From signings to departures, here's where the Chiefs stand

Chiefs GM Brett Veach was a busy man

The NFL’s new calendar year is officially here.

And with it, any contract agreement over the past two days of open negotiations can be formally executed with the start of free agency.

Here’s an overview of what Chiefs general manager Brett Veach accomplished, as of this writing.

MARKET SPLASHES

The Chiefs were active at the start of the two-day open negotiations period, agreeing to deals with a trio of players:

• Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore: The former San Francisco 49er arguably headlines the list when considering he projects to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blindside.

While Moore, who agreed to a two-year, $30 million deal, only started 12 games over the past four seasons, it’s important to remember he primarily served as All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams’ backup. Moore, who was a three-year starter in college, had the opportunity to watch and learn from one of the NFL’s elite left tackles.

• Running back Elijah Mitchell: The Chiefs needed speed in the backfield, and they certainly got it with Mitchell, who posted a blistering 4.38 40-yard dash time at the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine.

Mitchell, previously with the 49ers, projects to complement Isiah Pacheco’s bruising style in the Chiefs’ new-look backfield. Mitchell, a dual-threat player as a rusher and receiver, agreed to a one-year deal.

• Cornerback Kristian Fulton: The former Los Angeles Charger joins the Chiefs on a two-year, $20 million deal and projects to immediately compete for a starting spot in the team’s base defense. Fulton’s arrival could also provide defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo the flexibility to move Trent McDuffie back to the slot in nickel packages.

INTERNAL MATTERS

The Chiefs previously extended the franchise tender to right guard Trey Smith, which he signed, and re-signed linebacker Nick Bolton and wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown over the past weekend.

Veach also extended qualifying offers to a pair of exclusive-rights free agents, guard Mike Caliendo and punter Matt Araiza.

The Chiefs rounded out the past two days by bringing back long snapper James Winchester, linebacker Cole Christiansen and tight end Robert Tonyan, who spent time on the Chiefs’ practice squad in late December.

Of note, Winchester will enter his 11^th season in a Chiefs’ uniform, making him the second-longest tenured player on the roster behind tight end Travis Kelce.

The Chiefs also cleared cap space by restructuring Mahomes’ and defensive tackle Chris Jones’ contracts, as expected. The two moves created $49.4 million in cap space, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

OFF TO NEW HOMES

The Chiefs traded All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears last week before the start of the two-day open negotiations window and then saw other players from the 2024 roster leave for other teams.

• Safety Justin Reid signed with the New Orleans Saints

• Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton signed with the Carolina Panthers

• Wide receiver Justin Watson signed with the Houston Texans

• Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins joined the Baltimore Ravens

• Running back Samaje Perine signed with the Cincinnati Bengals

Reid’s departure leaves a hole in the back end of coverage, but the Chiefs have capable players to fill the void with safeties Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks.

Wharton, who originally joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri S&T, was a key defensive contributor in Kansas City. Wharton’s feel-good journey saw him total a career-high 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 2024, and he turned the production into a reported three-year, $54 million deal with the Panthers.