The Kansas City Chiefs have three key starters on defense set to become free agents – linebacker Leo Chenal, cornerback Jaylen Watson, and safety Bryan Cook.
It’s possible that one, or even two, end up returning to the Chiefs. However, it is highly unlikely they will retain all three. Who should be the priority is up for debate, but all three players should secure lucrative contracts this offseason.
Chenal, Watson, and Cook were a part of Kansas City’s incredible 2022 draft class. What’s even more impressive is that they were all drafted in later rounds. If the Chiefs lose more than one of them, they’ll need to draft well once again in order to replace them.
Kansas City Chiefs S Bryan Cook Predicted to ‘Break the Bank’ in Free Agency
Cook has steadily developed into a quality starter of the course of his four-year career. 2025 was his best season to date, recording 85 total tackles and six passes defended. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes Cook is in position to secure a big deal, even if he’s not widely regarded as an elite player.
“You aren’t going to hear Bryan Cook mentioned by many fans outside Kansas City. But after four years, 47 starts and a career-best 85 total tackles in 2025, the 26-year-old could be slated for quite the payday in free agency—a deal worth over $55 million total per Spotrac. However, like so many players on this list Cook’s next contract may have more to do with the talent (or lack thereof) available at safety than Cook himself.
Cook has never had even 90 tackles in a season. His coverage numbers aren’t blowing anyone’s doors off either—his passer rating against of 128.5 in 2025 was actually the second-best of his career. The logic of giving a player with Cook’s resume over $14 million a season and making him a top-10 safety in terms of average annual salary is…questionable. But questionable logic in free agency is as annual as the “legal tampering” period—or the illegal tampering that comes before it.”
Examining the Chiefs’ Safety Corps
It will be a big blow if the Chiefs do lose Cook, because the depth behind him at the safety position leaves a lot to be desired. Jaden Hicks entered the 2025 season with big expectations after a solid rookie year, but couldn’t recapture that success. Chamarri Conner started opposite of Cook last season, and while he is good against the run, he struggles mightily in coverage.
Like Cook, veterans Mike Edwards and Deon Bush are also heading for free agency. Kansas City could bring one of them back for cheap, but neither will move the needle for the position overall. Christian Roland-Wallace has shown some promise as a deep safety, but the Chiefs may want him to play some nickel back.
The crop of free agent safeties isn’t great either. The Chiefs could draft Cook’s replacement, but with many other needs throughout their roster, it’s tough to know if they’ll be able to get someone who can make an immediate impact. There’s a small possibility of top safety prospect Caleb Downs being available when Kansas City picks at No. 9 overall, but that certainly can’t be counted on.
