Predicting Where Chiefs Top Free Agents Sign

Kansas City's offseason will be one to watch.

Nov 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach arrives to the stadium prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs will have major changes to the roster this offseason, as the team is entering a potential retooling phase. After going 6-11 this past season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, the Chiefs need to look themselves in the mirror and acknowledge that they are not as good as they once were.

Several players are exiting or have already left their primes, multiple positions across the roster need to improve, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be coming off a torn ACL at some point next season.

Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second from right, stands on the sideline Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

In addition, Kansas City has multiple players hitting free agency this offseason, and while the team would love to retain a couple of those players, the Chiefs do not possess the cap flexibility to do so. Kansas City currently sits $54.7 million over the cap and needs to shed all of it before thinking about diving into the free agent market.

All that being said, here are predictions for where Kansas City's top free agents will land this offseason.

Jaylen Watson Signs with Commanders

Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) returns an interception against Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The 27-year-old cornerback is expected to sign a lucrative contract in free agency this offseason. According to PFF, Watson had his best season in 2025, and he has made steady improvements throughout his career.

• "Watson posted a career-high 74.9 PFF grade in 2025, a performance that should position him well in free agency. He has improved his PFF grade in every NFL season and limits mistakes, as his 5.8% missed tackle rate tied for ninth in the league this year."

Washington attempted to address the secondary by acquiring former New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in 2024. However, the agining defensive back battled injuries and poor performances on the field. With over $76 million in cap space and Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract, the Commanders can splurge a little bit this offseason.

Bryan Cook Signs with Bengals

Dec 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Cook has been a staple in Kansas City's secondary for the last four seasons, proving to be a bargained draft pick by General Manager Brett Veach. The 26-year-old safety is another player who had an underrated, yet impressive 2025 season, and according to PFF, that was the case.

• "Cook ranked fifth among safeties in PFF grade (83.5) in 2025, producing a career year as he heads toward free agency. A reliable tackler, he recorded missed tackle rates of just 5.6% in 2025 and 6.2% in 2024."

This landing spot makes a ton of sense since Cook spent his entire collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, the Bengals have $54 million in cap space, and should invest most, if not all of it, on the defensive side of the ball.

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