Every offseason is important for every team, but one that just lost a Super Bowl in very convincing fashion has more on its plate than others. Especially when you consider the Kansas City Chiefs‘ low level of salary cap space to make moves and their impending free agents, it makes for a bit of a dire situation for a team that has thoroughly dominated the AFC since 2018.
Their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX left the team with more questions than answers heading into free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. Thankfully, the Chiefs did get some good news on Tuesday, as it appears that Travis Kelce will most likely be back with the team next season. With that domino falling, the team can now come up with a comprehensive plan to increase their cap space and bring in more talent.
Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals make moves to keep their offenses intact
But just as the Chiefs got good news, they also saw two of their biggest AFC rivals make moves of their own. First, the Buffalo Bills handed Khalil Shakir a four-year contract extension.
Shakir had a breakout season in 2024 as the Bills’ leading receiver. He enjoyed some success in the games between Buffalo and Kansas City, catching eight passes for 70 yards in their regular season matchup and notching six receptions for 46 yards in the AFC Championship.
Seeing the Bills extend a key wide receivers might have set something off in another Chiefs rival, as the Cincinnati Bengals all but confirmed that elite pass-catchers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins won’t be going anywhere.
GM Duke Tobin was clear that they will “reward” Chase no matter what, so that seems like a lock. Higgins re-signing to a long-term deal is more of an “optimistic” thought, but the Bengals will likely franchise tag him once again if they can’t reach an extension.
With the Baltimore Ravens bringing back most of their core, too, the Chiefs could be in for a tough 2025 season in the AFC. The division won’t be easy, either. The AFC West will see likely improved Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos teams under veteran head coaches, while Pete Carroll is set to rejuvenate the Las Vegas Raiders.
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