The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be changing some things up from their usual approach in 2026.
Offensively, it seems safe to assume they will commit to running the ball more after building a power offensive line over the last couple of years, as well as signing running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year contract.
More than half of Kansas City’s defense could potentially have new starters. Most of them will be made up of either rookies or second-year players. The Chiefs are hoping the youth movement will breath new life in a unit that was becoming stale.
Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 Offseason Improvements Described as ‘Fresh’
Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports recently came up with one-word descriptions for each NFL team’s offseason moves. Here is why he went with “fresh” for the Chiefs:
“Even before Patrick Mahomes’ injury, it was clear the version of the Chiefs that had won two of the past three Super Bowls had run its course. It couldn’t rely on Mahomes to bail them out of every tough situation or close game. So they began anew. At cornerback, out went Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and in came No. 6 overall pick Mansoor Delane. Peter Woods has the athletic traits to be a stud alongside Chris Jones, and R Mason Thomas is the speed-based edge rusher Kansas City has long needed.”
The Chiefs had a clear goal of getting younger and faster on defense. Thomas is a big deviation from what they typically look for in an edge rusher. Just as it has been with Mahomes on offense, Kansas City has been over-reliant on Jones anchoring the middle of the defense throughout the past few years.
Woods, along with free agent addition Khyiris Tonga and second-year player Omarr Norman-Lott, should open things up for Jones. Back in the secondary, Delane will provide fluid athleticism and proficiency against all types of coverages. Safety Alohi Gilman, who the Chiefs signed during free agency, has a versatile skillset.
Kenneth Walker III ‘Exemplifies’ Chiefs’ New Outlook
GettyChiefs RB Kenneth Walker III.
Pereles went on to point out Walker specifically as exemplifying his description of “fresh” for Kansas City in 2026.
“But Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, is the biggest change. Chiefs running backs were dead last in explosive rush rate the last two years. Enter Walker, who was second only to De’Vone Achane in explosive rush rate (min. 200 snaps) in 2025. He’s a complete 180 from what Kansas City has had recently.”
Walker brings more speed, power, and better receiving skills to the table than any other running back the Chiefs have had in several years. Behind their revamped offensive line, Walker should not only give the rushing attack a major boost, but open things up for Mahomes in the passing game.
Kansas City has not had a very balanced offense in quite some time. Its last 1,000-yard rusher was Kareem Hunt way back in 2017. Walker has rushed for over 1,000 yards twice throughout his four-year NFL career, and has also racked up over 1,000 receiving yards during that span. Coach Andy Reid stated he believes Walker can be effective from both under center and shotgun, noting that his statistics were good when he lined up in either formation (H/T Jesse Newell).
Chiefs’ Offseason Moves Receive Perfect 1-Word Description