All articles tagged with #chiefs
Kansas City is weighing a bold play in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially trading with Dallas to move up to No. 20 to address pass rush, cornerback, receiver and tackle needs. There’s chatter the Chiefs could pursue Stefon Diggs to bolster a thin WR room, alongside other league notes about Kelce’s brand partnership and various draft-related storylines.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid says Patrick Mahomes’s recovery from a torn ACL means the team has a legitimate backup in Justin Fields who can win games if needed, after trading for him to cover the start of the season. Fields, who struggled with the Jets last year, is supported by Reid’s system and a strong cast around him as he aims to be prepared for 2026.
The Kansas City Star’s 2026 mock draft 2.0 shifts to defense, projecting Rueben Bain Jr. as the No. 9 edge rushER and Tennessee’s Colton Hood as a first-/early second-round cornerback to bolster KC’s depleted secondary after losses of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Bain’s shorter arm length is debated, but proponents point to his burst and versatility, suggesting he could start immediately if drafted.
Kansas City plans to rebuild its secondary with depth and affordable veterans rather than splash signings, relying on Spagnuolo to maximize what they add. They may pursue a veteran edge like Cameron Jordan, work around roughly $10 million in cap space, and could trade Trent McDuffie for draft capital to reset the roster—leaning on Day 3 picks and undrafted free agents to fill the back end while aiming to preserve their Super Bowl window.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm envisions Kansas City doubling down on defense in the draft, selecting Mansoor Delane (LSU, CB) at No. 9 and Malachi Lawrence (UCF, Edge) at No. 29 to help replace departed corners and anchor the pass rush; Delane is praised for his press-man ability and run support, while Lawrence presents length and upside as a developmental edge rusher.
Cleveland proposes extending the NFL’s future draft-pick trading window from three to five years, potentially allowing trades into 2031. The piece argues the league is unlikely to approve the change, citing the Browns’ dysfunction and the risk that such leeway could enable desperate teams to make reckless moves, drawing a parallel to the NBA’s Stepien Rule as a cautionary precedent.
Five teams—Dolphins, Jets, Cowboys, Browns and Chiefs—already own two first-round picks for the 2026 NFL draft: Miami (Nos. 11 and 30 via the Waddle trade), the Jets (Nos. 2 and 16 from the Sauce Gardner deal), Dallas (Nos. 12 and 20 from the Micah Parsons trade), Cleveland (Nos. 6 and 24 from the Jaguars swap), and Kansas City (Nos. 9 and 29 from the Trent McDuffie deal). A potential sixth dual-pick deal with the Raiders collapsed, and the Broncos, Falcons, Colts, Packers and Jaguars do not have two first-rounders.
The Browns sat out early QB movement in a lukewarm market while the Chiefs and Jets swapped signal-callers, underscoring how teams value 2027 draft capital. Cleveland could pursue a QB like Tanner McKee, Anthony Richardson, or Davis Mills using its nine 2026 picks and eight in 2027 to bolster the room behind Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly trading for quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets to back up Patrick Mahomes, a move intended to stabilize the team after an uncharacteristic six-win season; the Jets will receive a 2027 sixth-round pick and will cover about $7 million of Fields' 2026 salary, with no official announcement yet.
Chiefs acquire Justin Fields from the Jets for a 2027 sixth-round pick to back up Patrick Mahomes as he heals from injury, while the Jets shed Fields' guaranteed 2026 salary for cap relief and a late draft asset; analysts grade the deal with mixed expectations for each side.
Rotoworld’s 2026 AFC Free Agency Grades rate every AFC team, giving Kansas City and New England top marks for shrewd, value-driven moves (KC adding Kenneth Walker III and keeping key players; NE adding Romeo Doubs and a slate of surrounding upgrades), while other teams—Colts, Jaguars, Dolphins, Jets, Titans and more—receive mixed grades based on fit, risk, and the uncertain returns of big signings (e.g., Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury comeback).
The Los Angeles Chargers signed former Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell to a two-year, $9.25 million deal with $5 million guaranteed, a move aimed at boosting their inconsistent run game behind Justin Herbert. Mitchell's speed and 6.3-yard average on 121 carries suggest a new threat in LA’s backfield, potentially complicating Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City and shifting the balance in the AFC West for the 2026 season.
Chiefs LB Leo Chenal is reported to sign a three-year, $24.75M contract with the Washington Commanders, leaving only George Karlaftis as the remaining 2022 draft pick under KC contract and signaling that eight of ten players from that class have moved to new teams. The broader center market was reset by Tyler Linderbaum’s $81M deal with the Raiders, making Creed Humphrey’s $18M-per-year deal look relatively reasonable. Kansas City reportedly pushed for OT Jermaine Eluemunor but couldn’t lure him away from the Giants. Reports also place Isiah Pacheco headed to Detroit and Kenneth Walker III’s connection to KC, among other NFL moves noted in the roundup (including a canceled Crosby trade and Geno Smith-to-Jets deal). The piece touches on Khyiris Tonga as a potential versatile addition for KC going forward and whether the Chiefs are still on a championship trajectory amid the upheaval.
A roundup of the opening wave of the 2026 NFL free agency period, with analysts grading notable signings and trades, including the Colts re-signing Alec Pierce and the Chiefs landing Kenneth Walker III, along with a slate of other moves across the league.
Kenneth Walker III agreed to join the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year contract worth about $43–$45 million (roughly $28.7 million guaranteed), leaving Seattle after the Seahawks wouldn’t meet his asking price. At 25, Walker sought maximum earnings while in his prime, and KC appears to be retooling its backfield. Seattle had planned Zach Charbonnet as the lead back, but injuries and depth concerns—including Charbonnet’s ACL tear—opened the door for Walker’s departure. This move continues the pattern of Super Bowl MVPs switching teams in free agency.