Bryan Cook’s Breakout Year Could Price Him Out of Kansas City
The Kansas City Chiefs have developed a reputation under this regime for keeping things fluid at the safety position. Whether it's homegrown talent finishing out rookie deals or veteran additions brought in on short-term contracts, the organization has rarely shown a willingness to invest long-term at the back end of the defense.
Now, Bryan Cook is the latest safety to reach that crossroads. After wrapping up his rookie contract in 2025, Cook is set to hit free agency for the first time - and he’s doing so at the perfect time. He’s healthy, productive, and playing some of the best football of his young career.
A Contract Year That Turned Heads
Let’s start with the numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, Cook posted 64 solo tackles, 17 stops, and six pass breakups in 2025, while missing just five tackles all season.
That kind of reliability - especially in the open field - is gold for NFL defenses. His 83.2 coverage grade ranked sixth among all safeties, and his overall grade of 83.5 was fourth-best at the position.
That’s elite company.
But Cook’s impact went beyond the stat sheet. He started every game for the second straight year, a major milestone considering the lower-body injury that ended his 2023 season. In 2025, he not only bounced back - he leveled up.
Cook was a steadying presence on a Chiefs defense that had its share of ups and downs. He was often the last line of defense, cleaning up plays before they turned into chunk gains. Whether it was coming downhill to stop the run or closing fast on a receiver at the catch point, Cook’s instincts and timing were consistently on display.
And then there’s the trust factor. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo leaned on Cook as a communicator in the secondary, a role that doesn’t always get the spotlight but speaks volumes about a player’s football IQ and leadership. When Spags trusts you to make checks and get others lined up, that’s no small thing.
A Strong Market for a Rising Safety
With free agency looming, Cook enters a market that could be surprisingly active at the safety position. Several teams - including the Steelers, Bears, Jets, Bengals, and Eagles - have multiple safeties set to hit the open market. That kind of turnover creates opportunity, and Cook is positioned to capitalize.
Spotrac projects his next contract to come in around $14.2 million per year - a top-tier figure for a safety in this free-agent class. That number alone could push him out of Kansas City’s price range, especially with the Chiefs needing to allocate resources to other areas of the roster.
And let’s be honest: Cook’s résumé is going to look pretty appealing to teams with cap space and a need for a tone-setter on defense. He’s durable, productive, and still ascending. He’s also coming from a winning culture, which always adds value in the eyes of front offices.
Could This Be the End of the Road in KC?
The Chiefs face a tough decision here. Cook was part of that loaded 2022 draft class that helped deliver immediate results, and there’s no doubt he’s earned a second contract - the question is whether it’ll come in Kansas City.
Given the team’s history at safety and the projected size of Cook’s next deal, it’s fair to wonder if this is the end of the line. The Chiefs have consistently opted for flexibility at the position, and with other roster priorities looming, they may not be able to match what Cook commands on the open market.
Still, there’s likely mutual respect between player and team. Cook has been a key part of a defense that’s helped Kansas City maintain its championship standard. But this feels like one of those classic NFL situations where a player’s value has simply outgrown his current team’s financial reality.
Wherever Cook lands, he’ll bring a proven track record, physicality, and leadership to a defense in need of stability. And with multiple teams sitting on significant cap space and looking to rebound defensively, don’t be surprised if a bidding war breaks out for one of the most dependable safeties in the 2026 class.