The Kansas City Chiefs have no shortage of lost production following the 2025 season, with the team turning the page on a number of veteran pieces. It is unquestionably for the better, as Kansas City's offense often looked slow, predictable, and appeared to be a stale version of the teams we've watched in seasons past. While it's good that the Chiefs finally got rid of multiple veterans, they leave behind hundreds of yards up for grabs.
One area of obvious concern is the receiver position, where two notable names left the franchise and moved to new teams. Starting with a veteran who led all Chiefs wide receivers in yards, but faded down the final stretch of the year.
Mass production is up for grabs for Chiefs playmakers in 2026 after offseason departures
1. Hollywood Brown- 74 Targets / 587 Scrimmage Yards / 5 TDs
Parting ways with Hollywood Brown was a wise decision, as the veteran clearly is not the guy he once was. The pass-catcher didn't make sense as a re-signing, and his targets are going to be put to better use elsewhere. If things go according to plan, it will be a combination of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy making up for the team's lack of veteran presence.
Both players are expected to shoulder a heavier load after the departure of Brown, with Rice being the obvious focal point of the offense, and Worthy hopefully taking a major third-year jump. With this in mind, there is little concern that the franchise made a mistake, as Brown's new one-year contract with the Eagles is less than what he signed for in both his seasons in KC.
2. Isiah Pacheco- 118 Carries /563 Scrimmage Yards / 2 TDs
The loss of Pacheco is disheartening as a once-beloved player left fans wondering what might have been. If the veteran hadn't dealt with injuries, including a broken leg that derailed his final two seasons, Pahceoc appeared on track to continue his starting role. Instead, Pacheco is now a backup option with the Detroit Lions and firmly in the rearview for the Chiefs. It is lost production that Kenneth Walker III can far surpass as the prized addition of the team's offseason.
With this in mind, the franchise isn't going to miss the rusher based on the obvious offseason upgrades. Pacheco gets a chance at a fresh start with a franchise noted for its creative offense and in need of a consistent second option after the loss of David Montgomery.
3. JuJu Smith-Schuster- 45 Targets / 345 Scrimmage Yards / 1 TD
This is the backup role that is a little less clear with Smith-Schuster with the New York Giants. Parting ways with the aging receiver was an obvious decision, as Smith-Schuster struggled to find consistent space and appeared a step slower when targeted. Still, there isn't a lot of clarity as to where the Chiefs are going to find this production from their current backups.
Jalen Royals and rookie Cyrus Allen are the obvious favorites despite neither player having the needed resume. This is a piece of why the position remains a concern, even if it was clearly the right decision to turn the page.
4. Kareem Hunt- 163 Carries / 754 Scrimmage Yards / 9 TDs
Hunt is going to be missed, but only when it comes to having a short-yardage weapon that can be leaned on for any situation. Hunt was elite at converting short-yardage chances, even if this did come with a level of frustration that Hunt was not capable of crafting explosive plays.
For the Chiefs, it is clear that again, Walker is replacing this production with rookie Emmett Johnson, and veteran Emari Demercado expected to take on contributing roles as well. The door is still open for a potential reunion, but only as a short-yardage weapon and depth piece.
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