The Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time making moves at the start of NFL free agency, aggressively addressing key areas of their roster after a disappointing 2025 season that ended with the franchise missing the playoffs. Kansas City focused on improving its rushing attack, reinforcing the defensive line, and bringing back a franchise legend to help stabilize the offense. At the same time, several familiar faces departed as the Chiefs continue to reshape the roster around Patrick Mahomes. Here’s a look at Kansas City’s biggest Day 1 moves and how they grade out.
Signing: RB Kenneth Walker III
The Kansas City Chiefs made one of the biggest splashes of Day 1 by signing running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million with $28.7 million guaranteed. Walker arrives in Kansas City fresh off a dominant postseason run with the Seattle Seahawks, where he capped the year by winning Super Bowl LX MVP after rushing for 161 yards in the championship game. His playoff performance included 313 rushing yards and four touchdowns across three games, leading all running backs in postseason production.
Kansas City clearly prioritized improving a rushing attack that struggled throughout the 2025 season. The Chiefs ranked just 25th in rushing yards per game and failed to top 100 rushing yards in their final four contests. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt averaged under 4.0 yards per carry, and the offense lacked the explosive run element that once balanced Patrick Mahomes’ passing attack.
Walker immediately brings that explosiveness. Since entering the league in 2022, he has been one of the NFL’s most dangerous big-play runners, recording 34 runs of 20 or more yards. With Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL and Kansas City potentially leaning more on the ground game early in 2026, Walker should become a centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offensive identity moving forward.
Grade: A- – Brett Veach once again addressed the Chiefs’ biggest roster need heading into the season. Walker also went for fewer years and total dollars than Travis Etienne, despite being two years younger!
Signing: DT Khyiris Tonga
Shortly after landing Walker, Kansas City continued reshaping its roster by signing defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to a three-year, $21 million contract with $14 million guaranteed. Tonga spent the 2025 season with the New England Patriots and served as a reliable interior presence on a defensive line that helped New England reach the Super Bowl.
The 6-foot-2, 335-pound lineman primarily operates as a run-stopper but also provides occasional interior pass rush ability. In 14 regular-season games last year, Tonga recorded 24 tackles, two quarterback hits, and two passes defended while playing roughly one-third of the Patriots’ defensive snaps. His physical presence helps stabilize the middle of the defensive line, an area Kansas City has struggled to consistently reinforce in recent seasons.
Perhaps most importantly, Tonga’s addition should help alleviate pressure on All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones has faced frequent double teams due to a lack of interior support, and Tonga’s presence could allow defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to move Jones around the front more freely. While Tonga may not be a headline addition, he fills an important role in strengthening Kansas City’s defensive front.
Grade: C+ – Tonga is a solid run-stopping defensive tackle that adds some depth on the defensive line, but lacks upside.
Extension: TE Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce will return to Kansas City for a 14th NFL season after agreeing to a one-year deal worth $12 million with a maximum value of $15 million. The move ensures that Patrick Mahomes will continue to have his longtime security blanket despite speculation that Kelce could consider retirement following the Chiefs’ disappointing 2025 campaign.
Even at 36 years old, Kelce remains one of the most productive tight ends in football. He finished the 2025 season with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns while earning his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl selection. While his production has declined slightly from his peak years, he continues to be the focal point of Kansas City’s passing attack.
Kelce’s return also brings stability to an offense undergoing change. With Mahomes recovering from injury and the Chiefs reworking their roster during free agency, keeping a future Hall of Fame leader in the locker room provides both continuity and leadership. His chemistry with Mahomes remains one of the most dangerous connections in the NFL.
Grade: A – In an offseason of change, having Kelce return is a massive bump for the locker room. The tight end market was weak this offseason, and the Chiefs will likely target a tight end Day 3 in the draft.
Departures: CB Jaylen Watson, S Bryan Cook, QB Gardner Minshew, CB Joshua Williams
Kansas City also saw several contributors depart on the opening day of free agency. Cornerback Jaylen Watson agreed to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams after emerging as a full-time starter in 2025. Watson recorded career highs in tackles and pass breakups last season and played over 95 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, making him a notable loss in the secondary.
Safety Bryan Cook also found a new home, signing a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Cook developed into one of the league’s better young safeties last season and graded as one of the top players at the position according to Pro Football Focus. His departure removes an experienced presence from Kansas City’s defensive backfield.
Meanwhile, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Minshew only made one start for Kansas City in 2025 before suffering a knee injury, but his veteran presence provided valuable depth behind Mahomes. With his departure, the Chiefs will likely need to add another backup quarterback before the season begins.
Grade: B – Watson was the only one worth potentially chasing, while the other two were smart choices to let walk
What’s Next?
While the Chiefs were aggressive early in free agency, there is still significant work to be done before the roster is fully reshaped. Kansas City currently does not have a large amount of available cap space, which could limit how aggressive the team can be over the remainder of the offseason.
The secondary now features several young and relatively inexperienced players after the departures of Watson and Cook, making defensive back depth a clear priority. Kansas City could also look to add reinforcements at edge rusher and wide receiver before the NFL Draft as they attempt to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season.
With free agency just beginning, the Chiefs appear committed to retooling the roster around Patrick Mahomes and returning to playoff contention, but their work is far from finished.
