Although the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense remained a strong unit in 2025, they’re destined to regress if they don’t upgrade the unit in the offseason.
The Chiefs have several core contributors entering free agency, such as safety Bryan Cook and linebacker Leo Chenal, and considering they only have an estimated $8.56 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, they won’t be able to re-sign everyone.Â
While the front office will likely prioritize surrounding quarterback Patrick Mahomes with better playmakers in 2026, the Chiefs cannot turn a blind eye to the defense. To be specific, the defensive line could use some help, and someone who could give the Chiefs’ defense a huge boost is defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.Â
According to ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter, "barring a trade," the Minnesota Vikings are expected to release Hargrave "at the start of the league year." If Hargrave hits the open market, the Chiefs must pounce on the opportunity to sign him.Â
Javon Hargrave Signing Would Give Chiefs a Huge Offseason Win
While the Chiefs’ defense was solid all-around, the team struggled to generate pressure, tying for 22nd in sacks (35) and ranked 24th in hurry percentage (7.1%). This was in large part due to the lack of help alongside defensive linemen Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.Â
The duo was the sole reason for having somewhat of a competent pass rush, combining for 13 of the team’s 35 sacks and 80 out of the 195 hurries. Outside of these two, the Chiefs scarcely received quality contributions from their defensive linemen.Â
Both Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi were huge disappointments in 2025, combining for only one and a half sacks and 36 total tackles. While Omar Norman-Lott and Zacch Pickens displayed some potential, both players are young and unproven, combining for just 131 defensive snaps.Â
With the Chiefs likely uninterested in bringing back Tillery and Nnadi, they cannot afford to rely on Norman-Lott and Pickens to step in and become immediate, impactful players. They need to learn and develop behind great, proven veteran players, and no one is a better fit for this role than Hargrave.Â
Throughout his career, Hargrave has been a key contributor to each team he’s been on. The former two-time Pro-Bowler has excelled at generating pressure in the interior, logging 49 sacks across 146 games.Â
While he may not be as dominant a player as he once was, Hargrave had a solid 2025 campaign with the Vikings, posting three and a half sacks, 52 total tackles, and four tackles for loss.Â
He remains a premier pass rusher in the interior, generating 24 hurries and three quarterback hits last season, which earned him a 70.0 pass rush grade per Pro Football Focus, ranking 32nd out of 134 interior defenders.Â
Chiefs Must Remain on High Alert
If Hargrave is released, he’d immediately become one of the best free agent defensive tackles and should command interest from multiple teams. While his price tag is uncertain, it should be well below the $21.4 million cap hit he had with the Vikings, and likely be around half that with his next team.
Even though it would be tough for the Chiefs to sign him at that price, they could find a way to maneuver some money around to land him. Hargrave could also potentially take a discount to play for the Chiefs.Â
Given their lack of quality depth in the interior, the Chiefs should show urgency to sign the 10-year veteran.Â
Defensive coordinator Steven Spagnuolo’s defenses have thrived when they can create pressure, and that’s why adding Hargrave should be vital to the Chiefs. Pairing Jones with a reliable interior defender would take the pressure off of him and allow him to create favorable matchups.Â
Hargrave has shown that he’s still got plenty left in the tank, and he’d be a tremendous boost to their pass rush. Of course, signing Hargrave would be a short-term solution to their interior line problem, but it’s worth the risk.Â
Considering this year’s draft class features some depth at the position, the Chiefs should look in the later rounds to acquire a developmental piece to address the long-term need.Â
Hargrave would be the ideal solution to the Chiefs' defensive line needs. Even if he isn't signed, though, it's clear that upgrading the unit isn't something that general manager Brett Veach can ignore this offseason.