On Sunday, the (6-10) Kansas City Chiefs will end their season on the road against the (2-14) Las Vegas Raiders.
Here are the three biggest questions I’ll have as the game gets underway in Las Vegas.
1. Can the Chiefs design some plays for Jalen Royals?
There’s been plenty of frustration over the rookie wide receiver’s lack of use over the past two weeks — and it’s warranted. He hasn’t carved out a defined role, while the offense has continued to lean on veteran receivers. Royals has played only a handful of snaps — and when he’s been on the field, he’s largely
been assigned blocking duties.
It’s the season’s final game. Very little is at stake. With numerous players sitting out on both sides, this feels like a low-risk opportunity to get Royals some targets and begin building something for next season.
Even if Royals gets opportunities, they likely won’t be enough to solidify anything for 2026. Still, the reps matter. Live snaps against NFL speed can provide valuable film and help shape how he approaches his offseason as he works toward being more comfortable next year.
Royals’ quiet rookie season doesn’t close the door on his future. Day 3 receivers often take time to find their footing — especially on competitive teams. Even so, with the stakes as low as they are, this feels like an obvious chance to give him meaningful work.
2. Can Kristian Fulton solidify a role for the 2026 Chiefs?
When the Chiefs signed the former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback in free agency, we expected he would be one of the team’s starters. The vision was clear: move Trent McDuffie back inside as Fulton and Jaylen Watson handle outside duties. It made perfect sense — especially as Kansas City has leaned more heavily into Quarters coverage, which is well-suited to Fulton’s strengths.
Injuries derailed that plan. Fulton missed time in the offseason and battled availability throughout the year. When he did play early — including against the Chargers and Broncos — the results were discouraging, making the signing look like a miss and raising questions about his future with the team.
Over the past two games, however, Fulton has looked like a different player. He’s been around the ball consistently, showing the instincts and mirroring ability that made him intriguing in the first place. Despite being undersized, those traits have always been part of his profile — and now they’re showing up again.
The looming question is whether the Chiefs can trust his durability. Cutting Fulton in 2026 would save $5 million in cap space, though it would also leave $8 million in dead money. Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether that extra $5 million is worth paying for a player with his injury history. Another strong performance could go a long way toward settling that debate.
3. Can Chris Oladokun put together a strong week of film?
All things considered, the Chiefs’ third-string quarterback has held his own under difficult circumstances. While he hasn’t shown the arm strength to attack downfield consistently, he’s protected the football — and has demonstrated some mobility. His raw numbers have not been impressive — but for a practice squad quarterback, his performances have been respectable.
Unfortunately, last week’s matchup against the Denver Broncos didn’t help his cause. Facing one of the league’s top defenses on a short week made things very difficult for him. But on Sunday, the Chiefs are coming off a mini-bye — and will be facing a Raiders defense that has struggled badly without its star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
If there’s a week for Oladokun to stack quality tape, this is it. He may never project as a long-term backup due to his limitations as a passer, but there’s a realistic path for him to stick as a third quarterback. A strong showing on Sunday could be enough to earn more opportunities around the league.
