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The defense of the Kansas City Chiefs will be evaluated heavily based on how the defensive front performs this season.
The secondary will get more of a pass in getting through a learning curve after so much turnover in personnel this offseason, but the defensive line needs to turn it up a notch, and that starts with defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Chiefs position spotlight: Defensive line questions, concerns and battles | The Kansas City Star
Uncomfortable question: Is this Jones’ final season as a Chief?
With a three-peat at the forefront of their mind in 2024, the Chiefs gave Jones a five-year contract that included $95 million guaranteed. As mentioned, Jones was still productive in 2025, and the structure of the deal would have made a breakup untenable, anyway.
That changes after this season, according to Spotrac. A post-June 1 release or trade next offseason would save the Chiefs $28.35 million in 2027 cap space, with the club taking on $9.75 million in dead cap.
How the “Kansas City Spirit” Landed the FIFA World Cup | The Mothership
It’s something that, for just a short while, everybody stops to watch, and Kansas City – thanks to its undeniable spirit – is a part of it.
“We’ve hosted so many events – from AFC Championships to world-class concerts – but this is a new arrow in our quiver to say we hosted a World Cup,” Kenny said. “If we can do this, we can do anything.”
Kansas City has always been a special place. Norman Rockwell knew it, and now the world knows it, too.
Predicting Every NFL Team’s Biggest Bust of the 2026 NFL Season | Bleacher Report
Kansas City Chiefs: S Alohi Gilman
In four out of six seasons, Gilman has allowed a passer rating of 104 or higher. In all but one campaign, he’s missed 11 percent of his tackle attempts. If the coaching staff can’t rely on him in coverage or run support, expect a quick hook for a backup.
Gilman will receive $7.5 million of his $14.5 million in guaranteed money next year. So, Kansas City may carry him on the roster for at least two years regardless of his performance in 2026.
One area of potential improvement for Mahomes could come in the deep passing game. While his arm strength has never been in doubt, Mahomes’ deep balls have struggled a bit since the Chiefs traded away wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was a uniquely talented deep-ball catcher.
At times, Mahomes has missed a few deep shots. Other times, his receivers have let him down. In 2026, with an offense that appears to have high expectations for wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton, a rejuvenated deep passing game would benefit the Chiefs’ offense after struggling to create explosive plays in recent years.
Realistic Cole Kmet trade packages the Chiefs, Broncos and Panthers need to offer | FanSided
Kansas City Chiefs
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TE Cole Kmet and 2027 Fifth-Round PickChicago Bears
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2027 Third-Round PickChicago has reportedly been asking for a third-round pick in exchange for their 2020 second-rounder (No. 43 overall). It’s not a steep price, but it could take some convincing for a team like Kansas City that won’t want to take on his entire $7.75 million cap hit in 2026 and $15.425 million hit in 2027 but could afford it. That’s where general manager Ryan Poles may have to sweeten the pot with a late-round pick going the other way with Kmet.
Around the NFL
Report: Aaron Donald works out at Rams’ facility | Pro Football Talk
Days after retired Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald created a bit of a stir with a comment to an Instagram post regarding his potential return, Donald was back at the team’s facility.
Via TMZ, Donald was seen working out at the Rams’ practice facility on Friday.
Per the report, an “eyewitness” said Donald “spent about an hour on the field doing ladder drills, medicine ball throws, and agility work, pushing himself to the limit until he was clearly gassed.”
No GPS tracker for CB Terrion Arnold, can work out for NFL teams | ESPN
“He actually had a workout with the team, an NFL team, just yesterday. So he was in their facility, they paid for him to fly in, he did a physical, which shows you how serious these teams are about him,” Lynn told the court. “With an ankle monitor, it would be extremely difficult and maybe even impossible for him to get a job.”
She also testified that there is “a very good likelihood” that Arnold will get signed within the next 45 days but cautioned that she is not a “fortune teller.”
Carr on NFL future: Teams reached out, but need ‘special situation’ to unretire | NFL.com
“I’ll never say never. It would take a special situation,” Carr said. “There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason, and I won’t say who or how, but they reached out. Just gave them my interest on what I wanted to do and all those things. They were good, solid football teams, but a couple of them in some different situations.”
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
The Chiefs’ offensive line is strangely underrated
You read that right. At least three national publications have ranked the Chiefs’ offensive line among the bottom 10 in the NFL heading into the 2026 campaign: ESPN (Mike Clay), Sharp Football Analysis and Fantasy Points.
I have a tough time comprehending such a ranking. Josh Simmons just put together an impressive rookie campaign. Smith is viewed as a top-10 guard in the game. Humphrey is probably the best center in the league. Kingsley Suamataia took a massive step forward last year after his move to guard.
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