Chiefs 2026 Free-Agency Roster Tracker: Latest Updates, Signings

Your one-stop shop for all the Kansas City Chiefs news during NFL's version of March Madness.

Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chad O’Shea, welcome back to Kansas City.

Over his first two months on the job, the new Chiefs wide receivers coach has had only six players on his student manifest: Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Jalen Royals, Jason Brownlee, Jimmy Holiday and Andrew Armstrong. Only two in that group, Worthy and Rice, had more than two receptions in2025. Worthy is returning from shoulder surgery and Rice’s immediate future is uncertain.

Dec 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals (11) against the Tennessee Titans during pre-game warmups at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

But O’Shea should get more pupils beginning this week, and the Chiefs’ position most in need of improvement will begin to improve. They’re also short in depth at running back, tackle, defensive end and the defensive secondary.

Updates

• April 8: Following the retirement of Kaleb McGary, former Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons.

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) drops back to pass as offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (74) gets ready to block during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

• April 3: The NFL rules there was insufficient evidence in its investigation of wide receiver Rashee Rice. Barring injury, the fourth-year veteran is expected to be available for a full season.

• April 2: According to Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs have agreed to terms with cornerback Kaiir Elam.

• March 20: Kansas City retains critical special-teams maven Jack Cochrane as an unrestricted free agent.

• March 19: The Eagles follow Hollywood Brown by signing another Chiefs unrestricted free agent, running back Dameon Pierce.

• March 17: Jerry Tillery played one year for Steve Spagnuolo in Kansas City. Now, he'll play for Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis, the Colts announced Tuesday. Tillery follows Derrick Nnadi from the Chiefs' defensive line to Indianapolis.

• March 17: Hollywood Brown has a new home, signing a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million, per Jordan Schultz.

• March 16: Brett Veach makes another trade, this time securing his backup quarterback. The Chiefs acquire Justin Fields from the Jets for a sixth-round selection in the 2027 draft. Kansas City will reportedly cover $3 million of the $10 million due to Fields in 2026.

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) scrambles with the ball during an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. | Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• March 14: Mike Caliendo is back. The guard entertained offers from other suitors but decided to re-sign with the Chiefs, Jeremy Fowler reports.

• March 12: Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill renegotiated the final year of his contract and creating $2.5 million in salary cap room for Kansas City. Tranquill is no longer a potential cap casulaty. He'll join former Notre Dame and Chargers teammate Alohi Gilman in a new-look Steve Spagnuolo defense.

Dec 29, 2018; Arlington, TX, United States; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Alohi Gilman (11) and linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) in the first half in the 2018 Cotton Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

• March 12: The Chiefs have added to their backfield. Per Jordan Schultz, Arizona running back Emari Demercado joins Kenneth Walker in a free-agent stable behind Patrick Mahomes. Demercado is a street free agent (not unrestricted) because the Cardinals didn't tender him at the qualifying amount. As a result, he will not count against the Chiefs in their quest for compensatory draft choices in 2027.

• March 12: Kansas City has agreed to terms with versatile cornerback Kader Kohou, per Jordan Schultz.

• March 11: Edge rusher Charles Omenihu is leaving to join Leo Chenal with the Washington Commanders. Per Adam Schefter, Omenihu has agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with a max value of $7 million.

• March 11: Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi is leaving Kansas City again, this time to sign as an unrestricted free agent with Indianapolis.

• March 11: Kansas City has tendered Matt Araiza as an exclusive-rights free agent, securing his return as the Chiefs' punter, according to Charles Goldman.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (14) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

• March 11: Tennessee is signing former Chiefs defensive end Malik Herring to a one-year deal, Jordan Schultz reports.

• March 10: Kansas City has re-signed Nikko Remigio, an exclusive-rights free agent. Remigio is the Chiefs' most important return man.

• March 10: Another painful loss for the Chiefs -- linebacker Leo Chenal will sign with the Washington Commanders on a three-year, $24.75 million deal, per Jordan Schultz.

• March 10: The Detroit Lions will sign Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, per Tom Pelissero.

• March 9: Ravens safety Alohi Gilman is coming to Kansas City at three years and $24.75 million, per Tom Pelissero. The Chiefs make their first big step toward replacing a secondary that lost three starters in the last week.

• March 9: Mike Garafolo reports a key re-signing -- Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is returning on a two-year deal with a maximum value of $14 million.

• March 9: The Chiefs lose a third cornerback from their 2022 draft class. Joshua Williams is joining former Kansas City assistant GM Mike Borgonzi in Tennessee and will sign a two-year deal, per Tom Pelissero.

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

• March 9: According to Adam Schefter, Travis Kelce will sign a one-year, $12 million deal. The contract has a maximum value of $15 million -- incentives to help the future Hall of Famer help the Chiefs in what could be his final NFL season.

• March 9: Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew will sign a one-year, $8.25 million deal to join the Arizona Cardinals. Minshew started one game after Mahomes' season-ending surgery, but injured his own knee on the third snap.

• March 9: Cincinnati agrees to terms with starting Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, according to insider Jeremy Fowler a three-year, $40.25 million deal. Cook, who played at the University of Cincinnati and nearby Mount Healthy High School, is a critical loss for Kansas City.

• March 9: Kansas City lands two-way big man Khyiris Tonga from the Patriots. The defensive tackle and part-time fullback will sign a three-year deal worth up to $21 million.

• March 9: The Chiefs' two starting cornerbacks in 2025 now will start for the Los Angeles Rams. First, the Chiefs dealt Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles on March 4. Then, the Rams finalized a deal with free-agent Jaylen Watson only 39 minutes into free agency. Watson's deal is three years and $51 million, per Adam Schefter.

• March 9: The Chiefs will have four combined Super Bowl MVP honors in their backfield, landingrunning back Kenneth Walker to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million. The first NFL RB off the board goes to the Chiefs.

• March 9: Despite a strange tweet from Dianna Russini on Sunday afternoon, the Travis Kelce situation resolved itself less than a half-hour before free agency begins. Ian Rapoport says Kelce is not only returning for Year No. 14; he's also returning to the Chiefs.

From Free Agency Frenzy: #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is expected back in Kansas City, as loyalty wins over money. pic.twitter.com/istQXrrWHR

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026

• March 7: Kansas City reportedly will not tender guard Mike Caliendo at the qualifying amount for restricted free agents, meaning he’ll hit the market this week.

• March 7: The Chiefs signs their most important impending free agent: Long snapper James Winchester. Without him and the chemistry he’s built with Harrison Butker and Matt Araiza, the Chiefs could easily find themselves with a similar 1-9 record in close games.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester (41) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

• March 4: Kansas City officially releases right tackle Jawaan Taylor. The move frees up $20 million in cap space and creates $7.39 million in dead money.

• March 2: The Chiefs re-sign linebacker Cole Christiansen.

Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws during early pregame warmups against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

• Feb. 23: Kansas City releases defensive end Mike Danna, creating nearly $9 million in cap space and $2.17 million in dead-cap charges.

• Feb. 18: Patrick Mahomes agrees to convert $44.05 million in base salary plus his $10.4 million roster bonus. The quarterback gets a new check in signing bonus and the Chiefs cut $43.56 million off their 2026 cap.

Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) lines up for the snap during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images | Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Salary-cap situation

For those who think the Trent McDuffie trade was a signal the Chiefs aren’t expecting to contend for a Super Bowl in 2026, think again. The most obvious evidence of their intentions to be buyers in free agency is the salary-cap room they’ve created since Seattle won the Super Bowl.

Kansas City entered the offseason nearly $57 million over the cap, by far the league’s worst situation. As of Sunday morning, they now rank in the league’s top half, 15th with $24.89 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. And that figure doesn’t include convertible dollars in the contracts of Chris Jones, Creed Humphrey, Nick Bolton and others.

So, yes, expect the Chiefs to be active in the wide-receiver market. And don’t be surprised to see a big-name running back join Patrick Mahomes in the backfield this week.

Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) on field against the Indianapolis Colts during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images