The Kansas City Chiefs have already been forced to make some difficult decisions in the name of cap compliance, trading and releasing some players who were key members of the team’s Super Bowl runs.
There could be another big departure from the defense in the coming days, an insider predicts.
The Chiefs have several key defensive players slated to hit free agency, including a safety who is coming off a career-best season. ESPN’s Nate Taylor believes that player, Bryan Cook, has likely played his last down in Kansas City.
Chiefs Face Difficult Decisions in the Secondary
Taylor predicted on Friday that Cook would be the most likely departure for the Chiefs, who face free agency decisions on a number of core players. Taylor added that even a pinnacle season for Cook won’t be enough for the cap-strapped Chiefs to bring him back.
“Safety Bryan Cook had the best season of his four-year career in 2025, recording a career-high six pass breakups and 85 tackles,” Taylor wrote. “He has improved throughout his career, and he offers versatility to his next team, whether as a safety who could be the lone deep defender or as a split safety who could disguise the secondary’s coverage.”
Taylor added that he expected the Chiefs to instead prioritize a different level of their defense.
“In past years, general manager Brett Veach has prioritized strengthening the offensive and defensive lines in free agency,” Taylor wrote. “This year, Veach will likely try to make another push to acquire a quality defensive lineman, someone who can provide a boost to the pass rush alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.”
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