The Kansas City Chiefs have been living in rare air for the better part of the last half-decade. When you’ve got Patrick Mahomes in his prime, you don’t need to overhaul your roster every offseason - you just need to keep the engine running.
But 2025 threw a wrench into that formula. Mahomes battled through a tough knee injury, and for the first time in a while, the Chiefs looked mortal.
With a 6-11 finish and a top-10 draft pick on the horizon, the margin for error is shrinking. That means free agency matters more now than it has in years.
So, how did Kansas City fare in the 2025 free agent market? Let’s break it down - starting with the bright spot.
Kareem Hunt: A Surprise That Paid Off
When the Chiefs brought back Kareem Hunt, it raised a few eyebrows. After all, Hunt hadn’t looked like his old self in recent seasons, and many assumed his best days were behind him. But Kansas City saw something - and it paid off.
Hunt posted a 78.3 rushing grade, his highest mark since 2018. That’s not just a number; it reflected what we saw on the field.
He was the guy the Chiefs leaned on in key short-yardage situations, and he delivered. Fifty-five first downs on the ground is no small feat, especially when many of those came in moments where Kansas City needed someone to move the chains and no one else could.
In a backfield that struggled with consistency, Hunt became the stabilizer. He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective - and in an offense that lacked rhythm at times, that kind of reliability was critical. The Chiefs may have asked a little too much of him at points, but Hunt showed he still has gas in the tank.
Jaylon Moore: A Costly Miss on the Offensive Line
Now, the flip side.
Kansas City’s most questionable move came in the form of right tackle Jaylon Moore. Signed to a two-year, $30 million deal, Moore was brought in largely as insurance for the oft-injured rookie left tackle Josh Simmons. But instead of shoring up the line, Moore became part of the problem.
He logged 427 snaps - and in that time, allowed 27 pressures and three sacks. That’s a lot of heat on a quarterback who was already working through a knee injury.
Mahomes is known for his escapability, but even he can only do so much when the pocket collapses that quickly. Moore’s pass-blocking efficiency ranked among the league’s worst for qualified tackles, tied for third-worst in the NFL.
That’s not the kind of production you want from someone eating up that much cap space.
The ripple effect was felt throughout the offense. With Mahomes under constant duress and the run game inconsistent outside of Hunt, the Chiefs couldn’t find their usual rhythm. The line’s instability was a major factor in the team’s struggles, and Moore’s underwhelming performance made a tough situation worse.
Looking Ahead: Fixing the Trenches
The Chiefs are now in unfamiliar territory - picking in the top 10 of the draft and needing to hit on both free agency and rookie additions. The offensive line, once a strength, is now a clear area of concern. Expect Kansas City to invest heavily there this offseason, both in free agency and the draft.
Because while Mahomes is still Mahomes, even he needs time to work. And if the Chiefs want to get back to being the team that everyone fears in January, it starts up front. The margin for error is smaller now, and the decisions made in the next few months will go a long way in determining whether 2025 was a blip - or the beginning of a new, more complicated chapter.