a long time.
There’s a multitude of changes expected to take place within the roster, and the coaching staff after missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
Matt Nagy’s departure appears to be imminent, and the Chiefs recently parted ways with receivers coach Connor Embree.
There’s a plethora of improvements that need to be made on the roster in order for the Chiefs to return to form. They’ll have a prime opportunity to get an elite talent with the ninth pick and hopefully some more pieces through free agency.
The Chiefs will also have players leave in free agency. Here is a full list of the Chiefs players a part of the 2026 free agent class:
- TE Travis Kelce
- CB Jaylen Watson
- RB Isiah Pacheco
- WR Hollywood Brown
- DE Charles Omenihu
- RB Kareem Hunt
- LB Leo Chenal
- LB Jack Cochrane
- CB Nazeeh Johnson
- DL Jerry Tillery
- LS James Winchester
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
- S Bryan Cook
- Derrick Nnadi
- S Deon Bush
- TE Robert Tonyan J
- S Mike Edwards
- QB Gardner Minshew
- WR Tyquan Thornton
- LB Cole Christiansen
- DE Janarius Robinson
- CB Joshua Williams
- RB Keontay Ingram (restricted)
- G Mike Caliendo (restricted)
- P Matt Araiza (exclusive rights)
- CB Eric Scott (exclusive rights)
- Nikko Remigio (exclusive rights)
Obviously, the most intriguing name on this list is Travis Kelce, whose NFL future is unclear, but he appears to be leaning on playing another season. It’d be shocking to see him play elsewhere.
But then you have other key starters with a lot of uncertainty regarding their return.
The Chiefs drastically need a boost to their RB room, and Hunt and Pacheco are both set to hit the open market. Brown and Thornton will also hit the open market, leaving questions within the WR room. Thornton was a bright spot for the Chiefs’ offense this season.
Watson has proven to be a solid starting DB and should have a lot of suitors this offseason.
There will be plenty for the Chiefs to evaluate this offseason as the roster could look very different in 2026.
