From important starters to overlooked role players to short-term specialists, the Chiefs’ free-agent losses have already racked up even in the first several days of the new league year. But with nearly two dozen free agents, the Chiefs were never going to be able to bring everyone back
As the Chiefs do their best to reconstruct the roster for another dynasty-defining run, here’s our ranking of the free-agent losses thus far.
10. Spencer Shrader (Colts)
K.C. fans will certainly appreciate the short-term reliability of Shrader from the 2024 campaign, especially a perfect effort against the Carolina Panthers that included a game-winning field goal. Shrader was a fill-in for Harrison Butker who then needed a sub of his own after going on injured reserve after just a couple of appearances. Now, he’ll try to beat out Matt Gay for the Colts’ kicking job in ’25.
9. Joshua Uche (Eagles)
Uche was a midseason addition to the Chiefs’ pass rush who never found his way onto the field with any consistency. In fact, he turned into a healthy scratch, a bit of an embarrassing development for a team that invested a future draft asset to trade for him. Uche himself says he’s not sure what went wrong, but he’s hoping to make things right with the Eagles in 2025.
8. Keith Taylor (Falcons)
Taylor was nothing more than a depth piece in the Chiefs’ secondary who provided some special teams contributions, but those things provide value even if it’s not all flashy and memorable. While not a game-changer, Taylor’s decision to leave for Atlanta removes a familiar variable from the preseason competition for reps at corner. Fortunately, the Chiefs have a penchant for coaching up prospects.
7. Mecole Hardman (Packers)
Hardman had a brief but impactful return to the Chiefs in 2023, including his memorable Super Bowl-winning touchdown. However, his injury history and lack of consistent offensive impact made him expendable. The Packers will lean on his return ability and Super Bowl experience, but the Chiefs should be just fine without Hardman going forward.
6. Derrick Nnadi (Jets)
Had Nnadi chosen to leave K.C. before this offseason, he would have been ranked much higher on our list. As it is, he has been a steady run-stuffing presence in Kansas City’s defensive interior for years. His departure to the Jets furthers the Chiefs’ need for reinforcements in the trenches, but Nnadi’s role was significantly lessened in ’24 and the trajectory was going to only get worse.
5. Samaje Perine (Bengals)
Perine’s brief tenure in Kansas City provided solid depth behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, and his versatility as a pass protector and receiving back have made him valuable at multiple stops. Cincinnati clearly missed his skill set and decided to bring him back for another go. While not a devastating loss, it was a bit surprising that the Chiefs didn’t find a way to bring back Perine for one more year.
4. Justin Watson (Texans)
Watson was never the flashiest receiver, but he was an occasional deep threat and a trusted target for Patrick Mahomes. His departure to Houston leaves the Chiefs with one less veteran presence in a young receiving room that also lost others on this list. While the team has other options, his experience and chemistry with Mahomes place him at fourth on our list.
3. DeAndre Hopkins (Ravens)
Hopkins was a midseason addition who provided a much-needed boost to the Chiefs’ passing attack. Even at his age, he showed he could still be a key contributor who also served as an important mentor and respected target. Kansas City couldn’t deliver a ring for Hopkins (and vice versa), but he’s still an important piece and the Chiefs could now use another reliable target at a position filled with injury concerns.
2. Turk Wharton (Panthers)
Some fans might think Wharton should be No. 1 on this list and they wouldn’t be wrong. An argument can be made rather easily that defensive tackle is in the worst shape on the Chiefs’ roster, so losing Wharton to the Panthers is yet another hole that must be filled on an already-thin position. But Wharton was a rotational player until last year’s breakout effort and that has to sit behind our top-ranked free-agent loss.
1. Justin Reid (Saints)
Of all of the free-agent losses so far for the Chiefs, Justin Reid is the one that stings the most. The most difficult player to replace might be Wharton for reasons we already stated, but Reid was a long-term starter who was ultra-reliable and a great team leader. He’s still young enough to earn another multi-year deal and the Saints got a nice deal in the process. While the Chiefs likely have the youth and depth to handle it, Reid’s presence will be missed on and off the field.
