The Kansas City Chiefs had a nice trio of safeties in 2024 with Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, and Jaden Hicks.

Cook and Hicks will return on their rookie contracts next season, but Reid is slated to become a free agent. It is unknown if the Chiefs plan to re-sign Reid back, but using the franchise tag on him is very unlikely. 

Bringing back Reid would be a luxury more than a necessity, as Cook and Hicks would make a fine starting tandem. Kansas City also has several other needs throughout its roster to address. 

Regardless of whether Reid returns or not, if the Chiefs do bring in a free agent safety, it will likely be for depth. The NFL's free agent legal tampering period starts on March 10, with signings able to become official on March 12 – marking the beginning of the new league year.

 Let's take a look at some potential safety options for the Chiefs in 2025.

---

Jason Pinnock

Pinnock is a fringe starting caliber player, but if he has to take a reserve role he would be worth the Chiefs acquiring. He has been productive over the last two years, totaling 170 tackles with two interceptions and five sacks during that span.

Unfortunately, he surrendered a lot of deep passes last season, limiting him to being a box safety. However, that is a valuable role to have in Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system. Pinnock's ability to rush the passer is also enticing.

Darrick Forrest

Forrest started 16 games between 2022 and 2023, but injuries limited him. When he got healthy, it became apparent as time went on that he was a better fit in Washington Commanders former coach Ron Rivera's defense than current coach Dan Quinn's.

Forrest became delegated to a reserve role and was often a healthy scratch in 2024. However, he has shown that he can play well when in the right scheme. The Chiefs have a knack for developing defensive backs and could get Forrest back on track.

Mike Edwards

Edwards spent the 2023 season with the Chiefs and did a nice job as the team's No. 3 safety, recording 51 total tackles, five passes defensed, one interception, and one sack. He found tough luck in 2024, bouncing between the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Edwards ended up playing pretty well with the Bucs down the stretch and started two games for them. Despite not catching on with the Bills and Titans, he has proven that he can play well in Spagnuolo's defense and could bring some veteran leadership to a young Chiefs' safety room.

Marcus Maye

Once considered one of the best safeties in the league, injuries and off the field trouble have derailed Maye's career over the past few years. Despite that, he has still played solid ball when healthy.

He started four games between the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers last season, recording 42 total tackles and one interception. An ankle injury cost him the final four games of 2024. Maye should be healthy by the start of offseason activities and is once again looking for a fresh start. 

Chiefs free agent positional preview: Kansas City has a huge decision to make regarding LB Nick Bolton

It will have a big influence on their offseason.