For the first time in over a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs are drafting from discomfort — not dominance.
No playoff run. No late February parade. Just pressure.
And four massive questions that could redefine the next era in Arrowhead.
4 Combine Questions That Could Reshape the Chiefs’ Future
This February feels unfamiliar in Kansas City.
Instead of decompressing after another deep postseason run, Chiefs coaches have been locked in draft rooms since early January. Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014 forced a reset — and now, the Combine isn’t routine. It’s critical.
General manager Brett Veach didn’t sugarcoat it.
“We had a step back last year, and everyone’s disappointed,” he said. “But everyone’s motivated… now we’re trying to rebuild this thing again.”
That word — rebuild — hits differently in Kansas City.
Here are the four questions quietly shaping the Chiefs’ draft board this week in Indianapolis.
1️⃣ Who Replaces the Stars Who Stayed in School?
The NIL era just changed everything.
Veach revealed that when underclassmen finalized their decisions to return to college, the Chiefs had to remove more than 25 players from their draft board — players graded in the top 75 to top 100.
That’s seismic.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith? Returning.
Oregon defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington? Staying put.
Instead of injecting elite youth into the draft pool, college football’s financial freedom has turned into a “poor man’s free agency,” forcing NFL teams to recalibrate.
“You’re getting older prospects as you go on,” Veach said. “That’s something we have to adapt to.”
Translation: the board looks different. And maybe thinner at the top.
2️⃣ Will Travis Kelce Return?
This might be the biggest domino in the building.
Veach admitted the Chiefs are operating with two blueprints: one with Travis Kelce playing a 14th season, and one without him.
If Kelce returns, the roster leans veteran.
If he retires, the urgency at tight end skyrockets.
Noah Gray’s future hangs in the balance. A nearly $7 million cap hit makes him expendable if Kelce stays — but essential if Kelce walks away.
And this draft class? It’s deep at tight end.
Kansas City would love clarity before free agency ramps up in two weeks. Because Kelce’s decision doesn’t just affect one position — it shifts cap space, draft strategy, and even locker room identity.
3️⃣ Does the Prospect Love Football — and Fit the Culture?
After a rare step back, Andy Reid made something clear: talent alone isn’t enough.
“There’s a certain expectation that we’ve got,” Reid said. “We didn’t reach that this past year.”
That’s not about 40-yard dash times. That’s about mindset.
The Chiefs want players who hate losing. Who cherish preparation. Who can handle the pressure that comes with being attached to Patrick Mahomes and a championship standard.
The Combine interviews matter more this year. Character checks matter more. Competitive edge matters more.
Because Kansas City isn’t just drafting skill. They’re drafting hunger.
4️⃣ Can This Draft Keep Them from Picking This High Again?
Here’s the reality: the Chiefs are drafting earlier than they’re used to — in every round.
And they don’t want to make it a habit.
“We don’t want to be picking at 9 every year,” Veach said.
That’s both a warning and an opportunity.
For years, Kansas City picked at the back end of each round. Now, they’re positioned to add premium talent not just on Day 1 — but on Day 2 and Day 3 as well.
In past drafts, Veach admitted they’d see five or six players they loved but knew they’d never reach at pick 32.
This year? Those players might be there.
That makes this draft weekend potentially franchise-altering.
A Different Kind of Urgency
The Chiefs’ dynasty isn’t collapsing — but it’s being tested.
A missed postseason forces evaluation. Forces humility. Forces aggression.
Now, instead of maintaining a contender, Kansas City is trying to reload it.
And if they nail free agency and this draft class?
The 2025 stumble becomes a footnote.
Miss again?
The AFC won’t wait.
For the first time in years, the Combine feels like a pivot point in Kansas City.
And the board has never mattered more.
Leave a Reply