Full List of Kansas City Chiefs Players Whose Contracts Expire After Sunday’s Game

Full List of Kansas City Chiefs Players Whose Contracts Expire After Sunday’s Game — And Why It Could Change Everything

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to take the field this Sunday, the spotlight isn’t only on the scoreboard. Behind the scenes, a major roster shakeup could be looming. Several Chiefs players are set to see their contracts expire immediately after the game, raising serious questions about the franchise’s future direction, salary cap strategy, and roster stability.

With Kansas City balancing championship expectations, cap pressure, and long-term planning, this list of expiring contracts may define the offseason before it even begins.

Why This Matters Now

The Chiefs are no strangers to tough roster decisions. Success comes at a price, and maintaining a Super Bowl–caliber team often means saying goodbye to familiar faces. As contracts expire, the front office must decide who is worth re-signing — and who may be playing their final snaps in red and gold.

For some players, Sunday’s game could be more than just another matchup. It could be an audition for their future — whether in Kansas City or elsewhere.

Chiefs Players with Contracts Expiring After Sunday

Here is the full list of Kansas City Chiefs players whose contracts are set to expire following the game:

Jaylen Watson (CB)
A key contributor in the secondary, Watson has stepped up in big moments and earned praise for his physicality and coverage skills. His future could depend on how the Chiefs prioritize defensive spending.
Mike Edwards (S)
A veteran presence in the defensive backfield, Edwards has provided experience and depth. The question is whether Kansas City will invest in youth or retain proven reliability.
Donovan Smith (OT)
Protecting Patrick Mahomes is always a top priority. Smith’s contract status makes his performance under the microscope, especially with offensive line continuity at stake.
Jerick McKinnon (RB)
A fan favorite and playoff performer, McKinnon’s versatility has been invaluable. However, age and cap considerations could complicate a reunion.
Drue Tranquill (LB)
One of the defense’s most consistent voices, Tranquill has become a locker-room leader. Letting him walk could leave a noticeable leadership gap.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)
Once a first-round pick, Edwards-Helaire’s Chiefs journey has been a roller coaster. His contract expiration could mark the end of an era — or a surprising return.

(Note: Final status subject to team options, extensions, or renegotiations.)

The Salary Cap Reality

Kansas City faces a familiar dilemma: elite talent demands elite money. With massive contracts already tied up in cornerstone players, every re-signing must be carefully calculated. Even productive contributors can become cap casualties in a league built on constant turnover.

Letting players walk isn’t always about performance — it’s about math.

What Sunday’s Game Really Means

For fans, Sunday is about wins and losses. For players with expiring contracts, it’s about leverage, tape, and timing. A strong performance could mean a new deal. A quiet game could mean a fresh start elsewhere.

Coaches may say they treat every game the same — but players know what’s at stake.

A Turning Point for the Roster

Every championship team eventually reaches a crossroads. The Chiefs are approaching one again. Decisions made in the coming weeks will shape the locker room, the depth chart, and the team’s identity moving forward.

Some players will stay. Others won’t. And the fallout could ripple into free agency, the draft, and even future Super Bowl runs.

Final Thought

As the final whistle blows on Sunday, it may also signal the end of the road for several Chiefs players. In the NFL, loyalty is tested by contracts — and legacies can change overnight.

Who deserves another shot in Kansas City — and who should the Chiefs be ready to let go?