With NFL free agency just around the corner, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in an intriguing position. After a 2025 season that didn’t quite meet expectations, the team has some work to do-not just to reload, but to reassert themselves as serious contenders. The salary cap will require some maneuvering, but if GM Brett Veach plays his cards right, the Chiefs could walk away with a few key pieces that make a real difference in 2026.
Let’s dive into five free agents who could help Kansas City hit the ground running next season.
1. RB Rachaad White - A Hometown Fit for a Revamped Run Game
The Chiefs’ backfield is in flux. With only Brashard Smith under contract, there's a clear opportunity to add a reliable, physical presence-and Rachaad White fits that mold. A Kansas City native, White could be the kind of affordable, high-upside signing that pays dividends.
Projected at around $7.5 million per year, White brings a bruising style that’s tailor-made for short-yardage and goal-line situations. He’s not just a one-dimensional runner either-White has shown he can contribute as a receiver and hold his own in pass protection, which makes him a three-down option in Andy Reid’s offense.
After taking a backseat in Tampa Bay to Bucky Irving, White could be looking for a fresh start and a bigger role. If the Chiefs want to pair him with a rookie or let him lead the charge, he’d be a great fit in a downhill, physical rushing attack that could use a little more bite.
2. DT Logan Hall - Depth with Upside Behind Chris Jones
Logan Hall hasn’t exactly lived up to his second-round billing from 2022, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value-especially in Kansas City’s system. At 6'6" and 286 pounds, Hall has the physical tools to be disruptive, and at just 26 years old, there’s still time for him to grow into a more consistent contributor.
With Jerry Tillery, Derrick Nnadi, and Mike Pennel all hitting free agency, the Chiefs will need bodies on the interior. Hall could be a direct replacement for Tillery, offering rotational value and the versatility to slide inside as a 3-technique.
He was miscast at times in Tampa Bay’s 3-4 scheme, often lining up directly over offensive tackles. In Kansas City’s 4-3, he could be freed up to attack more vertically, which plays better to his strengths.
He’s not a splashy name, but Hall could quietly become a valuable piece in Steve Spagnuolo’s rotation-especially if he’s used situationally to maximize his burst and length.
3. WR Romeo Doubs - A Reliable Target for Mahomes
While the Chiefs’ wide receiver room showed flashes in 2025, it lacked consistency-and that’s where Romeo Doubs comes in. Coming off his most productive season with the Packers (724 yards and 6 TDs), Doubs proved he can be a dependable red-zone weapon and a solid No. 2 option.
At a projected $12.5 million per year, Doubs isn’t cheap, but he brings a skill set that Kansas City’s current free agent wideouts-JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and Tyquon Thornton-haven’t consistently provided. He’s physical, has reliable hands, and knows how to find soft spots in coverage.
Adding Doubs to a group that includes Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy could give Mahomes a more complete receiving corps. Rice and Worthy have shown potential, but neither has fully broken out yet. Doubs could be the kind of steady presence who helps open things up for everyone else-and gives Mahomes a trustworthy target when the play breaks down.
4. TE Kyle Pitts - The Heir Apparent to Travis Kelce?
Travis Kelce’s future is still up in the air, but whether he returns for one more run or not, the Chiefs have to start thinking about life after No. 87. Enter Kyle Pitts.
Pitts’ career in Atlanta has been a rollercoaster. After a 1,000-yard rookie season, he struggled to find his footing in Arthur Smith’s offense. But in 2025, under a new coaching staff, he bounced back with 928 yards, 88 receptions, and 5 touchdowns-career highs across the board.
At $10.8 million projected annually, Pitts would be a significant investment. But the upside is enormous. Under Andy Reid’s tutelage-and with Kelce potentially mentoring him-Pitts could finally reach the All-Pro ceiling many envisioned when he was drafted.
He’s a mismatch nightmare with elite athleticism, and in a spread-based offense with Mahomes pulling the strings, Pitts could thrive. This wouldn’t just be a move for 2026-it could be the beginning of the next chapter at tight end in Kansas City.
5. DE Joseph Ossai - A Change-of-Pace Pass Rusher
Joseph Ossai’s name might still sting for some in Chiefs Kingdom, thanks to the infamous late hit on Mahomes in the 2022 AFC title game. But since then, Ossai has turned himself into a solid rotational edge rusher-and he could be exactly what the Chiefs need on the outside.
Kansas City’s defensive end group needs more twitch, more bend, more juice off the edge. Ossai brings that. He’s quick off the snap, can dip and bend around tackles, and would be a nice complement to the power-based approach of George Karlaftis and the interior dominance of Chris Jones.
He may not be a perfect scheme fit for Spagnuolo’s preference for bigger, stouter ends, but as a situational rusher, Ossai could be a valuable “changeup” who gives opposing offenses something different to think about. At a projected $9 million per year, it’s a bit of a gamble-but one that could pay off if the Chiefs want to juice their pass rush without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
The Chiefs aren’t in need of a full rebuild-they’re still one of the most talented teams in the league. But after a disappointing 2025, they need to retool in smart, calculated ways. These five free agents each bring something unique to the table: physicality, versatility, experience, or untapped potential.
With the right mix of internal cap moves and strategic signings, Kansas City could reestablish itself as a powerhouse in 2026-and these players might just be the ones to help them do it.