Unraveling the Future: The Chiefs’ High-Stakes Offseason in 2025 – Free Agents, Salary Cap Surprises, and Draft Pick Drama!

Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ 40-22 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, the team currently has 49 players signed to contracts.

Returning Players (35)

All these players were part of the final active roster or reserve lists in 2024 and will be available for the upcoming season.

Offense 🔥

QB Patrick Mahomes
T Ethan Driskell
T Kingsley Suamataia
T Jawaan Taylor
C Creed Humphrey
G Joe Thuney
OL C.J. Hanson
OL McKade Mettauer
OL Wanya Morris
OL Hunter Nourzad
RB Isiah Pacheco
RB Carson Steele
TE Noah Gray
TE Travis Kelce
TE Jared Wiley
WR Skyy Moore
WR Nikko Remigio
WR Rashee Rice
WR Xavier Worthy

Defense 🛡️

CB Trent McDuffie
CB Christian Roland-Wallace
CB Jaylen Watson
CB Joshua Williams
S Chamarri Conner
S Bryan Cook
S Jaden Hicks
LB Leo Chenal
LB Cam Jones
LB Drue Tranquill
DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
DE Michael Danna
DE George Karlaftis
DE BJ Thompson
DT Chris Jones

Specialists 🎯

These positions represent the specialists in the squad, contributing to the team’s scoring efforts and crucial moments during matches.

New Reserve/Future Contracts (15)

These players have been signed to Reserve/Future deals for the 2025 season, positioning them for inclusion on the 90-man roster as the new league year commences on March 12 at 3 p.m. Central Time. Players indicated with an asterisk (*) were part of the practice squad at season's end.

Offense 🏈

QB Chris Oladokun*
T Chukwuebuka Godrick*
TE Baylor Cupp*
TE Anthony Firkser*
RB Keaontay Ingram*
WR Jason Brownlee*
WR Justyn Ross*
WR Tyquan Thornton*

Defense 🔒

CB Darius Rush*
S Deon Bush*
DB Eric Scott*
DB Jason Taylor
LB Shaun Bradley
DT Siaki Ika*
DT Fabien Lovett*

Free Agents (27)

At the conclusion of the season, these players occupied spots on the team’s active roster or were placed on the Reserve/Injured list. Their current contracts will reach expiration on the first day of the new league year. The athletes are categorized based on their tenure in the league.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs)

These players have fewer than three accrued seasons. The Chiefs can retain rights for the 2025 season by offering one-year minimum contracts for the upcoming year, which most ERFAs typically accept.

OL Mike Caliendo
P Matt Araiza

Restricted Free Agents (RFAs)

Having accumulated three seasons, these players can negotiate with any franchise. However, the Chiefs can extend contract tenders, granting the right of first refusal or potential draft-pick compensation if they sign with other teams.

TE Peyton Hendershot
CB Nazeeh Johnson
CB Keith Taylor
DE Malik Herring
LB Jack Cochrane

Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs)

These players have four or more accrued seasons in the NFL and are free agents. They can negotiate contracts with any team. Some are likely to be re-signed by the Chiefs, while others may seek better opportunities elsewhere—and some might return if they face challenges finding new teams.

QB Carson Wentz
G Trey Smith
T D.J. Humphries
RB Kareem Hunt
RB Samaje Perine
TE Jody Fortson
WR Marquise Brown
WR Mecole Hardman
WR DeAndre Hopkins
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR Justin Watson
S Justin Reid
LB Nick Bolton
DE Charles Omenihu
DE Joshua Uche
DT Derrick Nnadi
DT Mike Pennel
DT Marlon Tuipulotu
DT Tershawn Wharton
LS James Winchester

Draft Picks (6)

As it stands, Kansas City possesses six selections in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, slated for April 24-26 in Green Bay.

Round 1, Pick 31
Round 2, Pick 63
Round 3, Pick 66 (via Tennessee)
Round 3, Pick 95
Round 4, Pick 127
Round 7, Pick 256

Additionally, the franchise is likely to receive compensatory picks due to free agency losses in 2024. The exact number and positions of these picks are not yet finalized, but the current estimates suggest it will amount to one pick at the end of the seventh round.

Cap Space ($4.4 Million)

With these 50 players under contract, along with the NFL salary cap increase to $275 million, the initial estimation suggests the franchise currently holds $4.4 million in cap space. Until March 12, when the new league year commences, there are no restrictions on team salaries. However, once the new league year starts, the top 51 salaries of the team must adhere to the cap limitations. Thus, this figure reflects a temporary estimation of available cap space at this moment.

This number is subject to change as the Chiefs are expected to apply roster adjustments prior to the new league year.

Stay tuned to the Chiefs roster page for the latest updates on the team structure and salary cap information. As the offseason advances, keep an eye out for further developments!