Recapping what the Chiefs did during NFL's negotiation period
General manager Brett Veach was a busy man adding to the roster
The NFL’s two-day negotiation period ends shortly before 3 p.m. CST on Wednesday, which marks the start of the league’s new calendar year.
And with it comes the official start of free agency.
Wednesday afternoon is a mere formality, of course, because most of the heavy lifting has already occurred.
An overwhelming number of splashy moves around the league occur Monday-Tuesday every year when the NFL allows teams to enter contract negotiations with representatives of pending free agents. Some media members refer to the two-day negotiation period as “legal tampering,” which is an oxymoron.
Agreed upon deals, once signed, become official at the start of the NFL’s new calendar year.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and his staff were busy over the past two days with signings, which included a move designed to add much-needed punch to the run game.
Veach wasted little time in the early minutes of Monday’s start of the open-negotiations period by agreeing to terms with former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
The Chiefs then turned to defense, agreeing to terms on deals with former New England Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and former Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman.
Tight end Travis Kelce also agreed to return for a 14th season.
The Chiefs are likely to officially announce the transactions at some point this week.
In the meantime, below is a snapshot of moves affecting the Chiefs roster over the past two days, as of early Wednesday morning.
ADDITIONS
The Chiefs agreed to terms on a three-year, $43 million contract with Walker, who confirmed the news on social media.
The Chiefs reportedly agreed to terms with Tonga on a three-year, $21 million contract.
The Chiefs reportedly agreed to terms with Gilman on a three-year deal worth up to $24 million.
STAYING HOME
Kelce, who turns 37 in October, returns on a one-year deal worth up to a reported $15 million.
WR Tyquan Thornton reportedly returned on a two-year deal worth up to $14 million.
LS James Winchester returns on a one-year deal, a source confirmed with KC Sports Network. Terms were not disclosed. Of note, Kelce and Winchester are the two longest-tenured players on the team’s roster.
WR Nikko Remigio, an exclusive-rights free agent, received a qualifying tender offer, a source confirmed Tuesday night with KC Sports Network. Remigio’s agency on Tuesday night also posted the news on social media.
KEY LOSSES
CB Trent McDuffie traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the start of free agency.
CB Jaylen Watson reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams, joining McDuffie.
CB Joshua Williams reportedly agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.
S Byran Cook reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $40 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. The move represents a homecoming for Cook, who grew up in Cincinnati and played college football there.
QB Gardner Minshew, who served as Patrick Mahomes’ primary backup in 2025, reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year, $8 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
RB Isiah Pacheco reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
LB Leo Chenal reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $24 million deal with the Washington Commanders.
We didn’t offer Chenal over 8 million a year?? Too bad we lost him and we never were going to keep him. And Remigio?? Serious???