After the Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, many are calling for the AFC franchise to have a "soft reset."
With the futures of several aging players at the top of the priority list, along with the Chiefs maybe being a little more ruthless in who they keep on the roster and who they don't, it could be a big offseason for the AFC franchise.
Exactly how general manager Brett Veach and Co. Approach this offseason will be an interesting watch, as players who have been a staple of Andy Reid's team could be looking for work elsewhere in 2026.
For ESPN's Jordan Reid, the Chiefs could look to replace both Jawaan Taylor and Travis Kelce in the upcoming draft.
“The Chiefs are in a rebuild mode thanks to bloated contracts and aging veterans,” Reid wrote. “Quarterback and left tackle are the only positions truly off the table in Round 1. With a rare top-10 pick, the Chiefs could replace right tackle Jawaan Taylor with a prospect like Francis Mauigoa (Miami).
"In Round 2, they could address Kelce's uncertain future by drafting a tight end like Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt).”
More: Insider reveals why Chiefs must give ultimate sales pitch to Travis Kelce
Chiefs entering soft reset in 2026
Having been in the playoffs and Super Bowls nearly every year, the Chiefs haven't had a full offseason to comb through the roster.
That is because always seen as a genuine Super Bowl chance, every season is "all-in."
Now that won't be the case. The Chiefs know they aren't good enough, and that will mean tough conversations will happen this offseason regarding the futures of several players.
Having time to see where the weaknesses are on the roster and properly address them with young players, it could be a vastly different-looking Kansas City team next season.
And that might not be such a bad thing.
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