The Kansas City Chiefs are approaching the 2026 season with a clear willingness to adapt and explore calculated risks across multiple areas of the roster. From a dramatic offseason transformation at left tackle to renewed interest in veteran wide receiver help, the organization is sending a message that it is not content to simply run it back. These developments reflect both the challenges of the modern NFL and the specific needs created by Patrick Mahomes’ continued excellence.
Josh Simmons has emerged as one of the most intriguing stories of the offseason. The young left tackle has undergone a significant physical transformation, dropping from 317 pounds at the NFL Combine to a current listing between 285 and 290 pounds. His stated goal is to reach 300 pounds by the start of the regular season. If he hits that target, he would be among the lightest starting left tackles in recent years. This is not a casual decision. It represents a deliberate bet on athleticism, quickness, and endurance over traditional bulk at the position.
Head coach Andy Reid has expressed full support for the approach. He has praised Simmons’ strength and athleticism while emphasizing the importance of functional weight and conditioning rather than simply adding mass. Reid wants to see Simmons on the field for all 17 regular-season games, and the lighter frame is viewed as a way to improve endurance and recovery. The focus remains on lower-body strength, core stability, and technique. Simmons is not sacrificing power for the sake of being lighter; he is attempting to optimize his body for the demands of protecting Mahomes against the modern pass rush.
The potential benefits are significant. Edge rushers across the league, and particularly in the AFC West, have trended toward speed and explosiveness. Players like Nick Bonito, Max Crosby, and Khalil Mack can stress tackles with quick first steps and varied rush plans. A lighter, more conditioned Simmons should have quicker feet and better ability to mirror those rushers throughout a game. Last season, in limited action, Simmons posted a respectable 75.5 pass-blocking grade while allowing just two sacks and 18 pressures in eight games. The athletic traits that made him a high draft pick remain intact.
The obvious question is whether he can still anchor against power rushers who try to bull rush or “big boy” him. That remains to be seen on the field. However, the NFL has been trending toward more athletic, less massive tackles for several years as offenses and defenses have evolved. Simmons appears to be leaning into that trend rather than fighting it. His freakish strength was a major part of his pre-draft profile, and that strength has not disappeared simply because he lost body fat. The key will be whether he can translate that strength through improved technique and leverage once the pads come on.
While the offensive line receives significant attention, the pass rush is another area where improvement is needed. Ashton Gelotti enters his second season with clear aspirations for a major leap. Last year’s production was modest, with 1.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits, though he showed encouraging flashes late in the season. The Chiefs as a team finished just 22nd in sacks, a disappointing mark for a defense that has historically generated consistent pressure.
Gelotti has been more proactive in his development this offseason. He has spent additional time communicating with George Karloftis and has gained a deeper understanding of Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme. The biggest difference he has noted is experience. As a rookie, the speed of the NFL and the complexities of the defense led to some overthinking and sloppy movement. With a full year under his belt, he now feels more comfortable letting his instincts take over. That confidence, combined with better scheme mastery, positions him for the kind of year-two jump that many young edge rushers experience.
The Chiefs need Gelotti to become a reliable multi-down contributor opposite Karloftis. R. Mason Thomas represents a different prototype than what Spagnuolo has traditionally utilized, so the team will need time to determine his optimal role. Having Gelotti take a significant step forward would provide much-needed consistency to a pass rush that lacked it at times last season. Year two is often when the game slows down for young defenders, and Gelotti appears determined to make that the case for himself.
On the offensive side, the wide receiver room remains a topic of ongoing discussion. Stefon Diggs has been cleared by the NFL following an investigation into a personal conduct matter, with the league finding insufficient evidence of a violation. This development reopens the possibility of Diggs signing with a new team, and some analysts have connected him to both the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams. Diggs remains a productive player who has posted seven 1,000-yard seasons in 11 years, including a strong bounce-back campaign. He is still an excellent route runner who wins on in-breaking routes and provides inside-out versatility.
The appeal for Kansas City is obvious. The Chiefs have sometimes struggled to create consistent separation at the wide receiver position. Diggs could immediately help in that area while also bringing toughness over the middle. Pairing him with Eric Bieniemy would provide structure and accountability that could maximize his production. While some fans have raised concerns about Diggs’ playoff performances or perceived drama, every wide receiver brings some level of personality to a roster. The presence of Mahomes changes the equation dramatically, as he has consistently elevated the players around him throughout his career.
The primary obstacle remains cap space. Diggs’ projected market would likely require the Chiefs to create room through a restructure or other maneuver. If they can make the financials work, the fit appears strong on paper. Diggs would not need to be the alpha receiver; he would need to be a complementary weapon who wins in specific areas of the field. That role aligns with what he has done successfully in recent seasons.
The Tyreek Hill reunion conversation continues to generate strong opinions as well. Some fans are advocating for a two-year, incentive-heavy contract if Hill can demonstrate he is healthy and on track. The appeal of bringing back the player who once formed such a dynamic connection with Mahomes is understandable. However, the medical picture remains murky. Reports about his rehabilitation have been inconsistent, with conflicting information coming from Hill himself and his agent. The knee injury that limited him last season directly threatens the explosiveness and cutting ability that define his game.
Any deal for Hill would need to be structured with a low base salary and significant performance incentives, similar to other recent veteran acquisitions. That approach would limit the team’s risk while giving Hill every opportunity to prove he can still contribute at a high level. Until there is greater clarity on his recovery timeline and long-term durability, caution remains the prudent approach. The Chiefs have shown a willingness to take calculated, low-risk swings on proven veterans when the price is right. Hill could fit that profile if the medical evaluation is favorable.
These various threads, Simmons’ physical transformation, Gelotti’s anticipated development, the renewed availability of Diggs, and the ongoing Hill discussion, reflect an organization that is actively trying to strengthen its roster around its franchise quarterback. The NFL rewards teams that adapt to the evolving nature of the game while also addressing their specific roster needs. The Chiefs appear to be doing both.
Protecting Mahomes remains the top priority, and Simmons’ attempt to optimize his body for that responsibility is a notable development. Improving the pass rush through young player growth is essential for defensive balance. Adding a veteran receiver who can create separation and win in the intermediate game would give the offense more options and reduce the burden on any single player. Each of these moves carries some degree of uncertainty, but they also represent thoughtful attempts to solve real problems.
As training camp approaches, these storylines will begin to resolve themselves on the field. Simmons will be tested against live rushers. Gelotti will have the opportunity to show whether his increased confidence and scheme understanding translate into consistent production. Any decisions regarding Diggs or Hill will depend on both the medical evaluations and the team’s ability to create the necessary cap space. What is already clear is that the Chiefs are not standing still. They are making adjustments and exploring options with the goal of giving themselves the best possible chance to compete at the highest level.
The combination of youth development and veteran reinforcement, when executed well, can create the kind of roster depth and balance that sustains success over multiple seasons. Whether these specific moves ultimately deliver remains to be seen, but the direction and intent are encouraging. Chiefs fans have reason to follow these developments closely as the offseason continues to unfold.
