🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Welcome the the Kansas City Chiefs offseason thread!

Lots of potential turnover, so maybe a good idea to have a dedicated thread.

Saw this on another site. Free agents...

Exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs)

These players have fewer than three accrued seasons in the league. The Chiefs can retain their rights for 2025 by tendering them a one-year NFL minimum contract for the coming season. Most ERFA players are offered (and sign) these contracts.

OL Mike Caliendo
P Matt Araiza

Restricted free agents (RFAs)

These players have accumulated three accrued seasons in the league. While these players can negotiate and sign with any team, the Chiefs team can offer them a contract tender that comes with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation should they sign elsewhere.

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 NFL seasons. All are free to negotiate and sign with any team. Some will be re-signed to new Chiefs contracts. Others will be allowed to seek better deals with other teams — and if history is any guide, some of them will later be re-signed if they are unable to find work elsewhere. And some will never again wear a Kansas City uniform.

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

@rockchalkjayhawk

My choices to retain with new contracts are in bold. (These assume Kelce and a few others retire or are cut to increase salary cap space, which right now is only $11 mil+)

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

Wow, keeping Perine over Hunt?

The WR room may look different yet again, huh.

It may be very challenging to keep all 3 due to cap space - Smith, Bolton, Reid,

I'd like to at least keep Smith

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs offseason:

Wow, keeping Perine over Hunt?

The WR room may look different yet again, huh.

I'd consider drafting someone to go with X and Rice. Could be a NASTY wr group.

4 million in cap space with 50 players signed. When (hopefully not) Kelce retires in the next couple weeks that will free up his 17mil cap hit.

@BShark said in Chiefs offseason:

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs offseason:

Wow, keeping Perine over Hunt?

The WR room may look different yet again, huh.

I'd consider drafting someone to go with X and Rice. Could be a NASTY wr group.

I am hoping they draft an RB in the first three or four rounds.

@rockchalkjayhawk Any total studs this year? I feel like things might have swung back around with RBs to where they are actually undervalued if you can find a true super Saquon type level talent. Saquon completely warped the super bowl, which isn't clear from his stats but is obvious with an understanding of football.

Different position but I really like Tyler Warren. I don't believe he will be on the board when the Chiefs pick however.

@BShark said in Chiefs offseason:

@rockchalkjayhawk Any total studs this year? I feel like things might have swung back around with RBs to where they are actually undervalued if you can find a true super Saquon type level talent. Saquon completely warped the super bowl, which isn't clear from his stats but is obvious with an understanding of football.

Different position but I really like Tyler Warren. I don't believe he will be on the board when the Chiefs pick however.

Haven't paid too much attention to the options yet. But, now's the time to poke around.

Just saw this about cap space:

Teams expect the 2025 cap ceiling to check in somewhere between $265MM and $275MM, providing a general target to aim for before the final figure is unveiled by the NFL. Using a projected cap of $272.5MM, here is a look at where all 32 teams currently stand (courtesy of Over the Cap):

Kansas City Chiefs: $916K over

A few Chiefs rumors/hearings:

— Kelce leaning toward coming back

— Hollywood Brown may be the most likely FA wide receiver to return

— Chiefs are not expected to franchise tag guard Trey Smith

— Arrests made in dudes who robbed Mahomes and Kelce. A Chilean theft gang!

— Noise out there about KC signing FA left tackle Ronnie Stanley from Baltimore.

—

Tackle is most important position to address IMO

@rockchalkjayhawk Had not heard about Staley. That would be a coupe!

@AsadZ said in Chiefs offseason:

Tackle is most important position to address IMO

Tackle first at whatever cost and then you fill in the rest of the roster.

WR is a need, but vet FA WRs should be available.

Going to need a solid draft to continue the current level of success.

Ha, saw this rumor today. seems like no way it could happen.

Inspired by an idea from Shannon Sharpe, this projected trade sees the Chiefs sending a fourth and seventh-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for former No. 4 selection Kyle Pitts and a 2026 seventh-rounder.

What do you think about trading Chris Jones for draft picks and cap space relief

Ha. Saw that one too. The off-season NFL is fun!

It’d be a $24M dead cap space hit. So, doesn’t seem to make sense.

And the BIG news of the day:

Chiefs will franchise tag Trey Smith.

Big surprise from what I’ve been reading.

Per Trey Smith: Some are speculating it sets the stage for a tag and trade.

@rockchalkjayhawk Makes sense, similar to Sneed

They are not going to trade Smith. They will sign him to a long term deal.

Wish the LT position would be addressed properly, then I’ll feel good about Trey coming back. Great player - wrong position (imho) for all that cap space though.

Anyone see Neal’s 40 time…4.6 one of the slowest RBs 😳. My biggest Neal complaint was his top end speed. I still think he can be a solid back at the next level but worried that could drop him back a few picks.

@kjayhawks said in Chiefs offseason:

Anyone see Neal’s 40 time…4.6 one of the slowest RBs 😳. My biggest Neal complaint was his top end speed. I still think he can be a solid back at the next level but worried that could drop him back a few picks.

Ah, that's too bad. I hope it doesn't hurt his draft round status too bad. I thought i noticed his top end speed wasn't the greatest. But, he's patient and shifty. Good qualities.

Ooh, now you got me looking at the 40 times...bad for KU today?

Cobee Bryant: 4.56

Mello Dotson: 4.59

A side note for inspiration:

I just looked at the record book for 40-yard dash times. In the top 20 times, there's like one name of significance (other than Xavier Worthy): Chris Johnson, RB.

So, maybe not that big a stink.

Tape and measurables. Neal has the tape, but his 3 cone time and 40 are not good. Skattbo knew he would test poorly so he skipped them. I think that was smart.

A bit bummed to see Thuney get traded but realizing that NFL is a business.

Good move by Bears, they get an all-pro Guard and a very fine human being.

@AsadZ Good move by Veach. Thuney was gone after next season - As another poster put it Veach says, “I keep getting older, they stay the same age” (insert dazed and confused pic of matthew mcconaughey). He just doesn’t sign players over the age of 30 very often - Kelce and Chris Jones so far have been all I can think of.

I think there are good guard options on the team (Kingsley should have the inside track, Norad maybe, Caleindo isn’t it I hope). They can’t tie up 23 mil for Trey (should be closer to 5-10 this year after a long term deal is done) and 27mil for Thuney (save 16 mil by trading him, but there is a bit of a dead cap hit -11 million).

But there is not a good LT option on the team. Morris isn’t it yet, maybe down the road. Stanley if he can stay healthy would be nice. The OT draft is weak and all the top tackles lack the measurable (34” arms) that Veach covets.

It does seem as though Veach likes to fill as many holes in the roster as possible before the draft. that way he won’t have to draft on need, but rather best player available (at least that is the goal).

Holy crapola! just seeing the Thuney trade. wow. very surprising. wow!

hmm. We sure hope Veach knows what he's doing here.

@dylans Donovan Smith, who was the subject of lots of annoyed questions about why the Chiefs didn't sign him instead of DJH, was rehabbing an injury last season. He is now very healthy and is mentioned as a possible LT for KC. I've read Kingsley has inside track on LG job.

@AsadZ I don't pay any attention to offensive linemen but any time I see Bears get an all pro oline guy I'm happy!

@wissox Thuney is very good, you should be very happy when he arrives.

@dylans Maybe not as happy as Caleb Williams whose life was threatened every Sunday last season.

Sad for Thuney but I hope they can sign someone that isn’t injury prone to cover the LT spot. We have Humphrey as a back up plan IMO they need to trade or draft one

@wissox right? So far we've traded for a starting center and Thuney. Ben and Poles aren't messing around in rebuilding the OL.

The raiders just traded a third round pick for Geno smith

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

@wissox Thuney is very good, you should be very happy when he arrives.

Yep. Right move for the Chiefs I feel because they had to but they definitely lost a good player.

Worthy arrested

Damn

Another drama and distraction

Jeebus. That's no good. Agreed, can we just go one offseason without some sort of arrest or chaos? Oh well. Sound like self defense, but we'll see.

“The complainant was asked multiple times over the last two weeks to vacate Mr. Worthy’s residence upon discovery of her infidelity, which a private investigator has video evidence of. She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy.

“The complainant further destroyed a room in the residence, scratched Mr. Worthy’s face and ripped out parts of his hair, which there is photographic evidence of. Mr. Worthy told law enforcement at the time of the incident he did not want to press charges against the complainant.

And now for some good offseason news!

We resigned Hollywood! yay.

Whew. Worthy will not be charged for now. It's possible if they gather more evidence later though.

“After further investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and further discussion with a third-party witness, Mr. Worthy and his attorneys, this case is being declined at this time pending completion of the investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office," reads an email from Dick's office. "Mr. Worthy and his lawyers are fully cooperating with this investigation.

Left tackle update:

Ravens are re-signing Ronnie Stanley, who was rumored to be an option for the Chiefs.

Back to the drawing board.

@rockchalkjayhawk I hope he presses charges on her, supposedly they have video and photo evidence of her assaulting him. I feel bad for him, there are some terrible women in the world as well as men they just don’t get the attention they should.

@rockchalkjayhawk Not sure how to feel about that one. Dodged a major injury risk, but he’s good when healthy.

And it looks like the Chiefs have now locked up Nick Bolton for three more years.

Some interesting moves so far. Lots thought he would move on to the Bengals.

@rockchalkjayhawk I honestly didn’t want him back, good run stopper but terrible in coverage.

@kjayhawks said in Chiefs offseason:

@rockchalkjayhawk I honestly didn’t want him back, good run stopper but terrible in coverage.

The fan base seems to be split about his skills. too slow in coverage for some, a great QB of the defense for others.

Bolton is ok. Good run stopper like @kjayhawks says. Would rather have used than money elsewhere though. Tranquil could hold down the mlb spot if needed with Chenel becoming a starter. Was expecting Bolton to sign a deal with the Cowboys and the Chiefs spend some money on LT! More moves to come I hope.

@rockchalkjayhawk Looks like Worthy and Carlton Bragg date from the same pool. 🤪 crazy gals is as nice as I can put it.

15 minutes until the legal tampering period. Should get interesting for lots of teams. I do not expect the Chiefs to be big spenders after wrapping up so many cap $$$ in Bolton and Trey Smith - hopefully a long term deal can be done to lessen the cap hit.

Jaylon Moore is the LT for the next couple years. I like this pickup. He played very well spelling a hurt Trent Williams. 27 years old and healthy. I’m glad the Ravens sewed up Stanley early!

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

Jaylon Moore is the LT for the next couple years. I like this pickup. He played very well spelling a hurt Trent Williams. 27 years old and healthy. I’m glad the Ravens sewed up Stanley early!

Hmmm. A Big hmmm on this signing. As a guy who lives in the Bay Area and watches the 49ers, too...their line was close to the same mess as the Chiefs line.

Not sure this was a good signing. Moore is totally unproven. Big gamble. Big big gamble.

But i think the Elijah Mitchell signing was excellent!

He did very well when healthy. when healthy being the key phrase ...

@rockchalkjayhawk Fair enough. 10 pressures and 1 sack in 4 games is about what Patrick faced per game on the left side last year though. I’d be happy with league average.

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

@rockchalkjayhawk Fair enough. 10 pressures and 1 sack in 4 games is about what Patrick faced per game on the left side last year though. I’d be happy with league average.

yep. fingers crossed.

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

Jaylon Moore is the LT for the next couple years. I like this pickup. He played very well spelling a hurt Trent Williams. 27 years old and healthy. I’m glad the Ravens sewed up Stanley early!

Talked with a friend of mine that is a lifelong 49ers fan. Said he's fine not amazing. We both agreed fine would be a huge upgrade vs what KC was trotting out last season at the position.

@BShark Could still be Orlando Brown Jr. if he hadn’t messed around and found out. I’m ok with competent tackle play, it’s been awhile. I think Moore brings it. Glad it’s not Dan Moore and his 12 sacks allowed last year at 21 mil. Yikes.

Wharton got paid!!! 3/54. 🤩 Too bad he’s gone, but I’m glad he got a bag!

Watch out Mahomes, Minshew Mania is in da house!!!!

Sounds like Kareem Hunt is back too.

The RB room seems set with Pacheco, Hunt, Mitchell and maybe a late round RB draft pick?

The gang’s all back: JuJu returning as well.

I’m ready for mock draft season to end and the real deal to go down! The player highlights are enjoyable during the draft.

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

I’m ready for mock draft season to end and the real deal to go down! The player highlights are enjoyable during the draft.

Tonight! 😁 No more mock drafts, on to bashing the picks! lol

Josh Simmons - a talent the Chiefs would not likely be able to draft sans injury. He’s the player I expected/hoped the Chiefs would draft. Now to get healed up and back at it! Need to keep Mahomes upright!

A big Hmmm on the Chiefs second and early third round picks.

@rockchalkjayhawk said in Chiefs offseason:

A big Hmmm on the Chiefs second and early third round picks.

Positions of need.

Drafting the big uglies - good. Not sexy, but the games are often won or lost in the trenches. I’m completely in the dark about the defensive players selected, but I like the positions filled.

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

Drafting the big uglies - good. Not sexy, but the games are often won or lost in the trenches. I’m completely in the dark about the defensive players selected, but I like the positions filled.

Yep, the most important positions. Big swing on the Ohio State tackle, but I like the risk. top 15 guy in any draft if healthy...

@BShark I didn’t realize the low success rate of linemen returning from a patellar tendon tear (45%). I’m going to say it’s gotten better and the sample size goes back too far, but that’s a sketchy number. Burkholder has checked him out a couple times and cleared him, so that’s encouraging. However there is risk that he never fully recovers like Niang. 😱

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

@BShark I didn’t realize the low success rate of linemen returning from a patellar tendon tear (45%). I’m going to say it’s gotten better and the sample size goes back too far, but that’s a sketchy number. Burkholder has checked him out a couple times and cleared him, so that’s encouraging. However there is risk that he never fully recovers like Niang. 😱

It's a very bad injury for sure. Same that Elmarko had...

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

Drafting the big uglies - good. Not sexy, but the games are often won or lost in the trenches. I’m completely in the dark about the defensive players selected, but I like the positions filled.

Yea, we need those kinda guys for sure. I say hmmmm because I’d like to draft a starter or two in those early spots, and these guys don’t seem to be more than situational players.

I’m not expert enough to know who else was available, but pretty much every expert says these picks were big reaches.

Depth is fine of course, but you need some meat to go with your potatoes, too.

Man, so many lazy ass writers and AI bots in the world today. Saw this on KC Kingdom:

The Kansas City Chiefs took a big swing on a high-upside prospect with their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as Josh Simmons was promising player on the offensive line throughout his collegiate career before an Achilles tendon injury cut short his final season with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

@rockchalkjayhawk Ive seen Achilles, ACL, and Meniscus all being referenced in place of his injured patellar tendon - partial tear is my understanding. But it might be he strained his pinky 🤷‍♂️ so much misinformation.

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

patellar tendon

Yep. crazy.
But, i do hope the Chiefs take their time with him, let him fully recover from his broken whatever it is.

The new cap numbers came out. KC is down near the bottom.

1 New England Patriots: $67.34MM

29 Kansas City Chiefs: $10.75MM

32 Buffalo Bills: $1.69MM

Dang!!! New England is so bad they couldn’t give away contracts!

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

Dang!!! New England is so bad they couldn’t give away contracts!

Oddly the 49ers are second in cap space. They did a great job cleaning contracts.

@rockchalkjayhawk Purdy’s new contract forced them to clear their books. Not a serious contender this year. Cap gymnastics are wild. Void years, backloaded contracts, etc. it all muddies up the picture. Essentially if a team wants to keep any given player they can make it work, but you can’t keep every player.

Looks like the Chiefs may be considering WR Worthy as punt returner this year. I'd be worried about him breaking in half!

2024 first-rounder Xavier Worthy established himself as a dynamic offensive playmaker as a rookie, and the Chiefs are hoping he can translate that into success on special teams this season.

“He’s the best punt returner nobody knows about right now in the league,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub (via Ed Easton Jr. of Chiefs Wire).

@rockchalkjayhawk Agreed. He’s not built thick like Tyreek, just fast. Good ball tracking and hands, but probably not a good idea.

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

@rockchalkjayhawk Agreed. He’s not built thick like Tyreek, just fast. Good ball tracking and hands, but probably not a good idea.

I mean, if the WR room were stacked, sure why not. Speed kills. Hit the hole and go. But I think he’s going to be important to keep healthy.

@rockchalkjayhawk Toub overstates his hand constantly. Good coach, but big mouth.

Sounds like the punting spot could be a real competition

@BShark https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2025/6/5/24443563/chiefs-news-matt-araiza-eddie-czaplicki-punter-battle-real ↗

Maybe, but if history is any indicator the incumbent will win out - I am not an Ariza fan. His control sucks, but he has a huge leg. The Mahomes led Chiefs don’t usually need to flip the field, but rather pin them back when a drive stalls. So maybe Eddie wins out. 🤷‍♂️ I don’t want to see Tommy Townsend-esc hold issues ever again so the best hold might win out too. 🤷‍♂️ 🤷

@dylans agree, holding is very important

@dylans said in Chiefs offseason:

@BShark https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2025/6/5/24443563/chiefs-news-matt-araiza-eddie-czaplicki-punter-battle-real ↗

Maybe, but if history is any indicator the incumbent will win out - I am not an Ariza fan. His control sucks, but he has a huge leg. The Mahomes led Chiefs don’t usually need to flip the field, but rather pin them back when a drive stalls. So maybe Eddie wins out. 🤷‍♂️ I don’t want to see Tommy Townsend-esc hold issues ever again so the best hold might win out too. 🤷‍♂️ 🤷

Yea, good points.

Trey Smith signed 4 year extension Final piece in place!

Edit: Other than 2nd rd pick. Only 2 of 32 have signed. They all want more guaranteed money after this year's 1st pick of the second round got a huge guaranteed portion increase over last year's #33 pick.

@mayjay wonderful news

Looks like the Chiefs have all their draft rookies locked up with contracts.
Let the camp battles begin!

And now Karlaftis gets a big bag!

Four year deal for $93? million for him.

Who's next?

@rockchalkjayhawk McDuffie hopefully - but that looks like a 30mil per year ball park deal and may not be in the cards. That’s a whole lotta cap space.