Chiefs brace for free agent hits as 2022 draft class nears payday

It's June, which means Kansas City Chiefs fans are nestled all snug in their beds while visions of training camp dance in their heads.

Though football is just around the corner and the Chiefs have a lot to look forward to in 2025, let's take a glimpse ahead even further down the road, to next spring when several current players will (likely) hit the free agent market.

The bill is coming for the Chiefs' vaunted 2022 draft class. A whopping seven members of that class will be due for a new deal next spring, and that's not counting the team's two first-round picks from that year.

Veteran defenders Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis are technically entering the last year of their rookie contracts, but with their status as first-round picks, each has a fifth-year club option that the team picked up in April.

The Chiefs reaped a remarkable class that off-season in the wake of the blockbuster trade of All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Here's a look at the veterans and notable names on the Chiefs roster who will be entering the 2025 season with the most to gain.

*projected starter in 2025

Quarterback (2):

Gardner Minshew
Bailey Zappe

Running back (3):

Kareem Hunt
Elijah Mitchell
Isiah Pacheco*

Wide receiver (6):

Hollywood Brown*
Skyy Moore
Nikko Remigio
Justyn Ross
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Tyquan Thornton

Tight end (2):

Travis Kelce*
Robert Tonyan

Offensive line (2):

Trey Smith*
Mike Caliendo

Defensive line (6):

Charles Omenihu*
Malik Herring
Fabien Lovett
Mike Pennel*
Jerry Tillery
Marlon Tuipulotu

Linebacker (4):

Leo Chenal*
Cole Christiansen
Jack Cochrane
Cam Jones

Cornerback (3):

Nazeeh Johnson
Jaylen Watson*
Joshua Williams

Safety (3):

Deon Bush
Bryan Cook*
Mike Edwards

Specialists (2):

Matt Araiza* (punter)
James Winchester* (long snapper)