3 Chiefs Unlikely to Return in 2025 After Poor Start to Season

3. Justin Reid - S

Unlike the other two players on this list, Justin Reid's inclusion is not about his production or playing time. Instead, it's more about financials and the way Brett Veach typically handles the secondary. Reid is one of the most important players on the defense and a beloved leader, but Veach has been preparing for his departure for the last couple of seasons.

Reid will be 28 years old next year and commands a hefty salary. With Mahomes' cap hit rising and deals coming for recent draft picks, it'll be hard to find money for Reid unless he takes a discount. Bryan Cook and Jaden Hicks were drafted over the last two years, giving the team two ready-made replacements should the Chiefs and Reid go separate ways.

Veach has famously never re-signed a member of the secondary. Trent McDuffie will likely soon break that trend, though he's significantly younger than Reid with no obvious replacement behind him.

He's an intuitive, physical safety who knows Steve Spagnuolo's defense well. Reid's off to his normal productive start too, notching 22 tackles and a deflected pass through the first month. If the two sides can make the money work, Kansas City would likely love to have him back.

That being said, all signs point to him leaving after this year. Keeping him would require sacrificing money at other positions that don't have recent draft picks waiting in the wings. Reid was an excellent signing but just like Tyrann Mathieu before him, this is probably his only contract with the organization.

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