In one week, the NFL’s legal tampering window will open, and the Kansas City Chiefs could be front and center. This week, General Manager Brett Veach will put the finishing touches on creating cap space to make a splash or two during the opening days of the feeding frenzy.
With a vast number of holes at running back, wide receiver, safety, edge rusher, and defensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach faces a daunting task of reshaping his roster.
Head Coach Andy Reid shook up his coaching staff just enough to give hope that the previous staff won’t waste the picks that Veach has added to the roster. Those picks include free agents who will be free to talk to NFL teams one week from today.
The Legal Tampering has already taken place, with GMs, Agents, and Cap Doctors already discussing ‘what-if’ scenarios about potential free-agent movement. The Chiefs have also been active, talking to NFL teams about possible trades. Kansas City did cut ties with Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor earlier Monday, so now the Chiefs have roughly $14.5 Million in cap space without making any other moves ahead of free agency.
Chiefs Blitz has learned that the Chiefs brass met with the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Bucs about potential player and/or draft-positioning talks. Kansas City has the 9th pick in the NFL Draft, but they could be a player to move up or down.
Further, there are intense talks about the Chiefs’ willingness to move Cornerback Trent McDuffie to an NFC team.
Still, Veach will be judged on how much cap space he creates this week and whether he makes a first-day splash in free agency.
So who could he target?
Running Back – The obvious choice is running back, and with Breece Hall likely tagged by the New York Jets, that leaves Kenneth Walker III. In my view, unless they are going to roll the dice on Jeremyah Love, the Super Bowl MVP is the pick.
Defensive End – The Chiefs need pass-rushing help, and one player who traveled some during the 2025 season makes a lot of sense for Kansas City. Jaelan Phillips began the season with the Dolphins but was shipped off to the Eagles at the trade deadline. He wasn’t great last season, but he’s the perfect outside pass rusher the Chiefs covet.
Wide Receiver – Mike Evans is 33 years old, but he’s the exact veteran presence the Chiefs need for Patrick Mahomes. He almost signed with Kansas City three years ago but chose to remain in Tampa. He wants a ring, and the Chiefs are the perfect fit.
Tight End – I know Travis Kelce is leaning toward returning in 2026, but Isaiah Likely would be the best free-agent splash Kansas City could make this offseason. The Ravens do not intend to re-sign him, and he’d have a high impact on the offense. Plus, the opportunity to learn under Kelce for one season could prove invaluable for the Chiefs’ offense today and in the future.
Safety – With Bryan Cook headed to free agency, Kansas City could land a much more physical and talented safety. Super Bowl hero Coby Bryant came alive during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run, and he’s perfect for the back end of the Chiefs’ defense.
Now, the amount of noise the Chiefs can make during free agency will determine how aggressive they can be in the upcoming draft. The goal is to find key pieces in free agency and come out of the box swinging when the draft begins in April.
If Kansas City wants to return to form, it’ll need to be wary of each of its division rivals’ impressive cap space and do a better job of selling its franchise to key free agents, who might need to be convinced the Chiefs can make another Super Bowl run.
