Chiefs Aim to Rebuild After Missed Playoffs, Face Draft Challenges

The Kansas City Chiefs are entering the 2026 offseason with plenty of reflection and a clear mandate: rebuild and reset after a season to forget. For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs missed the postseason, finishing 6-11, a stark contrast to the dominant campaigns that produced five AFC titles and perennial Super Bowl contention.

Much of the team’s struggles last season were tied to the season-ending ACL injury to Patrick Mahomes, whose leadership and playmaking had been central to Kansas City’s sustained success. Without him at full strength, the offense struggled to maintain consistency, leaving the Chiefs searching for solutions as they prepare for the upcoming season.

One silver lining from the disappointing finish is draft positioning. After years of selecting late in the first round, the Chiefs will now pick No. 10 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, offering a rare opportunity to add a high-caliber prospect early and address roster needs with top-tier talent.

However, General Manager Brett Veach has acknowledged that the draft process has been complicated by new dynamics, particularly the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals on prospect evaluation and availability. Kansas City faces a more unpredictable landscape than in previous years, making draft strategy more complex.

1. Season Recap and Challenges

The 2025 campaign represented a major departure from the Chiefs’ decade-long dominance in the AFC. A 6-11 finish was compounded by the loss of Mahomes, leaving the team with inconsistent quarterback play and an offense unable to consistently compete against elite defenses. Defensively, the team also struggled to maintain balance, failing to generate consistent pressure and allowing opponents to exploit gaps across multiple positions. Kansas City’s inability to close out games late in the season highlighted both personnel gaps and coaching adjustments that will need attention in the offseason. Missed playoff qualification for the first time since 2014 signals a turning point. The Chiefs are no longer guaranteed top-tier talent through late-first-round picks and must leverage their high draft selection carefully to avoid prolonged rebuilding. The team’s leadership acknowledges the need to reestablish depth and cohesion across the roster while preparing for a competitive AFC, ensuring they do not repeat the same missteps as last season.

2. Draft Opportunities and NIL Impact

Kansas City holds a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a position the franchise hasn’t had since the early Mahomes years. This gives them a rare chance to secure elite talent at a position of need, whether along the offensive line, at skill positions, or in the front seven. However, Veach has noted that the rise of NIL agreements has disrupted the traditional evaluation process. Players who might have been second- or third-round prospects are now financially compensated at other programs, affecting their college experience, playing time, and the typical projection into the NFL draft. “I believe we moved over 25 guys off our board that we had top 75, top 100. So it’s really impacted, I think, the draft,” Veach said. “Typically, the second and third rounds would be those guys that maybe they didn’t play a lot, but they were young. Well, now, these guys are just bouncing and getting paid by another school and getting paid and playing.” The Chiefs must navigate this shifting landscape carefully, balancing positional need with the evolving profiles of prospects affected by NIL deals, ensuring that selections align with both talent and team fit.

3. Prospective Targets and Rebuilding Strategy

Mock drafts suggest several prospects could be available at No. 10, giving Kansas City a diverse set of options. Running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State, linebacker David Bailey from Texas Tech, and linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami are all names in circulation. These potential additions could address both immediate needs and long-term planning, particularly in shoring up the offensive line, enhancing the secondary, or boosting pass-rush capabilities. The Chiefs’ front office is tasked with evaluating talent beyond athletic skill, incorporating leadership, adaptability, and fit with Mahomes’ offensive scheme. Kansas City’s rebuilding strategy will hinge on careful evaluation of both the top-10 selection and subsequent picks, ensuring that the team adds youth and depth capable of returning the franchise to consistent playoff contention. As the draft approaches, the Chiefs aim to turn the disappointment of last season into an opportunity for structural improvement, hoping that smart selections and a recalibrated roster will restore the team’s dominance in the AFC.