Keep em’ or let em’ walk out the door. I make the call for the Chiefs’ offensive free agents.
With free agency less than a month away, the Kansas City Chiefs have loads of decisions to make about players who are set to walk out the door. At the time of this writing, we estimate that the Chiefs have between $4.8 and $8.8 million in cap space.
This number is likely to change. Kansas City will surely make a few moves to free up some cap space before free agency officially begins on March 12.
Today we are focusing primarily on 11 offensive players who are set to be unrestricted free agents. Let’s try to decide what the Chiefs should do with them.
Receivers and tight ends
Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Kansas City brought Hopkins in as emergency reinforcement for an injury-riddled position group — and while he had his moments in red and gold, by the time the playoffs rolled around, he was being out-snapped by JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Verdict: Let him walk
WR Hollywood Brown
After his signing last March, there was a lot of hype surrounding the veteran wideout. But his season was truncated by injury before it could even begin. Late in the season, he was able to return — showing flashes of why the Chiefs were so excited about him — but with the emergence of Xavier Worthy, the need for him wasn’t as great as we had anticipated. At the right price, however, he could be a valuable weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Verdict: Re-sign if the price is right
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
The veteran wide receiver’s career was on life support when he was cut by the New England Patriots last year, but one man’s cast-off is another man’s valuable role player. Sometimes it’s all about a player being in the right situation — and being with a coaching staff that knows how to utilize him.
Verdict: Re-sign him to another one-year deal
WR Justin Watson
The eighth-year veteran has had a good run in Kansas City. He’s a solid special teams player who makes one or two big plays a game. He’s just not a high-target guy — or someone who can reliably move the chains. And while his ability to stretch the field is valuable, with Xavier Worthy in the fold (and Tyquan Thorton available to come off the practice squad in a pinch), he’s not as valuable as he once was.
Verdict: Let him walk
WR Mecole Hardman
Much like Watson, Hardman has had his highlights with the Chiefs. But with Nikko Remigio taking over kick return duties — and considering Hardman’s limited role in the offense — his probably doesn’t have enough value to justify a roster spot.
Verdict: Let him walk — and try to sign him to the practice squad later
TE Jody Fortson
I am the captain of the Jody Fortson fan club, but sometimes the NFL’s fates are cruel. Fortson’s career will be defined by his relentless desire to fight his way onto an NFL roster, only to have his hard-won opportunity stolen by injuries.
Verdict: Let him walk
The rest of the offense
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
QB Carson Wentz
Head coach Andy Reid wants a veteran quarterback to back up Mahomes. While Wentz fits that bill, guys like him are readily available. He was given a chance to distinguish himself in his lone start against the Denver Broncos in Week 18, he did little to make a case for the Chiefs to re-sign him.
Verdict: Let him walk
RB Kareem Hunt
In his return to Kansas City, Hunt gave us a great story of redemption as he tried to grab a piece of the glory he had watched his former teammates obtain. And while he was the Chiefs’ most reliable running back in 2024, he has lost a step. He no longer possesses the explosiveness he once did.
Verdict: Let him walk
RB Samaje Perine
Like Hunt, Perine’s best days are behind him. But he still has a unique skill set as a receiving back that should not be underestimated. Will that be enough to bring him back? And now a year older, could he match his production from last year?
Verdict: Let him walk
LT D.J. Humphries
When the wheels came off the Kingsley Suamataia experiment at left tackle (and Wanya Morris was not up to the challenge of replacing him), the Chiefs signed Humphries just as he was cleared to play after suffering a torn ACL. But the team didn’t get a very good look at him when he injured his hamstring during his first Kansas City game. Still, while he was available to play in Super Bowl LIX, the Chiefs decided to stick with playing left guard Joe Thuney at left tackle. That shows you the writing is on the wall for Humphries.
Verdict: Let him walk
RG Trey Smith
For Smith, it’s not so much about whether the Chiefs want to re-sign him. Instead, it’s can they bring him back? The All-Pro guard is sure to be one of the hottest names in free agency, so his starting price might be out of Kansas City’s price range. In addition, the Chiefs’ former assistant general manager Mike Borganzi is now the Tennessee Titans’ general manager. He has a personal affinity for Smith, who was born in Tennessee and played his college ball for the Tennessee Volunteers. All of this suggests that in 2025, Smith will be playing in Nashville under a large multi-year deal. Kansas City drafted three offensive linemen in 2024. One of them should be able to step in at right guard.
Verdict: Let him walk