The Kansas City Chiefs enter the bye week with a 4-0 record. They’ll look to make a strong push during the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after an early bye week. With 13 weeks left in the regular season, plenty of football remains. Then comes the fun of the offseason, building for the 2027 NFL season through free agency and the draft.

The Chiefs have many pending free agents in 2027, including many from Brett Veach’s 2023 NFL Draft class. Some players will receive contract extensions, some will move on to other teams, and others could choose to retire from the NFL.

Even after cuts, restructures, and extensions, it’s apparent that the Chiefs will have to be selective. They won’t have the means to keep everybody around, especially if they want to make some improvements and changes.

Kansas City Chiefs’ 2027 free agents

Player / Pos.	Type	Age
EDGE Ethan Downs	ERFA	25
WR Jimmy Holiday	ERFA	26
WR Nikko Remigio	RFA	28
P Matt Araiza	RFA	27
CB Christian Roland-Wallace	RFA	26
LT Jaylon Moore	UFA	29
CB Kristian Fulton	UFA	29
LB Drue Tranquill	UFA	32
EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah	UFA	25
LS James Winchester	UFA	38
WR Rashee Rice	UFA	27
LB Jack Cochrane	UFA	28
OL Mike Caliendo	UFA	30
OL Joshua Ezeudu	UFA	28
CB L’Jarius Sneed	UFA	30
S Chamarri Conner	UFA	27
LB Ben VanSumeren	UFA	27
OL Matt Waletzko	UFA	28
TE Travis Kelce	Void	38
QB Justin Fields	Void	28

Explaining the different types of NFL free agents

UFA: If Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) are not re-signed by March, the beginning of the new league year, they are free to sign with any team at the start of free agency and legal tampering. The Chiefs have several players slated for unrestricted free agency this year, including many considered starters on offense and defense.

RFA: Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. They can negotiate with other teams even if they’re offered an RFA contract tender. Those teams can sign the RFA to an offer sheet, but the Chiefs would have the right to match it. If KC decides not to match the offer, they can receive draft compensation for the player, depending on the tender type.

ERFA: Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) are free agents who have not yet accrued three seasons in the NFL. Kansas City holds exclusive negotiating rights with its ERFAs. If an ERFA receives a qualifying contract offer before free agency, the player can’t refuse it. That player can reach unrestricted free agency only if the team does not give a qualifying offer.

Void: Players with “Void” in the free agent type column will have their contracts voided before the start of the new league year. Teams can renegotiate a deal before contracts void in order to prevent a player from reaching free agency. If a contract voids, players become Street Free Agents (SFAs). They will not count toward the compensatory pick formula.

What will Brett Veach do with the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 NFL Draft class?

One of the big questions about this crop of free agents surrounds the 2023 NFL Draft class. Ahead of the season, no players warranted a contract extension. Has that thinking changed through the first four weeks of the 2026 NFL season?

Rashee Rice is off to a great start statistically, but his issues have always extended beyond the football field. Has he proven enough to earn a second contract? He’s dealing with another injury, which could hurt his chances. Felix Anudike-Uzomah watched the team decline his fifth-year option, but he’s proven an impactful piece for Kansas City over four weeks. Will he earn a second deal with the club? With much of the season left, I think we’re still far from having answers.

Will either 2025 free agent signing stick beyond 2026?

Jaylon Moore and Kristian Fulton both signed two-year deals with Kansas City in the 2025 NFL offseason. Their first seasons with the Chiefs didn’t go great for either player. However, both are playing more prominent roles on offense and defense, respectively, in 2026.

Moore is the team’s starting right tackle through four weeks. It remains to be seen if that changes when Josh Simmons returns to the lineup. That said, he’s settled into being a quality starter for Kansas City. Is it worth replacing that consistent play on the O-Line after you’ve finally found it? Fulton has been a spot starter on defense this season. He filled in for Mansoor Delane in Week 1 and got the start in Week 2. The old NFL adage goes that you can never have too many cornerbacks. Could that mean Fulton is bound to return in 2027?

2 potential non-Travis Kelce retirements to watch for

Everyone knows the 2026 NFL season may be Travis Kelce’s last ride, but he’s off to a great start this year. Realistically, he may try to run it back for another season in 2027. Whatever he decides, two other potential retirements need to be on the radar.

LS James Winchester is the team’s second-longest-tenured player, with a dozen seasons under his belt. The 37-year-old is also the oldest player on the Kansas City roster. LB Drue Tranquill has played for eight NFL seasons. Although he’s only 31, Tranquill has dealt with a few injuries during his football career. If he can’t re-sign with the Chiefs, I could realistically see him hanging up his cleats. I could especially see that happening if K.C. makes another run at a Super Bowl this season. That said, he’s having a really strong start to the 2026 NFL season. If he keeps it up, he’ll probably garner interest on the free agent market.