1 2026 Free Agent the Chiefs Have to Let Go

The Kansas City Chiefs are in dire need of financial flexibility. They can't afford to bring this player back.

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach is in quite a pickle. He has to find a way to take a team that just went 6-11 and turn them into legitimate Super Bowl contenders in one offseason. Anything short of that would be a failure. Why? Because this roster should have superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes back healthy next year, still in the midst of his prime.

Any season in which the Chiefs fail to contend with Mahomes at his peak is an abject disaster. So, while the pressure and expectations are daunting, Veach has the luxury of already having an MVP-caliber quarterback on the roster. He just has to find a way to improve just about everything else on the roster to bring KC back to title contention.

Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (5) reacts with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after a touchdown catch against the Detroit Lions during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs shouldn't bring back Marquise Brown

Brett Veach has more than just Patrick Mahomes working in his favor. Due to the Kansas City Chiefs' abysmal finish to the 2025 NFL season, they'll have some great draft capital at their disposal to try to improve this roster, including the ninth-overall pick. KC doesn't have its sixth- or seventh-rounders, but they do have an extra fifth in the arsenal.

With six picks in the first five rounds, the Chiefs should be able to add some impactful young talent on a budget. That last part is critical, considering Kansas City can't expect much help coming by way of free agency. Despite their poor showing in the 2025 NFL season, this was one of the most expensive rosters in the league. ESPN projects that KC will be more than $58 million over the 2026 salary cap.

2026 WR Free Agents:

George Pickens - Tag
Deebo Samuel - Likely Re-Signed
Jauan Jennings -💰💰💰
Alec Pierce - 💰💰💰
Rashid Shaheed
Wan'Dale Robinson
Romeo Doubs
Marquise Brown
Jalen Nailor
Christian Kirk

Jauan Jennings and Alec Pierce are going to get given a blank Cheque! pic.twitter.com/FXc79sh0Kt

— Rich - DynastyIsland 🏝 (@DynastyIsland) December 19, 2025

In terms of free agency for Veach and the Chiefs' brass, they can only think about who they can afford to let walk, rather than who they want to bring in. One player they'll almost certainly have to part ways with is Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Coming into the season, he was viewed as a luxury for this team, a cherry on top of a deep receiving corps featuring Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and rookie Jalen Royals.

He turned out to be a necessity for the Chiefs. Between Rice's suspension and Worthy's injury and disappointing campaign, Brown actually finished as the second-leading receiver for KC, with 587 yards, behind only Travis Kelce.

While he was a nice stabilizing force for this offense in their time of need, Kansas City simply can't afford to bring him back, with so many other pressing needs across the roster. Veach will have to replenish the wide receiver room in the draft or hope that Thornton or Royals can step up next year instead.

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