The Kansas City Chiefs' 2026 offseason will be defined by change. For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the franchise not only fell short of the AFC Championship but also missed the playoffs altogether. Add in the fact that Mahomes will spend the offseason rehabbing an ACL tear, and there is every reason for a collective sense of urgency and willingness to part ways with once reliable and key pieces.
With this in mind, Chiefs fans should prepare themselves for meaningful changes, and there's no better time to do that than in the New Year. With that in mind, here's a look at three players who won't be returning to Kansas City after the calendar flips to 2026.
1. Travis Kelce, TE
Already, Travis Kelce has more receiving yards (839) and touchdowns (five) than a season ago when the games actually mattered. However, there is no denying that everything about the tight end's season has made it clear that this is it for his career. Kelce seems content to walk away and pursue life after football, as he has his podcast with brother Jason, as well as his relationship with Taylor Swift, to lean on. It is hard to blame the legendary pass-catcher who has won three Super Bowls with the franchise and given the fan base everything if he wants to hang up his cleats.
Kelce will walk away with a clear case as the best to play the position. As much as the fan base loves the energy and leadership of the star, it is fair to wonder if this isn't for the better. Perhaps losing Kelce will force the front office to adopt a sense of urgency to better support Mahomes after this season proved that No. 87 is the only reliable playmaker the Chiefs have.
It is easy to argue that if this had been done a bit sooner and Kelce had been able to take a step back into a lesser role, perhaps the door for a return would be ajar. Instead, fans are coming to terms with saying goodbye to one of the best tight ends that the sport has ever seen.
2. Isiah Pacheco, RB
If there is one position at the top of Kansas City's offseason target list, it is finding a capable running back. Isiah Pacheco is slated to hit free agency, and the two sides should have zero interest in a reunion. By the end of the 2025 season, it was clear that whatever was left in the tank for Kareem Hunt offered K.C. a more reliable attack than Pacheco. The once-promising rusher doesn't offer any big-play ability and was caught at the line of scrimmage far too often.
The Chiefs need to take pressure off Mahomes, coming back from the first serious injury of his career. Pacheco clearly doesn't offer this skillset, leaving no reason for a reunion. This is aided by the pending free agency, which makes the break a bit easier for both sides.
For Pacheco, a fresh start is needed as well after back-to-back seasons of averaging well under 4.0 yards per carry. The Chiefs need a reliable option, and it is beyond clear that it isn't going to be Pacheco.
3. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Bringing back JuJu Smith-Schuster as veteran depth made sense when the Chiefs were counting on great seasons from Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. Instead, both young receivers underwhelmed, and Smith-Schuster found his way onto the field far more often than expected. The reps exposed the pass-catcher's lack of speed and an inability to get open, as he enters Week 18 with only 332 receiving yards and a touchdown on 31 catches in 16 games.
This has been a common problem for Chiefs receivers, and it must change in an offseason that demands a better support system for Mahomes be installed. With this in mind, it is obvious that Smith-Schuster cannot be brought back, and he shouldn't be the only meaningful change at the position. Rice, Worthy, and Jalen Royals are the only WRs under contract in 2026, giving Kansas City the perfect opportunity to revamp the depth chart with more reliable options.
Smith-Schuster has had great moments for the franchise and deserves respect for winning a Super Bowl with the franchise. At the same time, it is clear that his best days are behind him, and the Chiefs shouldn't hesitate to part ways this offseason.