Kansas City Chiefs’ updated list of pending 2026 free agents at end of 2025 NFL season includes starters, role players, and more

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of players slated for free agency in 2026.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor

Jan 5, 2026 8:00 AM EST

The Kansas City Chiefs‘ 2025 NFL season didn’t go according to plan, but now they’ll turn their attention to the future and building through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Chiefs have many pending free agents in 2026, including several from Brett Veach’s signature 2022 NFL Draft class. Some players will receive contract extensions, while others will move on to new teams. Some veterans could even choose to retire from the NFL. With the Chiefs’ salary cap situation, the team won’t have the funds to keep everyone around, even after cuts, restructures, and extensions. They shouldn’t want to either, given the season’s results and the need for some new talent.

The NFL has several different types of free agents, so here’s a quick key to help you understand each of them.

Unrestricted free agents (UFAs): These are players who, if not re-signed by the start of the new league year in March, will be free to sign with any team upon the onset of the legal tampering period. The Chiefs have several players slated for unrestricted free agency this year, including many considered starters on offense and defense.

Restricted Free Agents (RFAs): These are players with three accrued seasons (three years with at least six regular-season games on the active roster, IR, or PUP list) and an expiring NFL contract. They are allowed to negotiate with other teams even if they’re offered an RFA contract tender. Those other teams can sign the player to an offer sheet, at which point the Chiefs would have the right to match the offer. If KC decides against matching the offer, depending on the tender type, they can receive draft compensation for the player.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs): These are players who have yet to accrue three seasons in the NFL. Unlike RFAs, clubs hold exclusive negotiating rights with ERFAs. If an ERFA is tendered a qualifying contract offer before free agency, that player cannot refuse that offer. That player can reach unrestricted free agency only if the team does not extend a qualifying offer.

Every Chiefs free agent heading into the 2026 NFL offseason

What about the Chiefs’ practice squad players?

The contracts of the Chiefs’ 12 practice squad players expire one week after their final regular-season game. After their contracts expire, practice squad players can sign reserve/future contracts with the team or decide to leave for other opportunities.