The Kansas City Chiefs Face a Defining Offseason After a Collapse That Signals the End of an Era

The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2026 offseason standing at one of the most pivotal crossroads in the Patrick Mahomes era, forced to confront a 6–11 season that fell dramatically short of expectations and raised uncomfortable questions about whether their dynasty, which began in 2018, has finally reached its natural conclusion. The team’s disastrous campaign included nine losses by at least one score, a pattern that revealed deep structural issues on both sides of the ball, from inconsistencies in offensive production to lapses in defensive efficiency. For a franchise that has defined excellence for nearly a decade, the 2025 season served as an unmistakable warning sign that meaningful transformation is no longer optional but required.

General manager Brett Veach and longtime head coach Andy Reid now enter a crucial several-month period in which every decision — from contract restructures to draft strategy to internal staffing changes — will shape the trajectory of the franchise. The margin for error is slimmer than ever, and the Chiefs must determine whether they can retool quickly enough to return to contention or whether the NFL landscape will shift beyond their control.

Despite the painful results of the previous season, Kansas City still retains several cornerstone pieces capable of anchoring a rebuild. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains the centerpiece of the entire operation, and his presence alone ensures that Kansas City will never drift entirely out of relevance. Chris Jones continues to dominate as one of the league’s premier interior defensive linemen, while edge rusher George Karlaftis has emerged as a reliable and increasingly disruptive presence on the defensive front. On the offensive line, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith remain essential building blocks, both young enough to contribute for years and skilled enough to anchor a revamped protection scheme as the Chiefs reshape their offense.

Rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons showed flashes of developing into a long-term piece, adding to the core of players Kansas City will continue to build around. But even with these foundational talents, the franchise faces a dramatically shifting roster landscape. Many veterans are nearing the end of their contracts, and several contributors have regressed, leaving the coaching staff with urgent questions about who will remain and who will be replaced. Against that backdrop, three key figures rise above the rest — players Kansas City cannot afford to lose as they attempt to rebuild a competitive roster for 2026 and beyond.

Travis Kelce: The Heart of the Chiefs’ Offense Approaches a Crossroads

The first name on that list is tight end Travis Kelce, a player who has defined Kansas City’s offense nearly as much as Mahomes himself over the last decade. Kelce’s contributions go well beyond his statistical output; he is the emotional engine of the locker room, a leader whose presence sets the tone for the franchise and whose chemistry with Mahomes is unmatched across the league.

At 36 years old, Kelce has openly acknowledged that retirement is a question he continues to weigh, and there were moments during the 2025 season when his physical wear was evident. Yet as the Chiefs evaluate their long-term direction, the organization must recognize the immense value Kelce still brings — not only as a pass-catcher capable of performing at a high level in key moments, but also as a mentor to a young and evolving roster.

Kelce may have revealed more about his intentions than he planned during an episode of his popular “New Heights” podcast, where he spoke enthusiastically about the Chiefs bringing back Eric Bieniemy — the offensive coordinator who helped shape Kelce’s most dominant years from 2018 to 2022. His words were not just praise; they sounded like a spark being relit.

“He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time,” Kelce said. “I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player, as a person, and I just love the guy. It’s gonna be awesome to see him back in the building and back wearing the Chiefs logo, baby.”

Comments like those suggest Kelce may lean toward returning for one more season, giving Kansas City both stability and leadership as they usher in the next generation of offensive talent. Even if his role in 2026 becomes more limited, his presence remains invaluable from a competitive and cultural standpoint.

Kristian Fulton: A Secondary Piece the Chiefs Cannot Afford to Lose Prematurely

Cornerback Kristian Fulton may not be the most talked-about name on the roster, but he is a quietly indispensable part of Kansas City’s defensive future. His 2025 season began unevenly due to inconsistent usage, as he was not placed in his ideal outside-corner role until later in the year. Once he finally settled into the perimeter, however, Fulton delivered the aggressive, confident, and technically sound play that made him an intriguing acquisition.

Fulton’s ability to challenge receivers physically, stay attached in vertical routes, and compete at the catch point turned him into one of Kansas City’s most reliable defenders late in the season. Although releasing him would save the Chiefs roughly $5 million in cap space, such a move would be a shortsighted sacrifice for a roster already facing issues with depth and consistency in the secondary.

As the Chiefs shift defensive responsibilities and attempt to rebuild both the cornerback and safety units, retaining Fulton becomes not just a preference but a strategic necessity. His experience, scheme familiarity, and growing confidence on the outside make him a critical piece for a defense undergoing transformation.

Bryan Cook: A Must-Keep Defender with Rare Range and Versatility

If one player sits at the very top of Kansas City’s priority list this offseason, it is free safety Bryan Cook — a rapidly ascending defender whose development has become integral to the long-term viability of the Chiefs’ defensive system. Cook blossomed in 2025 into one of the team’s most reliable back-end defenders, demonstrating exceptional range, improving instincts, and the ball skills needed to impact plays deep downfield.

Without Cook, the Chiefs’ secondary loses not only a starter but the connective tissue that ties together the top of the coverage shell. His ability to diagnose route combinations, close throwing windows, and contribute in both zone and man-coverage concepts makes him difficult to replace. Cook is expected to draw strong interest from other teams in free agency, but Kansas City must remain determined to keep him under contract for multiple seasons.

Allowing a player with his trajectory to depart would create another hole on a defense already in flux, undermining any progress the team hopes to achieve in the months ahead.

The Path Forward

The Chiefs’ offseason decisions will define how competitive they remain over the next three to five years. Their dynasty may be bending, but it is not broken — as long as they retain the right players, commit to meaningful roster reconstruction, and allow their returning core to stabilize a team in transition. Kelce, Fulton, and Cook represent more than just roster pieces; they form the backbone of what Kansas City hopes will be its next era of contention.