KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the Kansas City Chiefs, this offseason demanded a fresh strategy, particularly concerning player acquisitions.
Upon the opening of the negotiation period for unrestricted players last week, the Chiefs, following a disappointing 6-11 season, initiated several actions. They reconfigured quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ deal and traded All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, thereby generating substantial cap flexibility to enlist new talent. The most significant maneuver involved coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach convincing running back Kenneth Walker III, the current Super Bowl MVP, to become a Chief, securing him with a three-year agreement valued at $43.05 million.
Subsequent to Walker’s signing, the Chiefs brought in three additional seasoned players to strengthen their defensive unit — defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, safety Alohi Gilman, and cornerback Kader Kohou. Rather than pursuing one major acquisition after another, the team opted to bolster its defense through astute, cost-effective additions. The combined salary cap figure for Tonga, Gilman, and Kohou in 2026 will be under $10 million — an amount less than that of McDuffie ($10.8 million), who the Chiefs sent to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a quartet of draft selections.
The Chiefs harbor optimism that this defensive trio can bring adaptability, dependability, and alleviate pressure on other key teammates. Overall, the Chiefs are hopeful their 2026 class of free agents will deliver a greater impact than the previous year’s underwhelming pickups — a roster that included left tackle Jaylon Moore, cornerback Kristian Fulton, running back Elijah Mitchell, defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, and reserve quarterback Gardner Minshew.
“We recognize the necessity of executing an effective free agency strategy,” Veach stated last month at the combine.
This method proved successful in 2023, when Reid and Veach supplied long-serving defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with three valuable defenders — defensive end Charles Omenihu, safety Mike Edwards, and linebacker Drue Tranquill. These three athletes performed commendably, especially during the postseason (Omenihu executed a strip-sack leading to a turnover, Edwards secured an interception, and Tranquill made a touchdown-saving tackle on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson), aiding the Chiefs in clinching their second successive Super Bowl title.
Last week, Gilman disclosed that Tranquill, his former colleague at Notre Dame and with the Los Angeles Chargers, was instrumental in persuading him to reunite in Kansas City.
“I’ve experienced various schemes and observed Coach Spags from a distance,” remarked Gilman, who inked a three-year, $24 million pact. “I’ve been trying to decipher his methods independently for a while, but I feel comfortable playing both [safety] roles. I believe I can perform any task on the field, so I’m enthusiastic to be a part of this and assist the team in winning.”
Throughout his tenure in Kansas City, Spagnuolo has designated the safety with the most experience as one of the pivotal players in his intricate system — a framework renowned for disguised coverages and innovative, unexpected blitzes. Under Spagnuolo’s guidance, the Chiefs have triumphed in the Super Bowl with safeties such as Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Reid, and Bryan Cook, all of whom served as vocal leaders while occupying multiple positions within the secondary. Gilman comprehends that he is the next player destined to undertake such responsibilities.
“I’m eager to learn and improve,” Gilman, 28, asserted. “I’ve developed over the years. It’s truly about the mental aspect of arriving and discovering every possible way to gain increments – inches, feet, yards – in this sport. That’s the essence of being a safety: perceiving the entire field and engaging in that strategic battle against the league’s elite quarterbacks.”
A noticeable deficiency in the unit last season concerned the defensive tackle position. The Chiefs lacked adequate depth alongside All-Pro Chris Jones, prompting them to trade for Derrick Nnadi and re-sign Mike Pennel. Omarr Norman-Lott, their second-round selection from the previous year, suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during October.
After distinguishing himself with the New England Patriots last season, Tonga, 29, is anticipated to provide enhanced power in the interior defensive line next to Jones. Across 14 contests, Tonga achieved a personal best season with the Patriots, accumulating 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, and two pass deflections.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to come in and play beside Chris,” Tonga, who secured a three-year, $21 million contract last week, declared. “I just met him for the first time in the training facility, and he appears quite upset about the previous season. I’m excited and I can’t wait to go out and be able to assist him.”
The Chiefs are hopeful that the addition of Kohou could emerge as one of the league’s most underestimated offseason maneuvers. Kohou, 27, missed the entirety of the last season due to a severe knee injury sustained in December 2024. A three-year professional, Kohou participated in 15 games in 2024, generating two interceptions, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He also logged 453 snaps at the slot cornerback position, making him a potential replacement in that role following the McDuffie trade.
Looking ahead in the free agency period, the Chiefs represent a potential destination for pass rusher Cameron Jordan, according to an insider source. The 15-year veteran spent the previous season with the New Orleans Saints, recording 10.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Jones indicated his advocacy for Jordan, currently an unrestricted player, joining the Chiefs by posting his name on his X account last week. Should Jordan indeed join the Chiefs, he would offer a clear enhancement on the edge, playing opposite defensive end George Karlaftis.
The Chiefs commenced Thursday with approximately $10 million in available cap room. To sign Jordan, the Chiefs could generate further cap space by restructuring the agreements of Jones and center Creed Humphrey.
Beyond the free agency window, the Chiefs possess 10 selections in the upcoming month’s draft. Two positions the Chiefs are expected to prioritize are defensive end and cornerback. Holding the ninth overall pick, the Chiefs could reinforce their pass rush and acquire another cornerback at No. 29 — the premier choice they obtained from the Rams.
The Chiefs executed precisely this strategy with Karlaftis and McDuffie in 2022, marking the last occasion in the past 15 years they held two first-round selections.
“We must execute these picks flawlessly,” Veach commented at the combine. “That will be vital for us to sustain this successful streak.”