We're officially one month away from Chiefs training camp kicking off for the 16th straight year at Missouri Western State University in St. Joe. OTA's and mandatory minicamp finished up roughly a week ago as both players and coaches began acclimating with each other and the playbook. The 2026 season presents a unique challenge for the Chiefs to return as the premier power of the league, and an important stepping stone in doing so is putting together the best roster possible.
Brett Veach will have his work cut out for him again, as the influx of youth was one of the highest priorities since the 2025 campaign came to a close, and he will force him to mull decisions over on who to keep and who to cut over the coming weeks. As it stands right now, the Chiefs, like every other team in the league, are rostering 90 players, and will have to trim that down to a final 53-man roster, along with a 17-player practice squad.
And what's more fun than diving into KC Kingdom's first 2026 53-man roster prediction, before all the rumors and hype begin flying out of training camp:
Brett Veach and Andy Reid have some tough decisions to make with the Chiefs' 2026 roster
Quarterback (2) - Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields
Four of the last five years, the Chiefs have kept just two quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster, and there's no evidence that's going to change. Mahomes is far ahead anybody thought he would be in his ACL recovery and plans to start Week 1. While Fields has impressed coaches with both his style of play and level of mental acuity. Chris Oladokun and rookie Garrett Nussmeier will likely battle for the last QB spot on the practice squad.
Running Backs (4) - Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith
Walker is without a doubt going to be a driving force behind the Chiefs offense after signing a $40-plus million contract, while veteran Demercado is better than anybody KC had in last year's backfield with his versatility and speed. Fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson has no shortage of fans heading into training camp, and Brashard Smith looks to ink his name on the final roster with a good training camp, through a returning role on special teams.
Wide Receivers (6) - Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, Cyrus Allen
The Chiefs could very well keep seven receivers, but to do that, it would mean another quality player would be cut. Rice, Worthy, and Thornton, whether you like it or not, project to be Mahomes' starting trio on the outside. Jalen Royals enters his second season, hoping to actually see some playing time, where I think he could excel. Remigio will be this team's leading return man on both punt and kicks alongside Smith, while rookie Cyrus Allen's route-running abilities should not go unnoticed on cutdown day.
Tight End (3) - Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool
Kelce returns for his 14th NFL season and potentially his last, but is still savvy enough to work his way to 700-plus yards. Noah Gray is entering a pivotal season, where if he doesn't produce consistently, the Chiefs would save $5.5 million by cutting him next offseason. It was between Jared Wiley, Jake Briningstool, and John Michael-Gyllenborg for the last tight end spot. I went with Briningstool because I truly believe that the Chiefs just don't value blocking tight ends as much as the rest of the league does.
Offensive Tackle (4) - Josh Simmons, Jaylon Moore, Ethan Driskell, Esa Pole
Simmons is leaner, stronger, and ready to roll into his second year and protect Mahomes' blindside at potentially a Pro-Bowl level. Jaylon Moore knows how to play, and while his natural spot is at left tackle, Reid seems comfortable sliding him to the right side, which he played in spurts last year. Both Driskell and Pole have been in the Chiefs system for a couple of years as project tackles, and I think break through the ice this season to make the team.
Offensive Guard (3) - Trey Smith, Kingsley Suamataia, Mike Caliendo
Trey Smith is awesome, and he's proved so since he came into the league in 2021 as a sixth-round pick. There should be worry about him going into 2026. Suamataia failed at tackle in his first season, but a fresh start at left guard seemed to be all he needed to break out in a big way. Expectations are high for the former second-round selection. Veach bringing back Mike Caliendo for a fourth season with the team was a move many fans reacted to with disdain. But as a backup option with seasoned experience playing alongside most of the guys on the o-line, there are worse options.
Center (2) - Creed Humphrey, Hunter Nourzad
Like Smith, Creed Humphrey has been a stalwart on the inside since 2021. He's grown into the best center in the league, and if he can just fix his propensity to snap the ball too low, we might be congratulating him on winning the NFL's second-ever Protector of the Year award. Nourzad enters his third season since being drafted in 2024, and while we haven't been able to watch him in game action nearly at all because Humphrey has yet to miss a game in his career, he's the only other center that has a legitimate chance.
Defensive Tackle (4) - Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga, Omarr Norman-Lott, Peter Woods
Chris Jones' stats maybe haven't told the full story on how dominant he's been over the last couple of years, despite the lack of help on the inside. With perhaps the best unit of his career now built around his strengths, Jones could be in store for a fourth first-team All-Pro campaign. Big Khyiris Tonga was one of Veach's first free agency signings this year and is a marked improvement on the Chiefs' nose tackles of the past. Norman-Lott's rookie season ended early due to an ACL tear, but he seems to be close to 100% and made a difference when on the field. Woods was the Chiefs' second of two first-round-picks this year and could very well be seen as the Chris Jones heir apparent as a true pass-rushing three-tech from the inside.
Defensive End (4) - George Karlaftis, Ashton Gillotte, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, R Mason Thomas
Karalftis played through a broken hand last year and still produced six sacks and a career high in total tackles (48). A major bounce-back season should be in store. Gillotte got his feet wet last season and enters his second campaign ready to attack more snaps with better technique and a clear state of mind. FAU has largely been a disappointment since being drafted as a late first-rounder in 2023. The thought of him having to play 40-plus percent of snaps is a scary but undeniable one. R Mason Thomas has a lot of hype around him entering his first season as KC's second-round pick this year. His unique blend of speed, burst, and bend at the edge should be a welcome sight for Steve Spagnuolo.
Linebacker (6) - Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane, Jeffrey Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Wesley Bissainthe
Bolton has been and remains the captain of this defense. It's clear he lacks the athleticism needed when in coverage, but he's a tackling machine and sniffs more plays out than almost anybody in the league. Tranquill returns to KC on a reworked one-year deal that saw him take a pay cut. He also aims to have a better season than a year ago. Cochrane and Bassa will each have increased roles on the defense following the departure of Leo Chenal, while UDFA's Cooper McDonald and Wesley Bissainthe look to play a major part on special teams for coordinator Dave Toub.
Cornerback (7) - Kristian Fulton, Nohl Williams, Mansoor Delane, L'Jarius Sneed, Jadon Canady, Kader Kohou, Kevin Knowles
CB is a crowded room this year, with so many new faces and one old. Veteran Kristian Fulton is a solid player and hopes to gain the trust of the coaching staff this season, while Nohl Williams should be entrenched as a starting outside option going into training camp. The Chiefs' earliest draft pick since Mahomes in 2017 looks to not only replace Trent McDuffie but exceed the efforts of the now-LA Ram. L'Jarius Sneed is back home and should be a sounding board for the young guys in the room and still a playable backup option, provided his knees hold up. Canady, Kohou, and Knowles are all at different stages of their careers, but all three should play a role in 2026.
Safety (4) - Alohi Gilman, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Christian Roland-Wallace
Alohi Gilman was another early free agent signing this year by Veach and has so far been everything they've wanted in a guy who is very cerebral and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. He needs to be the leader of this young Chiefs secondary. Chamarri Conner, hopefully with all the faces at CB to man the slot, will play more of his natural position this year, where he's performed admirably in the past. Both Jaden Hicks and CRW virtually enter prove-it years. The talent is pretty evident to grow into potential starters, but how long can we believe that before it fades into wasted potential?
Special Teams (3) - K Harrison Butker, P Matt Araiza, LS James Winchester
These three are pretty cut and dry. Butker has been one of the Chiefs' most important players over so many big playoff moments. He seems to feel comfortable and confident heading into his age-31 season. Araiza performed well in his first year with one of the very few teams that gave him a chance. Kansas City has offered him another one-year opportunity to prove that he can control his booming leg. James Winchester has been this team's long-snapper since 2015 and will turn 37 before the season starts. The man remains one of the league's best long-snappers.
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