Ranking Chiefs’ free-agency departures by how badly they’ll be missed

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 14: Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) runs onto the field before an NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 14, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In this golden age of Kansas City Chiefs football, any departures from the franchise are likely to leave a legacy in the franchise's history, big or small.

This offseason, eight of the Chiefs' unrestricted free agents have found new homes to continue their NFL careers. Seven of the eight players won a Super Bowl in Kansas City, taking the championship experience with them and leaving the Chiefs to find the next difference-making role players for their spots.

The team has officially said farewell to the following players, ranked by how badly each will be missed by the Chiefs moving forward. All counts of vacated snaps are from the 2025 regular season.

1. Cornerback Jaylen Watson

New team:Los Angeles Rams

Vacated snaps: 868 on defense (96% of unit snaps)

From the 99-yard pick six to the Super Bowl wins, it's been real @JaylenWatson12. Thanks for everything! pic.twitter.com/58T5fIg3Dz

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 13, 2026

From Watson's first-career start in Week 2 of 2022 - a game that featured him returning an interception 99 yards for a score to help secure victory over the Los Angeles Chargers - he has constantly been a reliable option to man the boundary, even before becoming a full-time starter during the 2024 season.

He provided stability and high-floor performance at the position that stood out the most whenever he was sidelined with injury over the last two years. Watson will be difficult to replace, considering how uniquely consistent he was at one of football's most volatile positions.

The blitz forced two interceptable passes. One was dropped on the opening drive, but Watson secured this one#Chiefs show Cover 1 man pre snap, but it turns into a zone blitz w/ Cover 2 behind it. Lawrence thinks he's trying a 1v1, but Watson's zone turn sets him up for INT pic.twitter.com/EjqeISvorH

- Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) January 25, 2023

Legacy play: A one-handed interception to help close out the Chiefs' Divisional round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars during his rookie season (2022).

2. Linebacker Leo Chenal

New team:Washington Commanders

Vacated snaps: 441 defensive snaps (42% of possible snaps) and 227 snaps for special teams

It's been a heck of a run, @lchenal54. Thank you for everything! pic.twitter.com/FbaP0YWIqe

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 13, 2026

Chenal may have been the third linebacker on the depth chart, narrowed into a role that didn't require even a 50% snap rate, but he was a difference maker. On early downs, Chenal could defend the run from any position in the front seven - even along the interior of the defensive line.

His elite play-strength allowed the Chiefs to be more unpredictable in run-defense strategy than defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo typically is; it was a big factor in the top-10 run defense of 2025 and previous years.

His unique skill set is what puts him so high on this list. He is arguably the hardest player to replace in terms of how he was utilized, but the linebacker position is still in good hands with starters Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill, who took a pay cut last week to seemingly stick around for 2026.

IT'S BLOCKED! @CHIEFS WIN! STILL UNDEFEATED! pic.twitter.com/hMLhAgbRpf

- NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Legacy play: Blocking the Denver Broncos' game-winning field goal attempt to remain undefeated - advancing to 9-0 - during the 2024 season.

3. Safety Bryan Cook

New team:Cincinnati Bengals

Vacated snaps: 858 defensive snaps (83% of possible snaps) and 65 snaps for special teams

Here's to you, B. Cook. Thank you for everything! pic.twitter.com/09xaq9AEwH

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 14, 2026

While Cook developed into a key member of the Chiefs' defense by his fourth and final season with the team, he is a player the coaching staff and front office should feel confident in replacing.

He was the team's primary free safety in 2025, finishing one defended pass shy (6) of the team lead. He was a sure tackler, but overall, the skills he brought to Kansas City are simpler to find through free agency, like veteran safety Alohi Gilman and his over-the-top skills - or the draft, where this year's safety class is littered with sure tacklers.

THREAD: There is a path to Bryan Cook breaking out as a starter for the #Chiefs in 2023

Even w/ the addition of Mike Edwards, Cook progressed as a player throughout his rookie szn, ending strong w/ the tipped up INT in AFCCG

Got good glimpses of his play making around the ball pic.twitter.com/pwvXkmHcla

- Ron Kopp Jr (@RonOnChiefs) June 7, 2023

Legacy play: Tipping up a fourth-quarter pass by Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow that allowed cornerback Joshua Williams to make a significant interception in the AFC Championship victory during his rookie year.

4. Defensive end Charles Omenihu

New team:Washington Commanders

Vacated snaps: 568 snaps (55% of possible defensive snaps)

ChiefsKingdom thanks you, @charless_94! pic.twitter.com/fniWumCwdo

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 14, 2026

The team needed to make way for a youth movement along the defensive line, but Omenihu's ideal length and alignment versatility made him a decent-sized cog in Spagnuolo's machine. Look for a draft pick or lowkey signing to fit Omenihu's skillset.

CHIEFS STRIP SACK.

: #KCvsBAL on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/IIZbdmhqNSpic.twitter.com/oFH0mpU6xD

- NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024

Legacy play: The strip sack of Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson during the AFC Championship win in the 2023 season.

5. Running back Isiah Pacheco

New team:Detroit Lions

Vacated snaps: 424 snaps (38% of possible offensive snaps)

From 7th-round pick to two-time Super Bowl champ Thank you, Isiah! pic.twitter.com/Emij941CKu

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 13, 2026

Unfortunately to him, Pacheco represents the team's lack of investment in the backfield since he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He is a spark-providing runner that feels better suited as a change of pace to Lions' running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

BIG PLAY: Isiah Pacheco 39-yd rush .. 1st & Goal#Jaguars 7 #Chiefs 10 2 pic.twitter.com/DASAW8hxdN

- Ss 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 21, 2023

Legacy play: The 39-yard run - still the longest of his playoff career - against the Jaguars during his rookie season that lifted an offense temporarily led by backup quarterback Chad Henne.

6. Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi

New team:Indianapolis Colts

Vacated snaps: 308 defensive snaps (38% of possible snaps) and 64 snaps on special teams

Nicehavingyou, @DerrickNnadi.Thanksfor everything! pic.twitter.com/kMnK5JQmlx

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 16, 2026

This isn't the first time Nnadi has signed elsewhere in his NFL career: the New York Jets originally signed him last offseason before a preseason trade landed him back in Kansas City. The soon-to-be 30-year old has been a reliable part of the nose-tackle rotation, but the team should feel good in replacing Nnadi's impact with free-agent signing Khyiris Tonga.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi has sponsored the adoptions of more than 500 dogs in the past four years.

Many of these dogs did, or could have, fallen into the "at risk" category, meaning they were candidates for euthanasia.

Amazing pic.twitter.com/zib52w0xmV

- ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) May 20, 2024

Legacy play: Aside from being a constant presence in the middle of the Chiefs' run defense during the first two Super Bowl runs, Nnadi might have left his biggest mark on Kansas City's dog community.

7. Cornerback Joshua Williams

New team:Tennessee Titans

Vacated snaps: 17 defensive snaps and 256 snaps on special teams

Played hard. Laughed hard. Thanks for the memories, @Jwilliofficial! pic.twitter.com/1oaXvZHJsm

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 13, 2026

Williams went from inconsistent cornerback to inconsistent special-teams player, leading to the departure. He shares a Legacy play with Cook, finishing off the game-changing turnover initiated by his teammate to seal a trip to Super Bowl LVII.

8. Quarterback Gardner Minshew

New team:Arizona Cardinals

Vacated snaps: 41 on offense

Chiefs Kingdom appreciates you, @GardnerMinshew5. Thanks for everything! pic.twitter.com/G7fxX8gAKC

- Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 15, 2026

With very limited chance to do so, Minshew did not prove to be a significant option to fill in for the injured Mahomes; he threw a game-ending - and season-ending - interception within minutes of replacing him in Week 15.