Kansas City Chiefs are entering unfamiliar territory ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Once the standard-bearers of the AFC West, Chiefs now find themselves labeled among teams in “desperation mode” as roster uncertainty and salary cap constraints loom large.
Salary cap crunch and roster questions
Kansas City remains over the salary cap as the new league year approaches in March. Despite efforts to create flexibility, including a significant contract restructure by franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the team still faces a reported $3.2 million cap deficit.
Mahomes’ restructure freed up $43 million in cap space, but it has not fully resolved the financial strain. Chiefs are also staring at a wave of potential free-agent departures on both sides of the ball.
According to Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron:
“After a disappointing end to their nine-year run as AFC West champions, Kansas City Chiefs will aim to reload and make a run at the division again in 2026. The problem: an exodus of key players on both sides of the ball, and little cap space to retain them all.
Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook and Leo Chenal headline potential departures on defense, while Travis Kelce, Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquise Brown, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt face the same fate on offense. Patrick Mahomes already restructured his contract to open $43 million in cap space, yet the Chiefs still have a $3.2 million cap deficit. While other players could face contract restructures or be cap casualties, Chiefs are unlikely to be able to retain everyone, let alone sign a recently released former receiver (Tyreek Hill).
As far as assets go, Chiefs are in an unfamiliar and fortuitous situation, slated to make a pick in the top 10 for the first time since trading up to select Patrick Mahomes in 2017. The pick should net them another structural piece to the roster, but with numerous holes, the pressure is there to draft a strong rookie class. Luckily, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a solid track record for finding talent on draft day.””
A crucial draft ahead
Kansas City currently holds five selections in the 2026 NFL Draft and is projected to receive a compensatory fifth-round pick for the loss of defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton. While the total number of picks is modest, the silver lining is position — Kansas City Chiefs are slated to select in the top 10 for the first time since 2017.
That opportunity presents both promise and pressure. With multiple roster gaps to address following a 6–11 campaign, the 2026 draft could shape the franchise’s next chapter.
For a team accustomed to contending, landing on a “desperation” list is unfamiliar. How they respond in April may determine whether this is merely a reset — or the start of something far more concerning.