After a Rare Miss, the Chiefs Face a Pivotal Offseason: Cap Crunch, Offensive Holes, and a Search for Balance
For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs are watching the playoffs from home. That’s not just surprising-it’s seismic.
A team that’s become synonymous with January football stumbled out of the gate with an 0-2 start and never quite recovered. Mahomes’ late-season injury didn’t help, but the issues ran deeper than one player, even when that player is the most dynamic quarterback in the game.
The Chiefs' early exit has peeled back the curtain on some uncomfortable truths. For years, Kansas City has leaned heavily on Mahomes’ brilliance to cover up cracks elsewhere on the roster.
That formula finally broke down. The message is clear: Mahomes can’t carry this team alone anymore-not without a more balanced, complementary roster around him.
But here’s the kicker: the Chiefs are entering this offseason with the least cap space of any team in the league. That doesn’t mean they’re out of options, but it does mean the front office will have to get creative.
Restructures, cuts, and cap gymnastics will be necessary just to get into the free agent conversation. And even then, they’ll be shopping in a more limited aisle than usual.
Still, there are a few intriguing names who fit both the budget and the needs.
The Run Game: A Missing Piece
Let’s start with the ground game-or lack thereof. Kansas City has never been a run-first team, and with Mahomes under center, that’s perfectly reasonable.
But even in a pass-heavy scheme, you need a reliable rushing attack to keep defenses honest. That just wasn’t there last season.
The Chiefs’ running backs struggled to find consistent yardage. At one point, Mahomes himself was leading the team in rushing yards off scrambles.
That’s not sustainable-or ideal. The offense became one-dimensional, and defenses adjusted accordingly.
Without a credible threat on the ground, the Chiefs’ passing game lost much of its bite.
Enter Rachaad White as a potential fix. While he’s taken a backseat in recent years due to the emergence of Bucky Irving, White’s 2023 campaign showed what he’s capable of.
He nearly hit the 1,000-yard mark that season and has quietly been one of the more efficient backs when given touches. Even more importantly for Kansas City, White brings value as a pass-catcher-something that fits perfectly into Andy Reid’s system.
He’s not a superstar, but he’s the kind of versatile, cost-effective back who could bring much-needed balance to this offense.
Bolstering the Pass Rush
Defense wasn’t the Chiefs’ biggest problem last season, but there’s always room to improve-especially when you’re trying to keep pace with the AFC’s elite offenses. One name that could help? Joseph Ossai.
Chiefs fans know Ossai all too well. Back in the 2023 AFC Championship Game, his late hit on Mahomes gifted Kansas City the yardage they needed to kick the game-winning field goal. That play made him an unlikely hero in Kansas City lore-albeit unintentionally.
Since then, Ossai has quietly developed into a solid pass rusher in Cincinnati. While the Bengals’ defense as a whole has struggled, Ossai has been a bright spot. Ten sacks over the last two seasons and a consistent ability to pressure quarterbacks have made him one of the few dependable pieces on that unit.
Now imagine him lining up next to Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. That’s a scary proposition for opposing offensive lines. With the right rotational role and the benefit of playing alongside elite talent, Ossai could thrive in Kansas City-and maybe finally earn that “Chiefs hero” label for real.
Life After Kelce?
The tight end position has long been a strength in Kansas City. From Tony Gonzalez to Travis Kelce, the Chiefs have always had a go-to guy at the position. But with Kelce openly contemplating retirement, the franchise is staring down a major transition.
Even if Kelce returns for one more run, the Chiefs need to start thinking about life after No. 87. Noah Gray didn’t quite seize the opportunity in 2025, and the depth behind him doesn’t inspire much confidence.
That’s where Cade Otton comes in. The Buccaneers tight end has quietly put together a productive career, becoming a favorite target for Baker Mayfield.
He’s racked up over 1,600 receiving yards and proved he can handle a bigger role when injuries decimated Tampa Bay’s wide receiver corps. Otton’s not going to replace Kelce-no one can-but he’s a dependable, affordable option who could help bridge the gap.
The Road Ahead
This offseason is going to test the Chiefs' front office in ways it hasn’t been tested in years. The margin for error is razor-thin, the cap is tight, and the roster has real holes.
But the core is still there. Mahomes is still Mahomes.
Andy Reid is still one of the best minds in football. And the expectations?
They haven’t changed.
To get back to where they belong, the Chiefs need to get smarter, leaner, and more balanced. That means finding value in free agency, developing young talent, and no longer relying on Mahomes to be a weekly miracle worker.
The dynasty isn’t over. But the next chapter is going to look a little different.