The Kansas City Chiefs face a steep climb as free agency looms next week. They’re itching to reload their roster, reclaim the NFL’s peak, and cement their status as the league’s top dog. That means tackling a growing to-do list—offensive line upgrades, wide receiver help, and deeper defensive line reserves.
They’ve already started paving the way for bigger plays. Trading Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears slashed cap weight, and franchise-tagging Trey Smith locked in a key piece. What’s the next move?
As they sift through their options, here are five Chiefs who should feel the heat—teetering on thin ice heading into free agency.
1.Joshua Williams, Cornerback
The Chiefs’ secondary remains a sore spot heading into the offseason. Trent McDuffie, nabbed 21st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, shines as a cornerstone—he notched two picks and eight pass breakups last season, landing as PFF’s third-ranked corner.
Beyond him, though, Kansas City’s backfield feels like a puzzle with missing pieces.
Last year, they cycled through corners—five guys logged at least 400 defensive snaps. That revolving door won’t cut it if they want consistency. To fix it, they’ll need to trim fat before adding muscle.
Dumping Joshua Williams would free up $3.4 million. He ranked 62nd among corners per PFF last season.
That savings matters for a team scraping to get under the cap. With McDuffie, Chamarri Conner, and Jaylen Watson still in tow, they’ve got enough depth to stomach the hit. Williams’ shaky play and the Chiefs’ cash crunch leave him squarely on thin ice as free agency looms.