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NFL free agency is almost a month away, and the Kansas City Chiefs could be buyers. They will need to make internal moves to manipulate the salary cap, but the Chiefs could be in good shape to acquire solid players if played correctly.
After a lackluster 2025 season, it will be interesting to see if general manager Brett Veach starts 2026 with a bang.
Here are five targets in free agency that could do so:
The Chiefs need running back help, and the Kansas City native could find his way home on an affordable deal. The running back free agency class is stocked with talent, but the asking price for the top-end players could be too high for Veach.
At the moment, White is projected to demand $7.5 million annually according to Spotrac, which would be a good payday for the veteran back, and a good deal for the team that signs him.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, White has been in the starting mix since his rookie season, but took a backseat to Bucky Irving when he was drafted in 2024.
White is a bruising back and was very good in short-yardage and goal-to-go situations. He also possesses the strength and speed to break tackles once he gets going into space.
Whether the Chiefs want to add him to complement the only running back currently under contract — Brashard Smith — or pair him with a future rookie, White would be a great fit for a downhill run game.
White has also been a productive receiver and is sound in pass protection.
Hall’s career has not lived up to his early second-round draft selection back in 2022, but this feels like a Veach-type move.
Hall will only be 26 years old by the start of next season, and his physical stature and athletic profile — 6 feet 6 inches and 286 pounds — could be what the Chiefs are looking for in a player to back up Chris Jones, as well as provide veteran depth.
Jerry Tillery, Derrick Nnadi, and Mike Pennel are all free agents from the 2025 roster, and Hall could be a direct replacement for Tillery.
Although Hall only had a sack and a half last season, he had 5.5 in 2024. In Tampa Bay’s 3-4 front, Hall was forced to play head up on offensive tackles, but in Kansas City, he could slide inside and play as a 3-technique in relief of Jones.
Quietly putting together a solid 2026 campaign, Doubs has been a solid No. 2 wide reciever during his time with the Green Bay Packers, and is coming off of his most productive season as a pro. He was a go-to in the red zone for quarterback Jordan Love, finishing with 724 yards and six touchdowns.
According to Spotrac, Doubs is slated for an average of $12.5 million per season coming up, and while this may be steep, Doubs can bring a skillset to the table that multiple Chiefs free agent wide receivers could not in 2025.
Wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown and Tyquon Thornton are all free agents, and none have the full skillset of Doubs.
Kansas City will likely add talent at wide receiver in the draft as well, but Doubs would give them an established veteran presence immediately, and could be thrown in the mix right away with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Both Rice and Worthy have shown flashes over the last few seasons, but neither has taken the next step in their game.
Doubs would give Mahomes an established downfield presence to throw passes to, and hopefully become a security blanket.
The Chiefs are still waiting on a final answer from tight end Travis Kelce regarding his future, but there is little doubt that he would be back in Kansas City if he decides to play one final season. Regardless of that situation, the Chiefs should look to the future in free agency.
Pitt’s time with the Atlanta Falcons has been odd: 1,000 receving yards in his rookie season followed by three consecutive mediocre years. Then, in 2025, he totaled 928 yards with career-high marks in receptions (88) and touchdowns (5).
Pitts was never a great fit in head coach Arthur Smith’s scheme, but under head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Pitts showed what he could do in a spread-based offense.
Pitts is projected at $10.8 million AAV under Spotrac, which is steep for a tight end, but with a year of tutelage playing side by side with Kelce, Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid could be what unlocks Pitts’ full potential and helps him turn into an All-Pro caliber player.
In Chiefs Kingdom, Ossai may be most remembered for his infamous unnecessary roughness penalty in the 2022 AFC Championship game, when he shoved quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of bounds and set up agame-winning field goal.
Since that low moment in his career, Ossai has become a reliable player and will provide solid bend and quickness off the edge.
The Chiefs need an injection of athletic ability at defensive end, and Ossai would immediately provide that. A solid first step helps him penetrate quickly, and he could become a good complementary player to Jones, defensive end George Karlafitis and possibly a highly drafted rookie.
Although he may not be a true fit for what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is looking for in a defensive end, he would come in and immediately be a valuable “changeup” pass rusher, providing the Chiefs with the edge rush they have been lacking for a while.
Spotrac projects his average salary to be $9 million, which may be a bit steep, but the defensive line needs an overhaul, and adding athletic ability is a good place to start.
Who else should the Chiefs target in free agency? Let us know in the comments.
