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Kansas City Chiefs Begin Offseason Overhaul: Three Free Agents Who Won\u2019t Return in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n With Week 18 in the books<\/strong>, the Kansas City Chiefs can officially shift their focus to the offseason, evaluating needs, roster composition, and potential moves for 2026.<\/p>\n While the additions the team makes are critical, just as important are the pieces the Chiefs decide to part ways with, refusing to settle for underperforming players or past successes.<\/p>\n One of the key issues in the 2025 season was relying too heavily on the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid<\/strong>. Contentment with mediocrity contributed to the team\u2019s disappointing results, highlighting the necessity of roster changes this offseason.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at three free agents who, under no circumstances, should be expected to return to the Kansas City roster in 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 1. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR<\/strong><\/p>\n The veteran receiver posted just 345 receiving yards and a single touchdown<\/strong> in 2025, marking an underwhelming campaign for a once-dominant playmaker.<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t just the stats that rule him out; the eye test exposes the struggles of Kansas City\u2019s receiver depth<\/strong>. Smith-Schuster appeared slow and often unable to separate from defenders, making tackles easy after catches.<\/p>\n While JuJu has been a valued contributor\u2014winning a Super Bowl in 2022<\/strong> and helping the Chiefs to the AFC title last season<\/strong>\u2014his peak years are clearly behind him.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been eight years since his only 1,000-yard season<\/strong>, and he has now failed to surpass 500 yards in three straight campaigns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kansas City needs to turn the page at wide receiver, opening opportunities for younger, faster playmakers<\/strong> who can add explosiveness to the offense. Smith-Schuster\u2019s roster spot is better suited for new talent ready to make an immediate impact.<\/p>\n The Chiefs must address depth and playmaker scarcity<\/strong>, and moving on from JuJu is an essential first step in this process.<\/p>\n 2. Nikko Remigio, WR<\/strong><\/p>\n Before the 2025 season, special teams coordinator Dave Toub publicly advocated<\/strong> for keeping Remigio on the roster. The Chiefs agreed, choosing him over Skyy Moore, who has since flourished with the San Francisco 49ers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, Remigio\u2019s season was underwhelming<\/strong>. He averaged just 25.6 yards per return<\/strong> and was never a true threat in the return game. Plays often involved catching punts or kickoffs that could have safely reached the end zone.<\/p>\n While he possesses reliable hands<\/strong>, his limited upside and lack of awareness on returns hinder his value. As a receiver, Remigio contributed even less, being targeted only once<\/strong> across 31 offensive snaps<\/strong>, despite playing nine more games than he did in 2024.<\/p>\n For the Chiefs, there is no compelling reason to retain a depth player who cannot impact the offense or special teams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remigio\u2019s tenure in Kansas City is over, and it remains to be seen whether another franchise can unlock his potential.<\/p>\n 3. Gardner Minshew, QB<\/strong><\/p>\n Gardner Minshew is set to become a free agent after suffering a knee injury<\/strong> that ended his 2025 season just a week after Mahomes\u2019 absence.<\/p>\n There is no ill will toward Minshew, but the Chiefs have far more attractive options<\/strong> than a quarterback coming off a season-ending injury.<\/p>\n While sitting behind Mahomes can be appealing for quarterbacks aiming to rebuild value or chase a Super Bowl, Kansas City\u2019s focus is on finding a reliable QB2<\/strong>, either a veteran capable of delivering predictable performance or a rookie who can be developed as a long-term option.<\/p>\n Chris Oladokun has shown he is not yet ready<\/strong> to step into the QB2 role, reinforcing the need for a more experienced backup.<\/p>\n Options like an aging veteran such as Joe Flacco<\/strong> or a high-upside rookie are likely to be considered, leaving Minshew out of Kansas City\u2019s future plans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n The Chiefs\u2019 offseason philosophy is clear: no patience for mediocrity, no reliance on past glories<\/strong>.<\/p>\n JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nikko Remigio, and Gardner Minshew each failed to make a meaningful impact in 2025, and all three will be replaced as Kansas City seeks to retool a roster around youth, depth, and versatility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For the Chiefs to rebound in 2026, turning the page on these players is essential<\/strong>, allowing room for new talent to emerge in a roster that cannot rely solely on Mahomes and Reid to carry it forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kansas City Chiefs Begin Offseason Overhaul: Three Free Agents Who Won\u2019t Return in 2026 With Week 18 in the books, the Kansas City Chiefs can officially shift… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":135698,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n
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