Chiefs Have 5 Critical Landmarks Over Next 50 Days

Franchise tags, Feb. 17

Kansas City, which has 21 unrestricted free agents, owns the ability to take one free agent off the market. The window for clubs to designate franchise players begins Feb. 17 and ends March 3.

Three players could be on the Chiefs’ franchise-tag radar: Safety Bryan Cook, running back Kareem Hunt and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. However, using the tag might not make sense because the Chiefs have the league’s worst salary-cap situation and Cook might be the only player in that group considered essential for this year and beyond.

According to Over the Cap, the one-year guaranteed salary for each player also could become problematic due to their positions. In fact, that almost certainly prohibits Thornton from the tag (franchise wide receivers are estimated to make $28.824 million in 2026).

Cook is the most valuable in that group to the Chiefs, but they’d owe him around $20.876 million under the tag. Hunt, who’s been exceptional in short yardage his entire career, is the most affordable under that tag at $14.536 million, but still a significant commitment given the Chiefs’ cap restrictions.

One path, as the Chiefs did last season with Trey Smith, is to tag a player like Cook and buy time while the parties work out a long-term extension, a cap-friendly deal.

Also, don’t rule out a franchise tag for Travis Kelce, should the tight end choose to return. That negotiation could become awkward if the sides are far apart on his value. Kelce, who turns 37 in October, earned an annual average of $17.125 million on his latest contract. The projection for the 2026 franchise tag is $16.319 million.

Scouting combine, Feb. 23

The Chiefs’ eight-day Indianapolis trip is critical this year because Kansas City has to win the draft. Not only do the Chiefs get a rare top-10 selection – they draft ninth after finishing 2025 at 6-11 – they also haven’t drafted well in three consecutive seasons.

Only one player from the prior three drafts (2023-25) has started at least 17 overall games, wide receiver Xavier Worthy (26 regular-season starts). Securing productive, healthy players in monumental for the Chiefs this spring.

Free-agent negotiating period, March 9

Beginning at 11 a.m. CT on March 9, the Chiefs can legally enter into negotiations with soon-to-become free agents (also known as the legal tampering period). If Kansas City wants to retain Cook, Hunt or any other player on an expiring contract, the Chiefs need to have already concluded those contract negotiations before the other 31 teams get their shot that Monday.

The Chiefs also need to have their salary cap virtually in compliance so they know what they can offer, both to their own free agents and others they may want to sign.

Happy new league year, March 11

Teams are required to be in compliance with the 2026 salary cap by 3 p.m. CT on March 11, the start of the official league year. For the Chiefs, that means having completed any contract restructures (such as Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones), officially made any cap-casualty roster releases (potentially Jawaan Taylor and Mike Danna) and finalized any trades (potentially Trent McDuffie).

Annual league meeting, March 29

The NFL’s version of March Madness concludes in Phoenix, where NFL owners, top executives and head coaches will convene. Bylaw and rule changes that could affect the Chiefs include the potential for clubs to trade draft choices up to five years into the future (current rule caps at three) and the abolition of the Tush Push (Kansas City lost a 2025 game to Philadelphia, and several regular-season games to Buffalo due to this controversial play).

With new voices on the powerful Competition Committee, the league also could discuss expansion of replay

Another reason to follow the meeting is whether the NFL will announce the Chiefs as an international opponent (not likely but if it happens, probably in London).

Chiefs Kingdom, Super Bowl 60 is ancient history, and your team now is again tied for first place. So, why not follow a first-place destination, right here at On SI? Be sure to sign up for a FREE newsletter with the latest information sent each morning … SIGN UP HERE NOW.