The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory this offseason. The team missed the playoffs in 2025 for the first time in a decade and now owns a top-10 pick in the 2026 draft.
The Chiefs also have several key players set to hit free agency. Will the team be able to retain players like Leo Chenal, Jaylen Watson, and Bryan Cook? One insider reveals what he’s hearing as we approach free agency.
NFL Insider Details Chiefs’ Free Agency Plan
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they aren’t in the best cap situation. Over the Cap projects that the team is currently about $13 million over the cap before free agency even gets started.
However, teams frequently get deals done in similar cap situations by cutting and/or restructuring veterans. It’s also possible the Chiefs could get some hometown discounts due to their recent success.
NFL insider Jesse Newell recently revealed what he heard about the Chiefs’ plans for their own free agents at the combine. Regarding Jaylen Watson, Newell is of the opinion that the corner is the “least likely” to return of the team’s major free agents.
“Cornerback Jaylen Watson is likely to command the highest dollar amount and, because of that, seems least likely to return,” Newell explained.
However, Newell explained that players usually give the Chiefs an opportunity to match other offers.
“But one advantage the Chiefs often get with their own players in free agency is the ability to match other teams’ offers – especially if those guys enjoyed their time in K.C. and would prefer a return rather than uprooting themselves and their families,” the insider explained.
While Watson could be out of the team’s range, it’s unclear whether Chenal or Cook will return.
“Safety Bryan Cook is coming off a career year, but there also appears to be quite a bit of safety depth in the draft,” said Newell. “Linebacker Leo Chenal’s value also is a mystery, as some 3-4 defenses might see him capable of a bigger role than he has in K.C.”
Watson led the Chiefs in interceptions in 2025 and earned a solid 80.4 grade from PFSN’s CB Impact metric. Cook finished with the fourth-most tackles on the team, while Chenal had two sacks, one interception, and 58 tackles.
Chiefs Entering Crucial Offseason in 2026
As mentioned above, the Chiefs are coming off their worst season of the Mahomes era. That said, it’s clear the team has plenty of improvements to make this offseason.
It’s still unknown whether star tight end Travis Kelce will return, and even if he does, the team still needs more weapons on offense. On defense, the loss of Cook and/or Watson would further weaken the secondary.
If the Chiefs are able to hit on their top draft pick and retain a few important free agents, they could be right back to contention in 2026. You can never count out Mahomes, either, assuming he’s fully healthy.
