The Kansas City Chiefs are 0-2 through two preseason games to start the 2026 NFL season.

While the team hasn’t had its full complement of players because of injuries and other circumstances, it has learned a lot about its roster and depth. One more preseason game remains on Friday, Aug. 28 against the Seattle Seahawks. That shouldn’t stop Brett Veach from targeting new players via trade or the waiver wire as the team plots a course ahead of 53-man roster cuts.

Here’s a look at several position groups that could be upgraded come Aug. 31.

Offensive line

It was clear and apparent that the Kansas City Chiefs did not have their full group of starters in either of the first two preseason games. In the first game, Trey Smith was absent. In the second game, both Josh Simmons and Smith were absent. The problem is that the two offensive tackles playing in place of Simmons, Jaylon Moore and Kahlil Benson, had a rough go in the most recent game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s only one game, but they surrendered multiple pressures (3 combined, including a sack) and were generally under siege while they were on the field. It made things tough for both backup quarterbacks, Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier.

Things weren’t much better when players like Esa Pole, Ethan Driskell, and Chu Godrick got into the game. Generally speaking, this feels like a situation not too dissimilar from a season ago. The Chiefs’ starting offensive line was very capable, but a couple of injuries quickly changed that. They don’t have the depth to sustain those injuries, and that’s not just an issue at tackle. It’s also an issue on the offensive interior.

Mike Caliendo was placed into the starting lineup once again. It’s a bit head-scratching that, after so many seasons, Kansas City hasn’t been able to find an upgrade at that No. 4 interior offensive line spot. You’d like to hope they’ve seen enough from Benson at right guard to decide that was potentially his best spot given the injuries they currently have. Perhaps a third-year player like Hunter Nourzad or C.J. Hanson is ready to take a step forward. UDFAs like Josh Thompson and Pete Nygra don’t seem to be pushing for offensive interior playing time.

It feels like the Chiefs really need a player who can handle both an offensive tackle spot and an interior spot. Ideally, you find that swing right-side offensive lineman who could play both right tackle and right guard. That would be a helpful addition to this team right now. Unfortunately, the NFL is desperate for offensive line help all around. It’ll be difficult to find any sort of upgrade to players like Benson, Moore, and Pole. The reality is Kansas City might just have to develop the guys they have and roll with the punches. It’s not exactly optimal when you have an all-world quarterback coming off a serious knee injury.

Linebacker

The Kansas City Chiefs did little to reinforce their linebacker group this offseason. They signed Kam Arnold to a reserve futures contract and signed Wesley Bissainthe in undrafted free agency. There seemed to be hope that Ethan Downs could play a hybrid linebacker-defensive end role and fill in for Leo Chenal, who left to join the Washington Commanders in free agency. Downs, of course, was the first player to land on season-ending injured reserve for Kansas City this offseason.

The team has what I think is a relatively capable starting trio in Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and either Cooper McDonald or Jeffrey Bassa. The depth behind those four players is seriously lacking, though. Jack Cochrane is currently dealing with a knee injury, and Tranquill has had back spasms keeping him out of the lineup. This position group does not feel deep. Under other circumstances, I don’t know that I would keep more than four of these players on the 53-man roster.

Kansas City recently brought back Cam Jones because he can slot in quickly, knows the system, and is already working with the second-team defense without needing to get up to speed. I do think they could use a more substantial addition here, though. They lack a long-term investment outside of Bassa. Whether it’s finding an undrafted free agent who gets waived during 53-man roster cuts or some sort of player swap to get the Chiefs a developmental linebacker, this should be on their radar.

Edge rusher

After preseason Week 2, I’m not sure how high on the priority list the edge rusher position will be for Veach. Ashton Gilotte suffered a torn plantar fascia, which sounds bad but might not keep him out too long. He might not even miss any time during the regular season. That type of injury would be a bit more concerning if it weren’t for the fact that both Felix Anudike-Uzomah and R Mason Thomas look to be solid players behind George Karlaftis and Gilotte.

The team also recently signed Emmanuel Ogbah, who still seems to be getting into football shape and getting back into the swing of things in Kansas City. Then there’s Tyreke Smith, who suffered a hamstring injury in preseason Week 2 against the Bucs, and Ethan Hurkett. Both Smith and Hurkett had some standout play against Tampa Bay on Saturday. It’s enough to make you think they can potentially land on the practice squad and continue to develop behind the group of pass rushers the Chiefs currently have at the edge rusher position.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to find another piece here who could potentially help the team.

Wide receiver

Chiefs Kingdom is adamant the team needs to add at wide receiver, but I’m not sure I agree. At least outside of a situation or addition you can’t refuse. Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice haven’t played a whole lot so far this preseason due to injury. The depth here, though, is just really good for the Chiefs right now.

Tyquan Thornton has made strides. Cyrus Allen has been an obvious standout. Jalen Royals seems to have settled into his role after two preseason games. He looks like an heir apparent for a player like Rice. Nikko Remigio has actually had a quietly solid training camp and preseason as a receiver, not just a return specialist. Andrew Armstrong has made as strong a case as anyone that he deserves to be on the 53-man roster. With that in mind, you have seven players potentially making it, and all of them have the potential to make contributions.

The current group of receivers will get another shot to play together and be what the team has expected from several of them. Rice, Worthy, and Thornton will be the primary guys. Maybe Allen gets into that mix as well. I do think if they run into injury struggles during the regular season, Kansas City has a backup plan in its back pocket. That is signing former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill whenever he is ready to return to football. His agent’s latest comments suggest a post-trade-deadline return is likely.

“I am not pressuring Tyreek (Hill), nor am I setting a timeline for him,” Rosenhaus said. “I think that what I have said to Tyreek is, ‘Take your time. It’s not when you come back; it’s how you come back. We want you to come back when you feel your best.’ There’s no sense of urgency, timing-wise. I think this is a future Hall of Famer who still has a lot of good football left in him. This was a devastating injury, but everyone’s going to be so impressed when they see how well Tyreek has rehabbed. It’s not hyperbole for me to predict that he will play this season. When? I’m not sure, but I do think when he does sign, he will be a coveted player. He’ll be the kind of guy that will impact the playoff race, and will certainly be successful once he signs.”

Tight end

I do think the Kansas City Chiefs face questions about the depth behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray right now. Jared Wiley is a player the team thinks highly of, but he’s coming off perhaps the worst single game of his career as a professional. That game won’t help him make the roster. Behind him is Jake Briningstool, a talented pass catcher. And behind that you have Tre Watson, whose best skill seems to be both run and pass blocking.

What’s the problem with the trio the Chiefs have behind Gray and Kelce? Each seems to have one piece of the game they’re good at, but none are true jacks of all trades. They need a strong in-line run blocker, a pass blocker, and someone who also offers something as a receiver. Outside of Kelce and Gray, the Chiefs really don’t have that. And honestly, saying Gray is that is also a bit of a stretch after his performance last season.

If Kansas City does have an opportunity to pick up a tight end from a team with a surplus, I think that’s something Veach should look into. It might even be more impactful than adding a receiver. That could have a bigger impact for this team, not just in the interim but long-term.