Chiefs Shift Focus to 2026: Four Young Players to Watch in Kansas City’s Final Stretch
For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the final three weeks of the regular season with no playoff implications on the line. After being officially eliminated following a home loss to the Chargers, the Chiefs are now facing something unfamiliar - playing out the string in December.
But while the postseason is off the table, these next three games still matter. A lot, actually. They’re a chance to evaluate the future - to see what the team has in its young depth pieces, especially with several veterans headed for free agency and roster turnover looming in 2026.
Here are four players who could use this closing stretch to make a case for a bigger role next season.
LB Jeffrey Bassa: A Chance to Show What He Can Do on Defense
Jeffrey Bassa was a fifth-round pick this spring, and the Chiefs' front office was reportedly surprised he lasted that long. It’s not hard to see why - Bassa’s versatility and football IQ stood out during his time at Oregon, where he arrived as a hybrid defensive back and wide receiver before quickly transitioning to linebacker. That move paid off, and the Chiefs view him as a potential fit at WILL linebacker long-term.
So far, Bassa’s rookie season has been mostly about special teams. He’s been active on kick and punt coverage units, as well as returns, but has seen just 13 defensive snaps - nine of those coming in garbage time during the Week 7 blowout of the Raiders.
But now, with nothing to lose and everything to evaluate, the Chiefs have a golden opportunity to get a longer look at Bassa on defense. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can use these final games to see how Bassa handles real reps, real speed, and real responsibilities - especially with Leo Chenal’s contract expiring after the season.
If Bassa can flash some of that sideline-to-sideline range and processing speed that made him a draft-day sleeper, he could enter 2026 as a key piece in the linebacker rotation.
WR Jalen Royals: Time to Turn Camp Buzz Into On-Field Production
Jalen Royals came into the league with intrigue. Some scouts labeled him a Day 3 steal, and the Chiefs were thrilled to land him in the fourth round. But injuries have slowed his start - a foot issue ended his final season at Utah State early, and knee tendinitis kept him sidelined for the first three games of this year.
He finally made his debut in Week 4 against the Ravens, returning a kickoff for 30 yards. That remains his only touch of the season.
Royals has played in just four games, and none since Week 7. He’s logged 35 offensive snaps and 36 on special teams, but last week against the Chargers, he was the only active player who didn’t see the field.
That could - and should - change in the next three weeks.
The Chiefs’ wide receiver room is about to get a shakeup. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton are all set to hit free agency. That opens the door for someone like Royals, who earned praise from coaches and teammates during training camp, to make his case for a bigger role in 2026.
He’s got the speed, the size, and the route-running ability to be more than just a depth piece. Now it’s about proving it when the lights are on.
S Jaden Hicks: A Sophomore Season That Needs a Strong Finish
Jaden Hicks looked poised for a breakout after a solid rookie campaign. Instead, Year 2 has been a rollercoaster - and not the fun kind.
Over the past six games, Hicks has played more than 15 defensive snaps just once - and that was only because two safeties went down mid-game in Dallas. The Chiefs had hoped for more, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo didn’t mince words recently, saying Hicks has shown “flashes of good football,” but also made mistakes that “I wouldn’t have thought he would’ve made in his second season.”
That helps explain the dip in playing time. But it doesn’t mean the door is closed.
With Bryan Cook set to hit free agency and the team facing cap constraints, Kansas City could be looking to fill a starting safety spot from within. Hicks has the tools - size, physicality, and instincts - to be that guy. What he needs now is consistency and confidence.
The next three games offer a low-pressure, high-reward scenario for Hicks. If he can put together a few clean, impactful performances, he’ll put himself squarely in the mix for a bigger role next year.
RB Brashard Smith: A Swiss Army Knife in a Backfield That Needs Juice
The Chiefs saw something in Brashard Smith - enough to trade two seventh-round picks to move up and grab him at No. 228 overall. And it’s easy to see the appeal.
Smith was a second-team All-ACC wide receiver at Miami in 2023 before switching to running back at SMU, where he racked up over 1,300 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season. That kind of versatility is rare, and the Chiefs hoped he could be a dynamic change-of-pace option behind Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Elijah Mitchell.
So far, the results have been modest - but intriguing.
Smith has flashed in limited opportunities, including 14 carries in the blowout win over the Raiders. His season totals: 32 carries for 95 yards, 19 catches for 161 yards, and 15 kickoff returns for 405 yards. That’s not eye-popping, but it’s enough to wonder what he could do with a bigger sample size.
And let’s be honest - the Chiefs’ run game has been stuck in neutral for most of the season. Pacheco’s averaging 3.9 yards per carry, Hunt just 3.8 (though he’s been solid in short-yardage), and Mitchell hasn’t factored in.
Smith brings something different - a burst, a wiggle, and a receiver’s hands out of the backfield. With Kansas City out of the playoff hunt, there’s no better time to find out if he can be a spark plug for a backfield that needs one.
Final Thought: The Future Starts Now
This isn’t where the Chiefs expected to be in December - sitting outside the playoff picture, looking ahead instead of gearing up for another postseason run. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s the chance to evaluate the next wave of contributors.
Jeffrey Bassa, Jalen Royals, Jaden Hicks, and Brashard Smith all represent potential building blocks for 2026 and beyond. These next three games won’t change what happened this season, but they could go a long way in shaping what happens next.
And for a franchise that’s built on smart development and maximizing talent, that’s a mission worth taking seriously.