5 Chiefs Entering Their Last Season in Kansas City

The Chiefs are in the midst of an exciting offseason as the organization tries to become the first in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Kansas City enjoyed an excellent draft, continuing a recent trend, and the foundation looks set for the next several years.

However, Brett Veach's ability to identify great prospects and signings now leaves the Chiefs with difficult decisions to make moving forward. Nick Bolton, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Justin Reid, and more are all entering the final years of their contracts, and it's not possible under the salary cap to keep everyone.

While the roster will mostly look the same in 2024-25, it'll likely undergo significant changes after that. Let's take a look at five Chiefs entering their final season with the organization.

5 Chiefs Entering Their Last Season

1. Trey Smith - RG

Trey Smith is one of the best right guards in the NFL and will likely command a huge contract. I'd love to keep him in Kansas City and he's a fan favorite for good reason, though I believe Brett Veach will ultimately prioritize keeping Creed Humphrey instead.

Last week, the Eagles signed a four-year, $84 million extension with Landon Dickerson to make him the highest paid guard in the league. Smith will likely command a similar contract given his age, leadership, and production, and I don't think the Chiefs will pay top dollar for two interior offensive linemen.

I could be wrong, of course, though I think this is the last year we'll see Smith in a Chiefs uniform. The 6'6", 321 LB former sixth-round pick plays with a fierce tenacity that sets the tone along the line.

He's excellent in both pass and run blocking and has helped give Kansas City one of the NFL's most stout interior offensive lines since being drafted in 2021. Losing Smith would represent a big blow to the offense, but guards are likely ultimately easier to replace in the grand scheme of things.

Joe Thuney still has two years left on his deal, though the Chiefs do have a potential out after this season. I believe they'll sign Humphrey, let Smith walk and see how things go with a replacement guard alongside Thuney. That being said, I fully expect Smith to dominate in a contract year and drive his value even higher.

2. Kadarius Toney - WR

The Chiefs were never expected to pick up Kadarius Toney's fifth-year option, but their decision to decline it does start the clock on Toney's tenure in Kansas City. This is the final year of his contract and after the improvements the Chiefs have made at receiver this offseason, it's hard to see where Toney fits in moving forward.

Toney likely sits as the fifth or sixth wide receiver on the depth chart right now, behind Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, and possibly Skyy Moore. The coaching staff believes Worthy can be a game-changing punt returner, so that takes some of Toney's special teams value away as well.

After the bizarre way Toney's season ended last year, becoming a healthy scratch in the playoffs with some absurd social media antics, the organization seems to be moving on from the former first-round pick.

Brett Veach recently declared that Toney is probably the team's most talented receiver, but the Chiefs' actions speak otherwise. The front office doesn't believe it can depend on the oft-injured wideout, plain and simple. I'm hopeful that Toney can rebuild his value with a strong season and he's got two Super Bowl rings to his name, though I'd be surprised to see him back after this season.

If Rashee Rice ultimately does face a lengthy suspension, that'll give Toney one last chance to prove his worth. We'll see if he can take advantage of it.

3. Noah Gray - TE

You can usually get an insight into Brett Veach's future plans by what he does in previous offseasons. This is Noah Gray's last year under contract and Veach signed Irv Smith Jr. while drafting promising fourth-rounder Jared Wiley to serve as Travis Kelce's understudy.

Gray has been a reliable secondary weapon at tight end, notching 604 receiving yards over the last two seasons, but it's clear the team plans to move on following this offseason. If Wiley becomes the weapon the organization hopes he will, there won't be a space for a Gray contract extension.

That's not to say that Gray hasn't performed well in his role. He has. Even still, he can't provide the athletic upside that Wiley does as a receiving threat and insurance for Travis Kelce.

Andy Reid loves to run these sets with two tight ends in the red zone to confuse defenses. Gray has four regular-season TDs with the Chiefs as a result and he should be a coveted player at his position in free agency. He's a dependable blocker as well, increasing his value.

I've enjoyed watching Gray as a Chief, though there's no ignoring the immense potential Wiley brings to the table.

4. Justin Reid - S

Justin Reid is a high-quality safety and natural fit for Steve Spagnuolo's defense. He's helped shape the identity of one of the NFL's best units, though I think this is his final season as a Chief as well. Similar to how the drafting of Jared Wiley shows us that Gray's time is limited, Brett Veach's recent actions indicate he's searching for a Reid replacement.

After selecting Bryan Cook in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Veach doubled down with Washington State standout Jaden Hicks in the fourth round this year. The Chiefs have notably never signed a contract extension for a member in the secondary during Veach's tenure. Trent McDuffie is in line to buck that trend, but I don't think Veach is breaking the bank twice for Reid.

Reid will only be 28 years old at the end of next season and can still command top dollar, especially if he maintains his strong play in 2024-25. He's got 178 tackles, 14 deflected passes, four sacks, and a forced fumble and interception a piece as a Chief, showcasing the versatility that will make him a highly-rated free agent.

That play in the Super Bowl illustrates the value Reid brings to a defense. He handles coverage on Dallas Goedert well, perfectly opening his hips with the break of the route. That lets him scan the field and see that DeVonta Smith had the ball, allowing him to make the big hit.

Reid is a cerebral player that'll command a hefty contract. With Cook and Hicks developing alongside Chamarri Conner, the pieces are already in place to ultimately replace him. Wouldn't it be nice to send Reid off with three Super Bowl rings, though?

5. Lucas Niang - OT

If you'd forgotten Lucas Niang was still on the roster, you're not alone. The 2020 third-round pick is on the last year of his rookie contract and hasn't played significant snaps since his rookie season, so it seems obvious the Chiefs are moving on.

2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris and 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia are competing for the starting left tackle role, while Jawaan Taylor is firmly entrenched at right tackle. Kansas City drafted three offensive linemen this year, all of them with some versatility, decreasing the need for a player like Niang who never quite stuck on the roster.

Barring significant unforeseen injuries, there isn't a path for playing time for Niang. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut from the team, though his experience with the blocking scheme likely gives him an edge for this season at least.

After playing 525 snaps in 2021, Niang has only 67 snaps total since. Kansas City has other plans on the offensive line and with so many difficult decisions ahead, including the contracts of Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, there are only so many resources the organization can commit to the line.

If this is Niang's last ride, he'll always be a two-time Super Bowl champion and perhaps a third. He's a player I'd keep an eye on throughout training camp, because the Chiefs' draft class may end his tenure sooner than expected.

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