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2026 NFL offseason: Veterans on the hot seat after the draft | ESPN
Chamarri Conner, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ penchant for developing defensive backs from outside the first round is well known (Juan Thornhill, Jaylen Watson, L’Jarius Sneed, Bryan Cook). They’ve tried to do the same in the slot over the past few seasons with Conner, a 2023 fourth-rounder out of Virginia Tech who became the starter in 2024 when Trent McDuffie bumped outside. But over the past two seasons, Conner has surrendered
0.11 EPA per target in the slot (11th worst among DBs with at least 50 slot targets) and a success rate of 53.8% — only 2025 rookie Jacob Parrish was worse.
Conner simply does not make enough plays at the catch point to play a permanent coverage role. Enter Jadon Canady. Like Conner, Canady is a fourth-round pick who spent time at safety in the college ranks. But his best play was in the slot, where he finished his career at Oregon. Canady had 19 passes defensed combined over his last two years and will — along with free agent signing Kader Kohou — immediately challenge for the slot job.
Conner might not lose snaps so much as he could end up displaced into more traditional safety alignments; the Chiefs already started to do that last season. But with incumbent youngster Jaden Hicks and free agent acquisition Alohi Gilman, safety is also a crowded room. Conner’s 1,021 snaps from last season are unlikely to be repeated.
GM Brett Veach keeps the door open to the Chiefs signing a free agent | The Kansas City Star
Could the Chiefs sign Hill, 32, to a free-agent deal? Or is another free agent on their radar?
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was asked about that possibility last week when he was on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show.”
Eighteen free agents were shown on the screen during the Veach interview, including Hill and fellow receivers Deebo Samuel, Keenan Allen and Stefon Diggs. Former Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was on the list, along with linebacker Kyle Van Noy, offensive lineman Taylor Decker and defensive end Cameron Jordan.
“Some of those players that you have listed there, I think I’ve spoken to some of those agents already,” Veach noted.
The Chiefs begin organized team activities later this month, which is phase two of the offseason. But free agents could be making a visit to Kansas City in the coming weeks.
There is no set timetable, but Veach does expect to be busy as the Chiefs decide whether to add a free agent. And he certainly seems open to signing a player.
“We’re going to go through probably phase two, but, I mean, we’ll start picking up the phone, reaching out to agents,” Veach said. “May have some visits here in the late spring, early summer, before training camp.
Chiefs’ front office earns positive feedback after the 2026 NFL Draft | Chiefs Wire
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters during last weekend’s rookie minicamp. He praised general manager Brett Veach and the entire front office for their selections in the 2026 NFL Draft and undrafted free agent additions.
“I think Brett’s (Veach) done a great job with that, along with those guys (player personnel staff). I think they’ve really made an effort to upgrade some spots – we did in free agency,” said Reid, “Three or four guys come in, and they’re quality players. Then you add the rookie class in, and there were some x’s that probably needed to be filled on the board, and I think he (General Manager Brett Veach) was able to fill those spots with quality players. Then, seeing them out here move around, you are always curious to see how that goes, but it looks like they’re (just like) what we saw on tape here, we’ll see when we get into pads and that, but they move around well.”
The Chiefs notably focused on the defense in the first four picks of the draft. Reid approves of the decision to fortify the defense after multiple starters departed at the start of the offseason.
“First of all, the majority of the holes there, but they were also good players we had a chance to put into position there,” said Reid, “I know how important defense is. I know I’ve got this offensive thing going, but defense is a majorly part of winning in this league.”
Kansas City Chiefs
Re-loaded roster
The Chiefs got aggressive following their first losing season since 2012. That should pay instant dividends while giving Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones another shot at a Super Bowl.
Kansas City emphatically addressed its running game by signing reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who was part of a free agent class that includes three other projected starters in defensive end Khyiris Tonga and defensive backs Alohi Gilman and Kader Kohou. The Chiefs added even more talent to their defense when they used their first three draft picks on that side of the ball. Mansoor Delane, the sixth overall pick in the draft, is expected to be an immediate starter in Kansas City’s secondary.
Which NFL Rookies, Teams Wish They Could Have a Do-Over in 2026 Draft? | Bleacher Report
QB Garrett Nussmeier, Kansas City Chiefs
The LSU quarterback was generally viewed as a first-round prospect entering his final collegiate season. Even after a shaky performance—which was later revealed to be hampered by a significant injury—he was still expected to be a Day 2 pick, particularly after a strong Senior Bowl showing.
Instead, the 24-year-old prospect nearly fell out of the draft altogether before the Chiefs snagged him in the seventh round, just eight picks before this year’s Mr. Irrelevant heard his name called.
Nussmeier was never supposed to be a late-round option.
Clearly, a medical factor played into the quarterback’s draft-weekend slide. He dealt with what was believed to be an oblique injury throughout the season, which limited his effectiveness, but turned out to be a cyst on his spine, as discovered by doctors at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Another red flag emerged throughout the process.
“Some of the feedback that I’ve gotten from teams, maybe he didn’t handle some of the interviews the best that he could have,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said. “I think part of it is a lack of accountability.”
Around the NFL
Free-agent QB Russell Wilson weighing contract offer from Jets, opportunity as TV analyst | NFL.com
The veteran quarterback told the New York Post on Wednesday that he received an offer from Gang Green following a recent visit. Wilson is also debating on playing this season or joining a television broadcast team.
“It was great,” Wilson said of the visit with the Jets. “They offered me, and I’m trying to figure out what the next best thing is for me to do. I still know I can play ball at a high level, but also I have an opportunity to do TV (analysis), so we’ll see what happens.”
The 37-year-old would be entering his 15th season.
Wilson spent 2025 with the New York Giants, starting three games and appearing in six others, putting up 831 yards and three touchdowns on 119 pass attempts, all career lows. Wilson started the first three games of the season before being replaced by rookie Jaxson Dart and was then leapfrogged on the depth chart by Jameis Winston.
Wilson joining the Jets would make an interesting dichotomy. He’d be backing up starter Geno Smith, who played behind Wilson for three seasons in Seattle.
NFL Insider shuts down Aaron Rodgers to Cardinals rumor | Yahoo! Sports
The Aaron Rodgers dream for Arizona Cardinals fans might be dead and buried. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport appeared on the Pat McAfee show and shot down the recent rumors between the two sides coming to an agreement. Rapoport stated that he doesn’t see any scenario of Rodgers signing with Arizona, with the most likely outcome is the 10-time Pro Bowler returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.
The 42-year-old not signing with the Cardinals might be a blessing in disguise. Bringing in a quarterback the age of Rodgers means the rest of the roster is figured out and its just missing a veteran under center. For a team that just went 3-14 last season, Arizona is far away from competing, especially in a competitive NFC West.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs’ Kenneth Walker prefers under-center runs, eyes revenge game
He talked about plenty of personal preferences, but one stood out: his favorite formation to run out of between under center and shotgun looks.
“I can do both,” Walker acknowledged to Adams. “But obviously, my favorite is under, I feel like I can see the field better and everything, but whatever system they want me in or situation they put me in, I feel like I can make a play in anything.”
Walker is also excited about being more involved in the passing game after catching just two touchdowns in four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He anticipated that bigger role by acknowledging the importance of the relationship with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“We’ve been working on getting connected in the pass game,” Walker shared. “I feel like I’ll be used more in the pass game. He’s real good at being detailed with the whole team… I feel our chemistry is just going to keep building.”
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