Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Kansas City Chiefs took care of some business during the first wave of 2025 NFL free agency.
They’ve done a little bit of everything, including adding some outside free agents, re-signing some of their own, and making a trade. The Chiefs currently have 69 total players under contract for the 2025 season, meaning they need to add 21 more before OTAs in May. Let’s take a look at where the roster stands now and in what areas Kansas City could use some upgrades. . .
Quarterbacks: 4
- Patrick Mahomes
- Gardner Minshew
- Bailey Zappe
- Chris Oladokun
Outlook: It looks like the Chiefs are pretty well set at QB heading into offseason activities. Minshew should have a firm grip on the No. 2 job, but it’s not impossible that Zappe leapfrogs him if he shows out and Minshew disappoints.
Oladokun is entering his third year with the team and will need to show big-time improvement to make the roster. K.C. usually carries two QBs on the active 53-man roster and one on the practice squad during the regular season.
Running backs: 5
- Isiah Pacheco
- Kareem Hunt
- Elijah Mitchell
- Keaontay Ingram
- Carson Steele (FB)
Outlook: The Chiefs will definitely continue to add young guys to this group, but I wouldn’t expect another notable veteran. K.C. could take a RB with a relatively high draft pick to groom as only Steele is currently under contract past the 2025 season.
Wide receivers: 9
- Hollywood Brown
- Rashee Rice
- Xavier Worthy
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Nikko Remigio
- Skyy Moore
- Justyn Ross
- Tyquan Thornton
- Jason Brownlee
Outlook: On paper, Brown, Rice, and Worthy should make a nice trio. However, Brown has a lengthy injury history and Rice has a suspension looming. K.C. recently re-signed Smith-Schuster, but he was largely a non-factor last season and has injury issues of his own. The Chiefs may once again need to spend a top-100 pick on a WR.
Tight ends: 6
- Travis Kelce
- Noah Gray
- Jared Wiley
- Baylor Cupp
- Anthony Firkser
- Robert Tonyan
Outlook: This group is also likely set as K.C. carried six TEs on the 90-man offseason roster last year. Hopefully Wiley is making good progress on his recovery from a torn ACL in 2024 and can show some promise as 2025 could be Kelce’s last year.
Offensive line: 12
- Jaylon Moore
- Kingsley Suamataia
- Creed Humphrey
- Trey Smith
- Jawaan Taylor
- Mike Caliendo
- Wanya Morris
- Hunter Nourzad
- Ethan Driskell
- C.J. Hanson
- McKade Mettauer
- Chu Godrick
Outlook: The Chiefs would be wise to add another left tackle who could push Moore for the starting role. They could also bring in some more competition for left guard, as Caliendo was inconsistent last year and Suamataia is basically an unknown at the position.
Defensive end: 5
- George Karlaftis
- Mike Danna
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah
- Malik Herring
- B.J. Thompson
Outlook: This is a position group that you would like to see improved a bit, but with the Chiefs being strapped for cash and having more pressing needs, it may not happen. Ideally, they can hit on a mid or late-round pick who can at least give Anudike-Uzomah a push.
Defensive tackle: 4
- Chris Jones
- Jerry Tillery
- Fabien Lovett
- Siaki Ika
Outlook: The Chiefs recently added the veteran Tillery, but ideally he’s a situational pass rusher and not a starter. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent at DT, giving the opportunity for K.C. to find its starter opposite Jones with one of their top selections.
Linebacker: 8
- Nick Bolton
- Drue Tranquill
- Leo Chenal
- Jack Cochrane
- Cam Jones
- Cole Christiansen
- Blake Lynch
- Shaun Bradley
Outlook: Barring injury, there’s next to no need here. Bolton, Tranquill, and Chenal are a nice starting trio, and Cochrane, Jones, and Christiansen are experienced backups.
Safety: 5
- Bryan Cook
- Jaden Hicks
- Chamarri Conner
- Deon Bush
- Jason Taylor II
Outlook: This group took a hit experience-wise with the departure of Justin Reid, but Cook and Hicks are immensely talented. It’s possible that Cook isn’t retained next year with guys like Karlaftis and CB Trent McDuffie potentially being higher priorities to keep. I would expect the Chiefs to invest one of their top-100 picks in a S they like.
Cornerback: 8
- Trent McDuffie
- Jaylen Watson
- Kristian Fulton
- Joshua Williams
- Nazeeh Johnson
- Chris Roland-Wallace
- Eric Scott Jr.
- Darius Rush
Outlook: K.C. will add a few more guys to this group, with one potentially being a high pick. Fulton is the only CB of the top five on that list that is currently under contract beyond 2025. He will form a solid trio along with McDuffie and Watson, but the Chiefs have to keep an eye toward the future.
Special teams: 3
- K Harrison Butker
- P Matt Araiza
- LS James Winchester
Outlook: K.C. is all set with Butker and Winchester, but could bring in competition for Araiza after an underwhelming 2024 season. However, it was essentially his rookie year, so the Chiefs may stay patient with him.
