Free agency is still a bit further on the horizon, but the Kansas City Chiefs can’t afford to overlook their possibilities. For the first time in years, general manager Brett Veach has his work cut out for him, especially considering potential departures.
There’s plenty of talent to improve upon internally, let alone to replace once voids are left. On the defensive side of the ball, one particular player’s absence could be felt more than many believe.
Safety Bryan Cook Named Chiefs’ ‘Secret Superstar’ Performer for 2025-26
In a January 20 story for Pro Football Focus, Zach Tantillo outlined each team’s “secret superstar” from this season. Safety Bryan Cook made the cut as the Chiefs’ most underrated impact player.
“The standard in Kansas City during the Mahomes-Reid era has been Super Bowl or bust, and although the team missed the playoffs in 2025, Cook was a clear bright spot on defense,” Tantillo wrote. “He finished the season as the Chiefs’ highest-graded defender (83.5) and ranked fourth among all safeties in that regard. Cook was one of just two safeties to post an 80.0-plus grade in both coverage and run defense.”
Cook, a 2022 NFL Draft pick, just finished his fourth year in Kansas City. As a Day 2 selection, the club didn’t benefit from a fifth-year option on his contract. He’ll hit the open market following the start of the new league year on March 11. Fortunately for him, he comes into the offseason with plenty of momentum.
After suffering a significant ankle injury in 2023, Cook responded by starting all 17 regular-season games in consecutive campaigns. This year, he set career-high marks for tackles (85) and pass breakups (6). He also posted a career-low 4.5% missed tackle rate.
Coverage was where Cook shined, in PFF’s eyes. Out of 98 qualified safeties in their database, his 83.2 coverage mark was sixth. That was accompanied by a No. 15 mark for run defense (80.1) and a 72nd-ranked pass rush figure (58.3). The former Cincinnati product certainly boosted his stock in Weeks 1-18.
That’s great news for him, but it puts the Chiefs in a pickle.
Evaluating Cook’s Potential Free Agent Market for Offseason
Cook doesn’t turn 27 years old until until the start of next season. He’s a relatively young player who’s either ascending or peaked at a level that seems sustainable. Safeties like him don’t grow on trees. Add in that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is heavy on trust, and it makes allowing Cook to leave difficult. The market may dictate that, though.
According to Spotrac, Cook is worth $14.2 million annually. They project a four-year, $56.8 million deal when comparing his situation to that of others. Over The Cap‘s valuation diamond lands at a far-more-palatable $6.79M average annual value. With that said, per their weekly valuation trends, the former Bearcat delivered three individual games (Week 2, Week 11 and Week 14) worth $10M or more per year.
Did the Chiefs learn their lesson since the last time they let a quality safety leave? New Orleans Saints standout Justin Reid is making $10.5M per year on his three-season pact. It’s reasonable, in this writer’s view, to assume that Cook is deserving of a matching deal. Factor in some year-over-year market inflation and Cook’s age, and that number rises.
A multitude of safeties’ contracts are for an average of $12M annually. A few others filter in right above that. Players like Jessie Bates II (Atlanta Falcons, $16M AAV) and Jevon Holland (New York Giants, $15.1M AAV) kick off another mini-tier. Cook could challenge for more than Reid, but he may not be as good as either of the latter two in the eyes of the league.
The question then comes down to whether the Chiefs are capable of affording a multi-year re-signing. There very well could be a willingness for it, but last year’s AFC champions are operating with limited resources. OTC has them over $60M in the negative, before any maneuvers take place.
That isn’t a desirable place to be. Someone will reward Cook for his improved efforts, but it may not be the Chiefs who can do so.
‘Secret Superstar’ Could Seriously Complicate Chiefs’ Offseason