2026 Kansas City Chiefs Team Preview

By Brian Murphy, Thursday, July 30, 2026 1:07:12 PM EDT

The Chiefs came into last season with nine consecutive AFC West titles,
with three straight appearances in the Super Bowl (two wins).
Unfortunately, their mediocre offense could no longer be masked by
Patrick Mahomes pulling out fourth-quarter wins in tight games. Kansas
City (6-11) failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Andy Reid has been an NFL head coach for 27 years, ranking him fourth
all-time in wins (279), 49 victories behind Don Shula and within 23 wins
of Bill Belichick. He has a 28 -17 record in the postseason, with three
Super Bowl titles.
Kansas City brought back Eric Bieniemy to their offense, a job he held
from 2018 to 2022. The Chiefs also gave him five seasons of
experience as their running back coach. Bieniemy spent 2023 and
2024 as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator f or the
Washington Commanders and UCLA Bruins. He spent last season
revamping the Bears’ running back position. Kansas City slipped to 18th
in points scored (362) and 18th in offensive yards (5,759) while playing
three games without Patrick Mahomes.
Steve Spagnuolo has run Kansas City’s defense over the past seven
seasons. He’s been a part of four Super Bowl -winning teams,
highlighted by taking down the undefeated New England Patriots in
2007 with the New York Giants. In 2023 and 2024, the Chiefs rank ed
second (294) and fourth (326) in points allowed, while falling to seventh
last season (328 points) and eighth in yards allowed (5,284).

Offense

The Chiefs continue to be a pass -first offense, highlighted by them
passing the ball 57.6% of the time, aligning with 2024 (57.1%). Kansas
City ranked 25th last year in rushing yards (1,812). They gained 4.2
yards per carry, with 15 scores on the ground. The Chiefs finished with
a league-low three runs of 20 yards or more, with none reaching the 40-
yard mark.
Kansas City slipped to 16th in passing yards (3,947). Their offensive
line allowed 47 sacks, leading to continued weakness in yards per pass
attempt (6.8). Their quarterbacks finished with 23 passing touchdowns
and 12 interceptions, with an uninspiring quarterback rating (86.6).
Quarterbacks

QB Patrick Mahomes, KC

Patrick Mahomes projects for 3873 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, and 12 INTs, with 246 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.

QB Justin Fields, KC

Justin Fields projects for 159 passing yards, 1 passing TDs, and 1 INTs, with 55 rushing yards and 1 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.

RB Emari Demercado, KC

Emari Demercado projects for 18 carries for 83 yards and 0 TDs, plus 2 catches for 17 yards and 0 TDs in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.

RB Emmett Johnson, KC

Emmett Johnson projects for 79 carries for 317 yards and 1 TDs, plus 22 catches for 154 yards and 1 TDs in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.

RB Brashard Smith, KC

Brashard Smith projects for 22 carries for 90 yards and 0 TDs, plus 15 catches for 104 yards and 1 TDs in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.

RB Kenneth Walker, KC

Kenneth Walker projects for 265 carries for 1137 yards and 9 TDs, plus 42 catches for 304 yards and 2 TDs in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.

WR Rashee Rice, KC

Rashee Rice projects for 97 catches for 1122 yards and 9 TDs in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.

WR Xavier Worthy, KC

Xavier Worthy projects for 10 carries for 767 yards and 1 TDs, plus 63 catches for 767 yards and 6 TDs in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.