The Kansas City Chiefs know they need to make roster changes this offseason to improve their chances of returning to the postseason in 2026. Free agency, the NFL draft, and trades will give this team multiple chances to add more talent to the roster.
Considering Kansas City just missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, there will be players fighting for their jobs, and safety Chamarri Conner is one of the Chiefs facing that test entering the 2026 campaign.
Chamarri Conner Will Be Fighting for Job with Chiefs in 2026
Connor has been a contributor for the Chiefs over the last three seasons, playing on defense and special teams. Last season, Connor saw a career-high 1,022 defensive snaps. He was asked to play all over the field, including slot corner, free safety, and in the box.
While he recorded 117 total tackles and four tackles for loss in 2025, Connor left a lot to be desired in coverage. He allowed 56 receptions (68 targets) for 643 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded Connor 53.2 overall (82nd among 98 graded safeties) and a 46.7 coverage grade (86th among 98 graded safeties).
Connor also had a 63.5 run-defense grade (75th among 98 graded safeties). The Chiefs gave him an expanded role, but there clearly were areas in which he struggled. The Virginia Tech product is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026, placing more pressure on the coaching staff to get this right as veteran Bryan Cook is set to hit free agency in March.
Even if the Chiefs decide to retain Cook, they need more competition in that room for Connor. They put more on his plate in 2025, but he wasn't able to show he could handle it. Kansas City doesn't have the confidence to hand Connor the starting job again without some level of competition.
In free agency, multiple starting-caliber safeties are slated to hit the market. Kamren Curl, Reed Blankenship, and Kevin Byard are some names who will have several suitors in March and would be upgrades for the Chiefs.
If they decide to use the NFL draft as their avenue to improve that group, Caleb Downs of Ohio State may be an option at No. 9. If they decide to wait until Day 2, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, Dillon Thieneman of Oregon, A.J. Haulcy of LSU, and Kyle Louis of Pittsburgh are some great options that will likely be taken in Rounds 2 and 3 but will be immediate contributors.
The Chiefs will need to lean on their defense as Patrick Mahomes works his way back from a torn ACL. They must have all three levels playing their best, no matter which 11 guys are on the field. With how inconsistent Connor was in 2025, Kansas City should look to add more playmakers for that group.