KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs open the 2026 NFL regular season against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Friday against the Seattle Seahawks and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest?
One of the biggest differences this season is that the Chiefs are a younger team, especially considering they had three rookies selected in the top 50 draft picks. The defense will be a young group hoping to support pass rusher Chris Jones, defensive end George Karlaftis and linebacker Nick Bolton. The offense received the biggest acquisition in the offseason: running back Kenneth Walker III. And although the Chiefs' passing game struggled last season, the team didn't add any veterans to the position.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Chiefs.
Quarterbacks (3)
Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier
Much of the season comes down to how well Mahomes performs after the most significant injury of his career, the torn ACL and LCL he had surgically repaired in December. Fields is an adequate backup if needed. The Chiefs should spend this year developing Nussmeier to be the long-term backup for the rest of Mahomes' prime.
Running backs (4)
Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith
Walker has been exceptional during training camp. The Chiefs are optimistic that Walker and Johnson can provide explosive gains on the ground. Smith appears ready to be a kickoff returner, and Demercado provides the best option for a third-down back with quality pass-protection skills.
Wide receivers (7)
Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, Cyrus Allen, Nikko Remigio, Andrew Armstrong, Jalen Royals
With no true No. 1 receiver, the Chiefs need plenty of depth at the position, especially since Rice and Worthy are returning from injuries. The biggest surprise in camp has been the emergence of Allen as a pure route runner.
Tight ends (4)
Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Jake Briningstool
If the Chiefs are serious about running the ball more often with Walker, adding more tight ends not named Kelce is a requirement. Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving last year and looks to be in better shape in camp than a year ago. Gray and Wiley need to demonstrate they can be positive when it comes to blocking. Briningstool offers the most potential as a pass catcher in the future.
Offensive linemen (9)
Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jaylon Moore, Kahlil Benson, Esa Pole, Hunter Nourzad, Mike Caliendo
A strong starting group, but the Chiefs lack depth here. Look for them to add an interior player through waivers if the opportunity is there. The Chiefs still don't know who their right tackle is, whether it's five-year veteran Moore or undrafted rookie Benson.
Defensive linemen (9)
George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga, Ashton Gillotte, R Mason Thomas, Peter Woods, Omarr Norman-Lott, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Emmanuel Ogbah
An argument can be made that the biggest improvement on the roster is here. The Chiefs have better depth than they had a year ago after acquiring rookies such as Woods and Thomas. The Chiefs are hoping for a bounce-back performance from Jones and Karlaftis, the pair combining for just 13 sacks a year ago.
Linebackers (5)
Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Jeffrey Bassa, Jack Cochrane, Cooper McDonald
The strength in the defense will rely on the veteran experience of Bolton and Tranquill. Bassa, a second-year player, needs to make a huge leap, perhaps in the second half of the season, for the defense to reach its full potential.
Cornerbacks (6)
Mansoor Delane, Nohl Williams, Chris Roland-Wallace, L'Jarius Sneed, Kristian Fulton, Jadon Canady
In one offseason, the Chiefs swapped out Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson for Delane, a rookie, and Williams, a second-year player. Sneed is an intriguing option if he can stay healthy, and Roland-Wallace should receive the bulk of the snaps at nickel. If a team needs a veteran cornerback later this season, a trade option for them could be Fulton, who was steady late last season.
Safeties (3)
Alohi Gilman, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks
Longtime defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs all three players to stay healthy and productive for him to be his most creative with his dime personnel. The Chiefs will have to find out if Gilman can be a true free safety that can prevent long completions. Hicks has a chance to be a breakout star.
Special teams (3)
Harrison Butker (K), Matt Araiza (P), James Winchester (LS)
The unit remains the same from last year. The Chiefs will need Butker to return to form after he missed a career-high nine kicks -- five field goals and four extra-point attempts -- a year ago.
