Looking at the Kansas City Chiefs' 2026 offseason, there is no question that the biggest question and concern remains in the secondary. Parting ways with Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Bryan Cook created an undeniable void that the franchise has attempted to fill with a handful of bargain signings and draft selections expected to play an important role. Add in the presence of second-year corner Nohl Williams, and the team's starting lineup is looking far different as we head into the summer.
If the season started today, it would be fair to expect Williams and rookie Mansoor Delane to be the starting options on the outside. What the Chiefs are going to do at nickel is a bit less clear with free agent signing Kader Kohou as the early favorite. Safety looks different as well, with Alohi Gilman added in free agency and expected to fill a starting role.
Added on top of this are Kristian Fulton, Jadon Canady, and Kaiir Elam, who will all be fighting for starting or contributing roles. Kansas City's secondary has gone from a clear force to a young unit that remains a huge unknown heading into the 2026 season.
It isn't hyperbolic to say that the cornerback position appears poised to be the biggest swing in how the Chiefs start the 2026 season. What defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can get out of such a young unit that is learning to play together remains an obvious concern for KC.
Chiefs continue to have reason for concern around 2026 secondary
The biggest question marks for the unit are how Williams and Delane will adjust to their starting roles. Both players are being asked to step into a starring role for one of the league's featured teams and are going to have the highest degree of pressure they've faced in their young careers. Living up to this is far from easy and will put a spotlight on early results for the Chiefs.
Losing Cook also puts Kansas City's back end into question, with the safety wiping away so many mistakes and missteps in the 2025 season. The Chiefs no longer have a veteran presence that is going to help cover for young corners or be able to help erase mistakes so consistently.
For this young secondary to work, it is going to have to be a group effort that isn't reliant on star contributions, as the unit was a season ago. All of this adds up to fans having every reason for legitimate concern as to how the Chiefs are going to start the season when it comes to defending the pass. As much trust as there is in Spagnuolo, this is new territory, leaving Kansas City with every reason to wonder if the defensive reset was a mistake.
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