The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the offseason after their worst campaign in 14 years, and the team is facing a series of unprecedented challenges that threaten to upend the stability built during Patrick Mahomes’ tenure as quarterback.
At the center of their concerns, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is recovering from ACL and LCL tears, injuries that have cast doubt over whether he will be ready at the start of the 2026 season, leaving Chiefs fans anxiously watching every rehabilitation update.
Adding to the uncertainty, tight end Travis Kelce is weighing retirement, a scenario that would rob Mahomes of the most consistent and reliable target of his career, further complicating offensive planning for a team already grappling with a difficult rebuilding process.
The Chiefs also face multiple positional needs this offseason, spanning running back, defensive line, secondary, and potentially other areas, which highlights the urgency of their roster construction and the difficult choices ahead in free agency and the NFL Draft.
Financial pressures make those decisions even more complicated, as Kansas City currently faces a staggering $58.3 million salary cap deficit, which will necessitate either deep personnel cuts or widespread contract restructures, potentially forcing beloved players out the door before the team can bring in new talent.
One of the most obvious candidates for release is offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, who will count over $27 million against the salary cap in the final year of his $80 million contract, making him a likely casualty in the Chiefs’ effort to balance the books.
“The Chiefs will cut Taylor, which would save them $20 million on the cap even if the release occurs before June 1,” ESPN analyst Brian Schatz predicted on January 7. He added that while Taylor ranked in the top 10 in pass-block win rate through Week 17, his costly contract and propensity for penalties make him expendable.
From a strategic perspective, moving on from Taylor could allow the Chiefs to rebuild around Patrick Mahomes, particularly if Travis Kelce retires, giving Kansas City a chance to reassess offensive priorities, protect their superstar, and add more versatile weapons to their attack.
Brook Pryor of ESPN echoed this sentiment in late December, suggesting that letting Taylor go would give the Chiefs an opportunity to “start fresh” and better support Mahomes, rather than relying on a single future Hall of Fame tight end for offensive production.
Part of this broader strategy involves maximizing the team’s three high-value draft picks in the top 75 selections this April, a rare occurrence for the Chiefs since Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018, presenting a unique chance to restock the roster with elite young talent.
Kansas City holds picks No. 9, 40, and 74 in the upcoming draft, which the organization can leverage to address critical needs while building depth across multiple positions, potentially reshaping the team’s identity for the next phase of Mahomes’ career.
The Chiefs are expected to prioritize either the running back position or the interior defensive line with their top-10 pick, aiming to solve glaring roster deficiencies that were exposed during a challenging 2025 season, while also managing salary cap limitations and long-term roster sustainability.
One intriguing prospect is dual-threat running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, a Heisman finalist this season who has declared for the NFL Draft, offering the Chiefs a potential game-changing option in the backfield if he falls to No. 9 overall.
While running backs are generally devalued in early draft selections, there are usually one or two exceptions each year, and Love could be that anomaly in 2026, providing Kansas City with a rare opportunity to add a top-tier offensive weapon capable of stretching defenses both in the passing and rushing game.
If Love is unavailable at No. 9, the Chiefs will likely pivot to a high-end defensive tackle, using later picks to find running back value while addressing critical defensive line weaknesses that contributed to their struggles last season.
The decisions surrounding Taylor, Kelce, Mahomes’ health, and draft strategy underscore a broader offseason philosophy of balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term roster health, as the Chiefs attempt to navigate one of the most challenging post-seasons in recent franchise history.
Salary cap realities will dictate much of this process, as releasing or restructuring contracts for high-priced veterans is unavoidable, even if it means parting ways with players who have been fan favorites or integral contributors in prior seasons.
For Patrick Mahomes, the stakes could not be higher, as the success of his remaining career years will depend on a delicate balance of protection upfront, skilled weapons at key positions, and a roster constructed with both short-term competitiveness and long-term sustainability in mind.
The Chiefs’ front office will also have to strategically evaluate how to spend their top draft selections, balancing the need for immediate contributors with the potential to develop young talent into impact players capable of sustaining Kansas City’s elite status for years to come.
Ultimately, the 2026 offseason may define the trajectory of the Chiefs for the next half-decade, determining whether Mahomes has the support necessary to chase additional Super Bowl appearances and whether the organization can maintain the dynasty-level success it has enjoyed since 2018.
Offensive line, running back, and defensive line moves will all be closely scrutinized, as each decision will have ripple effects on team chemistry, salary flexibility, and the ability to compete at the highest level, emphasizing that this offseason is as pivotal as any in recent memory.
For fans, the combination of Mahomes’ recovery, Kelce’s uncertain future, and Taylor’s potential departure creates both anxiety and anticipation, as the Chiefs navigate the delicate balance between rebuilding and remaining contenders in a highly competitive AFC landscape.
