Kansas City Chiefs free-agency tracker: Which players are leaving, joining KC?

By Pete Sweeney and Blair Kerkhoff

Updated March 17, 2026 12:20 PM

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Chiefs cut Danna and Taylor, saving about $29 million against 2026 cap.
Chiefs trade All‑Pro Trent McDuffie to Rams for four draft picks, including No. 29.
Kenneth Walker signs to boost Chiefs run game; Kelce likely will return.

The NFL free-agency period arrived Monday, and Chiefs news broke quickly from the gate.

By noon, reports had Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, coming to Kansas City, and cornerback Jaylen Watson heading to the Los Angeles Rams. Also, The Star has confirmed tight end Travis Kelce will be back with the Chiefs.

Here’s a rundown of moves involving the Chiefs:

Defensive end Mike Danna is released: The move saved Kansas City roughly $9 million against the 2026 salary cap.
Right tackle Jawaan Taylor is released: The move saved Kansas City $20 million against the 2026 salary cap.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie traded to Los Angeles Rams: The Chiefs traded the All-Pro to LA in exchange for four draft picks, including No. 29 overall in this year’s draft.
Tight end Travis Kelce will return for 14th season in Kansas City, The Star confirms: It appears that Kelce turned down more money from other interested teams to return to the Chiefs, per a report.
Former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III to sign with Chiefs: GM Brett Veach told reporters his primary focus this offseason was to get more explosive in the run game.
Cornerback Jaylen Watson will join McDuffie as he signs with Rams: If McDuffie wasn’t enough, both of the Chiefs’ 2025 starting cornerbacks will be playing for LA next season.
Former New England Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to sign with Chiefs: The 29-year-old recorded 17 quarterback pressures and 17 defensive stops in 2025, according to PFF. He also had snaps as a fullback.
Safety Bryan Cook leaves Chiefs for AFC rival Cincinnati Bengals: The 2022 second-rounder just wrapped up his rookie contract with the Chiefs. Now, he returns home.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew has found a new home with the Arizona Cardinals: With Kyler Murray out of the mix in Arizona, Minshew will reportedly sit behind Jacoby Brissett as the Cardinals’ backup. The Chiefs are in need of a backup QB.
Cornerback Joshua Williams is reportedly headed to Tennessee: NFL Network reports he’s on a two-year deal, with another defensive back leaving the KC secondary.
Former Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman to sign with the Chiefs, The Star confirms: Gilman’s snap percentages point to him being a direct replacement for Cook.
The Chiefs are bringing back wide receiver Tyquan Thornton: Thornton first signed with KC on its practice squad in November 2024. Now, the Chiefs are keeping him around.
Running back Isiah Pacheco signs with the Detroit Lions: The former 2022 seventh-rounder has found a new home with Dan Campbell in Detroit, per multiple reports.
Linebacker Leo Chenal is reportedly headed to the Commanders. Jordan Schultz reports the deal is for three years and just shy of $25m.
A pair of defensive linemen, Charles Omenihu and Derrick Nnadi, signed with new teams after the start of the new league year on Wednesday. Omenihu confirmed he will join Chenal on the Commanders, and Nnadi’s agency announced he has landed with the Indianapolis Colts.
A cornerback add: KC signed former Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou, The Star confirms: Kohou missed last season due to a torn ACL but offers the Chiefs an option in the slot.
Running back Emari Demarcado has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Chiefs: Schultz reports the former Arizona Cardinal is on his way to Kansas City.
Offensive guard Mike Caliendo is remaining with the Chiefs: It’s a one-year deal, according to ESPN, which cited Caliendo’s agency.
Wide receiver Hollywood Brown has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal to join the Philadelphia Eagles: Injuries derailed Brown’s first year with the Chiefs, but he was an important weapon early in 2025.