Why Patriots’ Roster Construction Puts Pressure on Chiefs

New England broke from the norm a year ago, and other teams could follow.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shakes hands with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel after defeating the Titans 35 to 24 in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Mo. | George Walker IV / Tennessean.com, Nashville Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Mack Hollins got off the bus barefoot last Sunday, then hauled in a back-breaking catch in a snowy third quarter of the AFC championship game to help New England beat Denver and return to the Super Bowl.

The Patriots’ wide receiver is one of a dozen New England starters in next Sunday’s Super Bowl who joined the team through the free-agent route. Hollins signed a two-year, $8.4 million contact in March, part of the team’s record $282 million free-agent spending spree prior to its Super Bowl run.

Jan 25, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) practices before the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Break from the norm

The fact that a team can reach the Super Bowl after tapping the free-agency market for half its starters is a break from recent NFL history. Most successful teams, including the Chiefs, have reached Super Bowls primarily by building through the draft and using free agency wisely to fill holes.

Kansas City’s starters in 2025, for context, consisted primarily of players the Chiefs drafted. On offense, the only starters signed as free agents were wide receiver Hollywood Brown, right tackle Jawaan Taylor. On defense, linebacker Drue Tranquill was really the only primary starter who didn’t join the Chiefs in the draft.

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) cheers during a time out during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

New England's winning template could inspire Chiefs' division rival

New England got to the Super Bowl by combining a young starting quarterback and head coach in his first year with the team, and shopping for free agents like a grandmother on Black Friday.

The Tennessee Titans are in a strikingly similar position entering the offseason, having just hired Robert Saleh as head coach, stewarding second-year quarterback Cam Ward and preparing to shop for free agents with a league-high $100 million in cap space.

Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NFL player Tom Brady on the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Kansas City should be leery of another team in a similar spot, Las Vegas. The Raiders, according to Over the Cap, have the league’s second-most cap space at $89 million.

And along with their to-be-determined head coach (potentially from the sideline opposite New England in the Super Bowl, Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak) and a No. 1-overall selection (likely Fernando Mendoza), the Raiders could be a problem in 2026.

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (91) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For the Chiefs, New England’s roster construction and ensuing success is even more reason to hit on offseason decisions. The Chiefs are in the league’s worst salary-cap situation entering the offseason, so how they become compliant is critical.

To get there, the Chiefs will need to restructure veteran contracts and release veteran starters, perhaps Taylor, Mike Danna and others.

And because that cap situation is expected to keep them from spending in free agency, the Chiefs must win their draft. With the ninth-overall choice, two of the top 40 selections and three of the top 74, Kansas City can’t afford to miss.

Chiefs Kingdom, the draft is in Pittsburgh this year. But you don’t have to travel to the Steel City because you’ve found your No. 1 selection, right here with OnSI. And, don’t forget to register for our FREE newsletter with the latest information sent every morning … SIGN UP HERE NOW.