Chiefs' free agency approach leads to potential AFC nightmare

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a good offseason to date, with the franchise making key additions at crucial spots.

Yes, key players have also left, but the Chiefs are armed with ample draft capital to address the defensive needs, and Kenneth Walker will help immensely in the run game.

The 2025 season was horrible for many reasons, and it forced the Chiefs to reset the roster, something they will complete over the coming months.

But for ESPN's Stephania Bell, the Chiefs are the most improved team after the first wave of free agency.

"The Chiefs. Sometimes, the rich get richer in the NFL, and Kansas City did just that after missing the postseason for the first time since 2014," Bell wrote. "The Chiefs lacked an explosive run game and addressed that with Walker.

"They retained a quarterback's best safety valve in tight end Travis Kelce, who could prove exceptional for newly signed quarterback Justin Fields while Mahomes works back from ACL surgery. And they signed defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to bolster the interior alongside Chris Jones. Cha-ching."

More: Did Chiefs make best free agency signing of the offseason?

Chiefs set for 2026 resurgence?

Well, that is what it feels like.

Armed with two first-round picks, along with getting Walker and defensive help in Tonga, the Chiefs are off to a fast start.

But all of it rests on Patrick Mahomes' recovery from his ACL injury. If he does come back and is ready for Week 1, the Chiefs are in a great spot.

However, if he returns in Week 6, that is a crucial stretch Justin Fields will have to navigate.

But you can't not like what the Chiefs have done, and the longer free agency goes, the more it feels like 2026 will be the year Kansas City returns to its spot atop the AFC pecking order.

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