The Kansas City Chiefs may have gone through one of their most complicated seasons in recent years, and when they tried to revive their chances of competing, they simply couldn’t pull it off, leading them to this point where they now have to plan their next steps carefully.
The team’s shortcomings make this NFL offseason particularly uncomfortable for Andy Reid‘s squad, which holds six picks in the upcoming NFL Draft and is feeling the pressure of being $54.5 million over the salary cap.
NFL free agency is not really an option, so they will need to be extremely smart in maximizing their 2026 NFL Draft opportunities. To start with, they own the No. 9 overall pick, meaning they have no control over what will still be available by that point.
The Las Vegas Raiders will almost certainly go after quarterback Fernando Mendoza, while the New York Jets are strongly linked to pass rusher Arvell Reese. From there, Kansas City will have to evaluate whatever is left on the board.
The move that could help the Chiefs make the best decision
The Chiefs defense is hoping certain teams take a specific direction so they can address their urgent need for a pass rusher, particularly when the New Orleans Saints are on the clock.
If the Saints decide to select Jeremiyah Love, it would actually relieve the Chiefs of a very difficult choice. There’s no doubt that the Notre Dame running back is the top option at his position, but if the NFL Draft prospect projected to shine in the league is no longer available, Kansas City Chiefs would pivot directly to a pass rusher.
At that stage, if David Bailey or Rueben Bain Jr. are still on the board at No. 9, the Chiefs should select one of them immediately without hesitation.
In short, the New Orleans Saints would be doing Kansas City Chiefs a huge favor if they eliminate the possibility of Jeremiyah Love landing in the Chiefs’ running back room.
Read the full article here
