With the Kansas City Chiefs officially out of the playoff picture and Patrick Mahomes shut down for the final stretch, the focus in Kansas City shifts from postseason dreams to long-term development. The next three weeks aren’t about wins and losses-they’re about auditions.
With roster turnover looming and several key veterans set to hit free agency, this is prime evaluation season. The Chiefs need to figure out who’s worth building around in 2026 and beyond.
Here are three young players who could shape the future of the franchise-and what to watch for as the season winds down.
1. Can Brashard Smith carve out a meaningful role in the backfield?
All year long, there’s been quiet anticipation around rookie running back Brashard Smith. The potential is there-explosiveness, vision, and enough versatility to be a weapon in both the run and pass game.
But so far, the breakout hasn’t come. The Chiefs haven’t found a consistent way to deploy him, and he’s been a non-factor in the passing game.
That needs to change-starting now.
Kansas City has been looking for someone to fill the void left by Jerick McKinnon, a dynamic third-down back who could catch passes, pick up blitzes, and create mismatches. Smith has the tools to be that guy.
With Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both set to hit free agency, it makes little sense to keep feeding them carries. The Chiefs need to see what they have in Smith, and the final three games are the perfect proving ground.
What should that look like? It starts with volume and variety.
Give Smith a healthy dose of touches across multiple run concepts-inside zone, outside zone, gap runs-and see where he thrives. But don’t stop there.
Get him involved in the passing game. Screens, swing passes, angle routes-anything to get the ball in his hands in space.
Let him show if he can be that elusive, change-of-pace threat this offense has been missing.
The next three weeks are Smith’s opportunity to turn potential into production. If he flashes, it could reshape the Chiefs’ approach to the running back room in 2026.
2. Can Ashton Gillotte become a consistent pass-rushing threat?
The Chiefs' defensive line has been a mixed bag over the last two seasons-and that’s putting it kindly. Beyond Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, the unit has lacked reliable depth and consistent disruption.
Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna haven’t looked like the same players they were in 2023, and the loss of Tershawn Wharton in free agency left a noticeable void. Add in the injury to Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and suddenly the line looks thin.
Enter Ashton Gillotte.
The rookie edge rusher was drafted to help fix this exact issue. After a quiet start to the year and limited snaps, Gillotte is starting to see more action-and he just turned in his best performance of the season against the Chargers. Now, with three games left, the Chiefs need to let him loose.
Gillotte should be playing starter-level snaps from here on out. This is his audition for 2026.
The coaching staff needs to find out: can he hold up against the run despite his lighter frame and shorter arms? And more importantly, can he consistently pressure the quarterback?
There have been flashes-moments where you see the burst off the edge, the bend, the motor. But flashes aren’t enough.
The Chiefs need to see it more often, and they’ll get a good read over the next two weeks. Matchups against the Titans and Raiders offer real chances to shine against struggling offensive tackles.
If Gillotte can make noise in those games, it’ll go a long way toward solidifying his place in next year’s rotation.
But if he disappears? It might be back to the drawing board for a defensive line that’s already in flux.
3. Can Esa Pole earn a long-term role on the offensive line?
Let’s talk about one of the more intriguing under-the-radar stories: undrafted rookie tackle Esa Pole. He turned heads in his debut against the Texans, showing poise and power that belied his rookie status.
Last week, though, was a different story. Up against athletic edge rushers like Odafe Oweh and Tuli Tuipulotu, Pole struggled to keep the edge clean.
That’s to be expected-those are tough matchups for any young lineman.
Still, the Chiefs need to know what they have in him. Is Pole a future starter?
A reliable swing tackle? Or just a depth piece?
Over the next three games, consistency is the name of the game. Pole doesn’t need to dominate, but he does need to show he can hold his own against NFL-caliber pass rushers.
With the possibility of the team moving on from Jawaan Taylor this offseason, tackle depth becomes a major priority. If Pole can prove he’s ready to take on a bigger role-or at least be the top backup-it gives the Chiefs flexibility heading into 2026.
Even if he’s not quite starter-ready, a capable swing tackle is a valuable asset. The Chiefs know better than most how critical offensive line depth is when the games matter most. If Pole can lock down that role, it’s a big win for the front office and a huge boost for the offensive line room moving forward.
Bottom Line:
The Chiefs may be out of the playoff race, but these next three weeks are anything but meaningless. For players like Smith, Gillotte, and Pole, this is their shot to prove they belong in the plans for 2026. The stakes are real, the opportunities are there, and the evaluations start now.