At 3 p.m. Arrowhead Time on Wednesday, the NFL’s 2025 league year began.
This means that all of the Kansas City Chiefs’ work within the “legal tampering period” over the last two and half days can now become official.
As this critical juncture comes to pass, here’s a summary of Kansas City’s moves to this point:
Departures: S Justin Reid (Saints), DT Tershawn Wharton (Panthers), WR DeAndre Hopkins (Ravens), WR Justin Watson (Texans), RB Samaje Perine (Bengals)
None of these exits are shocking — even as most Chiefs fans hoped they would be able to retain safety Justin Reid and defensive tackle Turk Wharton.
Kansas City stuck with its historical process at safety, turning to the youth (Bryan Cook and Jaden Hicks) while letting an older player move on. The Chiefs may have wanted to keep Wharton, but I am not sure his compensation could have ever been in their plans.
Trades: LG Joe Thuney (Bears)
To free up cap room to operate, the Chiefs had to choose between Thuney and Trey Smith, and they chose Smith. While Kansas City has maintained its love for Thuney and his ability to play at a high level, signing the younger player was a priority. Moving Thuney freed up $16 million worth of cap space and gained a 2026 fourth-round draft selection.
Internal signings of note: RG Trey Smith, LB Nick Bolton, WR Hollywood Brown
At this writing, Smith has signed his franchise tender — although a long-term deal could still lower his 2025 cap number. Bolton’s new contract keeps him as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s on-field lieutenant, and Brown gets a do-over on a disappointing 2024 campaign due to his rare injury.
Remaining internal free agents of note: DL Charles Omenihu, RB Kareem Hunt, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DT Derrick Nnadi, DT Mike Pennel
As expected, Omenihu appears to be testing the open market — and he is one to watch for a potential return. I would not be stunned if Hunt plays his free-agent position as he did last season: waiting for an opportunity to start when a running back around the league inevitably goes down.
Smith-Schuster and Nnadi — both 28 — could be back on small one-year deals — and if he is still interested in playing, the same could be said for the 33-year-old Pennel.
External signings: LT Jaylon Moore, CB Kristian Fulton, RB Elijah Mitchell
I’m not sure you would regard the Chiefs’ external signings as exactly splashy, but they were solid, wise decisions that shore up areas of need with capable starters.
Year after year, general manager Brett Veach always finds a way to get to this position ahead of the NFL Draft: the team is without any glaring need. Sure… one could argue it needs more defensive line depth, but it’s worth noting that Veach considers the upcoming class to be deepest along the defensive front.
For a full, continuously updated rundown of the Chiefs’ entire offseason, visit and bookmark this page.
