The Kansas City Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week, a stunning outcome for a franchise that had become accustomed to deep January runs and Super Bowl expectations.
It marked the first time since 2014 that Kansas City will not be part of the postseason, ending a decade-long streak and closing the door on a season that never aligned with the standards of a three-time defending AFC champion. While the disappointment is undeniable, there is a practical upside to the Chiefs‘ early exit: the ability to shift focus toward development and preparation for the 2026 season.
With three games remaining, Kansas City now has a rare opportunity to evaluate younger players and fringe contributors in real game situations. These weeks may not carry playoff implications, but they can still shape the roster’s future. There is recent evidence that this approach can pay dividends.
There’s a couple of great examples
Last season, Kingsley Suamataia made his first professional start at guard in a Week 18 game against Denver that had little meaning in the standings. He performed well, gained confidence at a new position, and carried that momentum into the offseason. One year later, Suamataia has logged more than 900 snaps at left guard and established himself as a key piece of the offensive line.
A similar path could unfold for several players over the final stretch of this season. On defense, defensive end Ashton Gillotte has emerged as a notable development story. He is coming off the two best games of his young career, recording a career-high five pressures against Houston before adding an interception and a sack against Los Angeles. His progress as a pass rusher and playmaker will be closely watched as the Chiefs look toward next season.
In the secondary, cornerbacks Nohl Williams and Kevin Knowles are also gaining valuable experience. Williams has played at least 60 defensive snaps in back-to-back games, while Knowles, primarily a special teams contributor until recently, logged 29 defensive snaps on Sunday. Knowles made the most of that opportunity, breaking up a third-down pass late in the game. Both players are potential contributors in 2026, and the additional reps could accelerate their development.
Kansas City has a lot of evaluation to do
Offensively, the Chiefs are in a similar evaluation mode. Offensive tackle Esa Pole has impressed since making the first regular-season appearance of his career against Houston. Over the past two weeks, Pole has allowed just seven pressures across 85 pass-blocking snaps, a promising sign as Kansas City assesses its options along the offensive line heading into the offseason.
Wide receiver Jalen Royals is another player who could benefit from an expanded role. A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Royals has played just 35 snaps this season after dealing with injuries earlier in the year. With the Chiefs out of playoff contention, the remaining games offer an opportunity to see what he can provide at the NFL level.
Kansas City will continue to play to win, beginning Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, but circumstances will force adjustments. Several key players are expected to be unavailable, including Leo Chenal, Trent McDuffie, Jaylon Moore, Rashee Rice, Jawaan Taylor, Tyquan Thornton and Derrick Nnadi. One positive development is the expected return of offensive guard Trey Smith, who appears ready to play after missing three games with an ankle injury.
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