Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 offseason strategy preview

The Kansas City Chiefs want to build another championship team, and it all starts in the offseason.

Contracts for Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones were restructured to create salary cap space, with moves designed to sustain long-term competitiveness. Adding free agents like left tackle Jaylon Moore signals the team's effort to address immediate needs while allowing flexibility to target additional talent via the NFL draft.

The Chiefs plan to focus primarily on defensive line reinforcements, but they have a history of back-end draft picks that pay off in the long run. They've resigned many key players and are committed to retaining a core group that complements Mahomes' record-setting leadership on the field.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) takes questions from the press during a team media availability at New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 1: ‘HOLLYWOOD’ BROWN, WHO WILL BE A FREE AGENT, SAYS HE FOUND JOY IN FOOTBALL AGAIN WITH CHIEFS

Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown says he thoroughly enjoyed playing with the Chiefs. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach attends practice at Chiefs training camp on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in St. Joseph. By Emily Curiel

NO. 2: HOW WILL CHIEFS ADDRESS LEFT TACKLE? HERE’S WHAT GM BRETT VEACH SAID AT NFL COMBINE

Here’s why the Chiefs’ ”tricky” dilemma has no easy solution. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith arrives before Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. By Emily Curiel

NO. 3: SIX CHIEFS PLAYERS LISTED AMONG TOP 61 FREE AGENTS ON NFL NETWORK HOST’S LIST

Chiefs guard Trey Smith is No. 2 on this list. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, left, and head coach Andy Reid speak while observing players during practice at Chiefs training camp on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in St. Joseph. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: HOW SALARY CAP CHANGE AFFECTS CHIEFS — AND THEIR CHANCES AT NO. 1 FREE AGENT TARGET

Chiefs GM Brett Veach confirmed to The Star this player was the team’s top free-agent priority. | Published February 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) takes questions from the media during team media availability at New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 5: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS MAKE SURPRISE MOVE TO LOCK IN TOP FREE AGENT WITH FRANCHISE TAG

The Chiefs hope to sign him to a long-term extension. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell Sam McDowell

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. By Kirby Lee

NO. 6: FOUR MOVES KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CAN MAKE TO CREATE A HEFTY AMOUNT OF SALARY-CAP SPACE

The Chiefs have the ability to open up room under the NFL’s salary cap by making a series of moves. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walk to the field for training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in St. Joseph. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 7: WHY THE CHIEFS ARE BRINGING BACK TREY SMITH — AND WHERE IT LEAVES THEM FOR FREE AGENCY

The Chiefs made a surprising move with the franchise tag. Here’s their explanation for it — and the reverberation from the decision. | Published March 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly (OL07) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. By Kirby Lee

NO. 8: LEFT TACKLE PROJECTED TO BE DRAFTED BY CHIEFS ALREADY HAS NICKNAME FOR PATRICK MAHOMES

One left tackle who met with the Chiefs at the NFL Combine is projected to be drafted by Kansas City in Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce held the Lamar Hunt Trophy as Chiefs general manager Brett Veach looked on after the Chiefs captured the 2019 AFC Championship by defeating the Tennessee Titans, 35-24. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 9: TRAVIS KELCE ACKNOWLEDGES THE CHIEFS’ BRASS MUST UPGRADE THE ROSTER AHEAD OF 2025 SEASON

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce talked about what the team needs to do in the offseason to prepare for another run at the Super Bowl. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney arrives before the Chiefs’ game with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 10: CHIEFS TRADING TEAM MVP JOE THUNEY TO CHICAGO BEARS. HERE’S THE IMPACT FOR KC IN 2025

What do you think of the move? | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell Sam McDowell

Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Sept. 2024. By Brett Davis

NO. 11: HERE’S WHY THE CHIEFS TRADED JOE THUNEY, DESPITE NEEDING HELP ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE

The Chiefs roster didn’t improve on Wednesday, but it could in the long-term. That’s why this move matters. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Kansas City Chiefs tackle Kingsley Suamataia (No. 76) blocks during a Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Emily Curiel

NO. 12: KINGSLEY SUAMATAIA CAN SUCCEED AS JOE THUNEY’S REPLACEMENT, SAYS FORMER CHIEFS PLAYER

A former Chiefs player talked about Kingsley Suamataia’s future as a guard. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) celebrates a pass break up in the second half of the Chiefs AFC Divisional Round playoff game vs. the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Dominick Williams

NO. 13: AFTER JOE THUNEY, TREY SMITH MOVES, HERE’S WHERE THE CHIEFS STAND FOR FREE AGENCY

What should the Kansas City Chiefs do with each of their free agents? Let's go down the list. | Published March 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) attempts to stop Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) on a run during Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. By Dominick Williams

NO. 14: CHIEFS TAKE ANOTHER FREE AGENT OFF THE MARKET, SIGNING LINEBACKER NICK BOLTON: REPORT

Nick Bolton has been a tackling machine for the Chiefs. | Published March 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

NO. 15: CHIEFS FREE-AGENCY TRACKER: KC ADDS 49ERS LT, RB AS 3 VETERANS DEPART | REPORTS

What do you think of these moves for the Chiefs? | Published March 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton (7) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) in the first half at SoFi Stadium on Sep. 29, 2024 in Inglewood, California. By Jayne Kamin-Oncea

NO. 16: CHIEFS FREE-AGENCY TRACKER, UPDATES: KC ADDS CB AS JUSTIN REID, D-HOP DEPART | REPORT

What do you think of the latest moves? | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

A fan holds an altered “Mr. Irrelevant” jersey for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (not pictured) during pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. By Joe Nicholson

NO. 17: WHY CHIEFS ARE LIKELY TO GET ‘MR. IRRELEVANT’ DRAFT PICK IN 2025 — AND WHAT THAT MEANS

Here’s a list of the picks the Chiefs will have in the 2025 draft. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones laughed as they addressed the crowd during the 2024 Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon on Wednesday, August 28 at the Loews Kansas City Hotel. The event celebrates the NFL and Chiefs kickoff for the new season. The event is a benefit the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 18: CHIEFS RESTRUCTURE PATRICK MAHOMES, CHRIS JONES DEALS TO MAKE SALARY CAP ROOM | REPORT

The Chiefs faced this 3 p.m. deadline. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton celebrates a sack of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert early in the second of half of the Chiefs game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Dominick Williams

NO. 19: WHY THE CHIEFS HAVE TARGETED THESE FREE AGENTS, AND WHAT’S LEFT TO ACCOMPLISH

What’s behind the Kansas City Chiefs’ early moves in NFL free agency? | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu arrives before the AFC Divisional Round playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 20: KC CHIEFS ADD TO PASS RUSH, RE-SIGN VERSATILE EDGE RUSHER IN FREE AGENCY | REPORT

He hinted previously this offseason that KC is where he wanted to be. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jaylon Moore during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. By Jim Dedmon

NO. 21: CHIEFS’ NEW LEFT TACKLE LEARNED FROM ONE OF THE BEST. NOW, HE’LL PROTECT PATRICK MAHOMES

The Kansas City Chiefs hope Jaylon Moore is the answer at left tackle. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton (DL65) wears a medallion with picture of late uncle Harold during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 26, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. By Kirby Lee

NO. 22: WHO WILL CHIEFS TAKE IN 2025 NFL DRAFT? SEE KC STAR’S PREDICTIONS IN MOCK DRAFT

Our Mock Draft 1.0 has gotten a future Chiefs player correct (with the first pick) for three straight seasons. Will this be the fourth? | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs for a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024. By Chris Jones

NO. 23: CHIEFS MOCK DRAFT 2.0: HOW MUCH EMPHASIS ON DEFENSIVE LINE FOR KC IN NFL DRAFT?

The Star’s latest mock draft for the Chiefs has them leaning toward defensive line early. | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as he’s pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) and defensive ends Maxx Crosby (98) and Janarius Robinson (97) during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023. By Denny Medley

NO. 24: HE’LL GO FROM CHASING PATRICK MAHOMES TO HELPING KC. AND HE’S READY TO GET GOING

Here’s why having a full offseason in Kansas City was so important to this new Chiefs defensive end. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales interviews Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (DL15) during the 2025 NFL Combine on Feb. 27, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. By Kirby Lee

NO. 25: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS MOCK DRAFT 3.0: HOW EARLY WILL KC TAKE AN OFFENSIVE TACKLE?

The Star’s Chiefs Mock Draft 3.0 was perfect with its first-round pick last year. Can we go 2-for-2? | Published April 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.