The Kansas City Chiefs are headed into an offseason with more questions than answers in the secondary-particularly at safety. While the team has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, the safety room is one area that’s shaping up to need some attention, and potentially some fresh faces.
Bryan Cook is set to hit free agency, and he’s not just another name on the market. He’s expected to command a solid paycheck, possibly pricing himself out of Kansas City’s plans.
Jaden Hicks remains an enigma-his role and snap count have been inconsistent, and it’s tough to tell what the coaching staff really sees in him long-term. As for Chamarri Conner, he’s shown flashes, but there are some clear limitations in his game that make it hard to pencil him in as a full-time starter just yet.
That leaves the Chiefs with a few options. They can dip into the draft come April, but before that, there’s free agency. And with the team likely looking to preserve cap space for bigger priorities, they’ll probably be shopping in the value aisle when it comes to safeties.
Let’s take a look at three veteran options who could bring versatility, experience, and upside to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense-without breaking the bank.
Jaylinn Hawkins - Versatility in Spags’ Playground
Jaylinn Hawkins has quietly carved out a reputation as one of the more adaptable safeties in the league. After stints with Atlanta and the Chargers, he landed with the Patriots and played some of his best football to date. In 2025, he was a key cog in New England’s defense, helping them punch a ticket to Super Bowl LX.
What makes Hawkins stand out is his ability to do a little bit of everything-and do it well. He graded out as the seventh-best safety in pass coverage last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and also contributed effectively in run support and even as a situational pass rusher.
His snap distribution tells the story of a true Swiss Army knife: 640 snaps at free safety, 249 in the box, 113 in the slot, and 26 near the line of scrimmage. That kind of positional flexibility is a dream for a coordinator like Spagnuolo, who thrives on disguising looks and moving pieces around the chessboard.
Hawkins is projected to command just over $8 million per year, which might be a touch rich for Kansas City depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out. But if the Chiefs are looking for a plug-and-play veteran who can impact all three downs, Hawkins fits that mold.
Alohi Gilman - A Scheme Fit with Physicality
Alohi Gilman’s 2025 season was a bit of a roller coaster-but one that ended on a high note. Traded midseason from the Chargers to the Ravens in a rare player-for-player deal, Gilman found new life in Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens trusted him in coverage against tight ends and bigger-bodied receivers, and he responded with a bounce-back campaign.
Gilman logged over 300 snaps in the box and showed the kind of range and athleticism that could complement what Kansas City already has on the back end. He’s not a pure deep safety, but he doesn’t need to be. His ability to cover ground and match up with different types of pass catchers could give Spagnuolo the flexibility to mix and match coverages without sacrificing speed or physicality.
At a projected $4-5 million per year, Gilman could be a cost-effective addition who brings the kind of edge and instincts that Kansas City’s defense lacked at times in 2025. He’s not a flashy name, but he’s the kind of player who could thrive in a new system with the right coaching.
Nick Cross - A Bounce-Back Candidate with Upside
Nick Cross didn’t have the season he-or the Colts-were hoping for in 2025. While he held his own against the run, his coverage grade dipped to a career low, and he never quite looked comfortable in Lou Anarumo’s scheme. But let’s not forget: Cross is still just 25 years old and has shown enough in previous seasons to believe a rebound is possible.
For Kansas City, Cross represents a classic low-risk, high-upside signing. The Chiefs have a track record of taking chances on young defensive backs who need a change of scenery, and more often than not, they’ve been able to get the most out of them.
If Cross can get back to the form he showed in 2023 and 2024, he could be a steal at his projected $6 million per year price tag. He may not be ready to step in as a Day 1 starter, but with the right development and a clearly defined role, he could become a valuable rotational piece-or more.
The Bottom Line
The Chiefs don’t need a superstar at safety. What they need is reliability, versatility, and someone who can thrive within Spagnuolo’s ever-evolving defensive scheme. Whether it’s the proven flexibility of Jaylinn Hawkins, the physical presence of Alohi Gilman, or the untapped potential of Nick Cross, there are options out there that can help solidify the back end without draining the cap.
With Bryan Cook likely heading for a big payday elsewhere, the time is now for Kansas City to start retooling the safety room. And if they play their cards right, they might just find a difference-maker hiding in plain sight.