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The Kansas City Chiefs began their organized team activities on May 26, but wide receiver Rashee Rice will not be in attendance after violating his probation. He will also miss the team’s mandatory minicamp in June while serving a 30-day jail sentence.

While Rice’s absence provides an opportunity for other receivers to step up and master the offense, it also means Kansas City’s scoring attack will be missing another key aspect. Ultimately, the Chiefs may feel like they have no choice but to strengthen their WR corps, possibly via trade.

according to Sports IllustratedAccording to Albert Breer, the Chiefs could “circle back” to a trade for Philadelphia Eagles receiver AJ Brown. Previous reports have suggested that it is “somewhat understandable” that the Eagles are trading Brown, but the assumption is that the Pro Bowl wideout will head to the New England Patriots, where he will reunite with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel.

Still, without submitting a trade to the NFL, there is always a chance for a team like the Chiefs to “circle back” and make a stronger offer than the Patriots for the Browns.

Additionally, the Chiefs were a popular choice to select a receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s possible the draft board didn’t stack up the way Chiefs general manager Brett Veach wanted, so he ended up with cornerback Mansur Delaney and defensive tackle Peter Woods on the first night.

If the Chiefs do indeed have a receiver high on their target list ahead of draft night, it’s certainly possible that Kansas City will make a strong effort for the impact receiver before training camp begins on July 21.

RELATED: 5 Kansas City Chiefs targets to keep an eye on as Rashee Rice situation evolves

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The Kansas City Chiefs may face uncertainty at wide receiver as the Rashee Rice situation continues to evolve. With questions regarding depth and reliability in the passing game, the team may need to explore outside options this offseason.

Here are five wide receiver targets the Chiefs could pursue to bolster their offense ahead of the 2026-27 NFL season.

AJ Brown – Elite WR1 Upgrade for Kansas City

AJ Brown would be an elite WR1 for an offense in desperate need of big impact players. The Browns would need a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, but the New England Patriots are the most likely outcome at this point. However, with Rice’s status becoming more uncertain, the Chiefs could step back and make a surprise trade in June.

Tyreek Hill – Speed ​​reunion possibility for the Chiefs offense

Tyreek Hill and Kansas City could be in for a reunion this offseason. After recovering from a season-ending knee injury, Hill is looking for a new team and the Chiefs are a perfect fit. The organization lacks depth at wide receiver, and Hill could use a speed boost with Xavier Worthy. It seems like a reunion is likely, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see Hill back in red.

Stefon Diggs – proven route technician and experienced target

Stefon Diggs will be a much-needed presence for Patrick Mahomes next season. Diggs is looking for a new home after being released by the Patriots due to financial reasons. The 32-year-old wide receiver is a reliable middle-of-the-field target who will thrive in the Chiefs’ offense. With Diggs looking to win a Super Bowl, this would be the perfect landing spot.

Keenan Allen – Reliable chain-mover in the passing game

Keenan Allen signing with the Chiefs would be the worst-case scenario for the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen has built a legacy in Los Angeles, but he hasn’t won any Super Bowls. If the 34-year-old wide receiver joins Mahomes in Kansas City, he will become a reliable target to move the chains in the passing game. Allen may be too loyal to the Chargers, but he would be an excellent pickup.

Deebo Samuel – Versatile Weapon for Creative Playcalling

Deebo Samuel will give the Chiefs more flexibility on offense. Samuel won’t be a flashy signee like Hill or Diggs, but he will give head coach Andy Reid a bigger playbook with creative playcalling. The 30-year-old wide receiver has some injury risk, but it could pay off if he stays healthy. Kansas City needs depth, and Samuel would be a good solution.

READ MORE: Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice will miss mandatory practice due to jail time

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Some would argue that the Kansas City Chiefs were a little thin at the top of their wide receiver corps ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy lead the group, but those two starters are still a bit unproven at the NFL level.

The Chiefs were viewed as a candidate to select a receiver in the first round of the draft. They opted not to do this, instead giving the defense a big boost by going with cornerback Mansur Delaney and defensive tackle Peter Woods. Kansas City, meanwhile, did not select a receiver until the fifth round of the draft.

Now the Chiefs’ already thin receiver room will become even more inexperienced during the team’s OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Rice, 26, will serve 30 days in jail “in May 2024 as part of pleading guilty to felony counts of causing serious bodily injury in a multicar crash in Dallas and felony counts of causing bodily injury by running on a highway.”

Previous reports suggested that Rice had violated his probation after allegedly testing positive for marijuana.

Either way, Rice has been ordered to spend 30 days in jail, meaning he’s in line to miss the Chiefs’ OTAs and mandatory minicamp.

Kansas City’s OTAs run from May 26-28 and June 1-3. The team’s mandatory minicamp will run from June 9-11. Based on reports from the Dallas County, Texas Criminal District Court, Rice is scheduled to be released from custody on June 16.

His expected absence will give other Chiefs receivers a chance to gain some valuable reps, yet Kansas City could still add another pass-catcher, potentially reuniting with an old friend.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

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This is Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s 10th season with final decisions on the roster. They have produced three Super Bowl champions in the process. Except, Veach had a big task this offseason after the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

With free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the bulk of that work has already been completed. Still, now that the Chiefs have 90 players on the roster, Kansas City will have some tough decisions to make when it comes time to trim the roster down to 53 players.

something, like athleticKey insider Jesse Newell believes Kansas City could land a player from its 2025 NFL Draft class. Specifically, Newell believes the additions of Kenneth Walker III, Imari Demercado and fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson could make 2025 seventh-round running back Brashard Smith expendable.

The Chiefs made Smith the 228th pick last year. He ran the ball 44 times for 151 yards, caught 25 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown. He’s still only 23, but clearly, Walker is the immediate and future head forward in Kansas City, and Johnson could be part of the solution, offering help on third downs as well.

Walker and Johnson’s roster spots are absolutely safe. That means Smith, Demercado, and undrafted newcomers Jaden Ott and EJ Smith, son of Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith, could all find themselves fighting for a roster spot and an extra slot on the practice squad.

RELATED: Kansas City Chiefs predicted to sign first-team All-Pro

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The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the most active teams in the National Football League this off-season, realigning the supporting cast around Patrick Mahomes. Now that training camp is just a few months away, another step could be taken.

On this weekend’s SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler named the Chiefs as a team to watch that could still add a wide receiver via NFL free agency.

The early Chiefs offseason moves focused primarily on retaining key parts of the offense in addition to the signing of running back Kenneth Walker III. Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, free-agent signings no longer impact compensatory selections.

There are still some pass-catching options available on the open market. Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs stands out as the top option, especially because of his legal troubles. The club could also pursue someone like Deebo Samuel or Curtis Samuel, adding another receiving threat to the Chiefs’ offense.

There’s also the possibility of a reunion with Tyreek Hill. However, he is still trying to recover from an ACL injury and a dislocated kneecap. The 32-year-old had shown signs of a comeback before the injury, so Kansas City will be taking some risks if he shows signs of being healthy.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Before the 2026 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs were viewed as a bit unpredictable. Some thought they would move up for blue-chip talent, and Kansas City did so, moving up to No. 6 to select LSU cornerback Mansur Delaney.

Others thought the Chiefs would select a cornerback, edge rusher, offensive tackle or wide receiver in the first round. While the Chiefs added a CB and later a defensive tackle with Clemson’s Peter Woods, Kansas City did not add a receiver until the fifth round.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs are hoping to return to the postseason in 2026; They may not want to wait for more developmental opportunities to reach their potential. How about signing a proven receiver who can definitely help Patrick Mahomes right away?

recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breer of the NFL predicted that the Chiefs could still be the final landing spot for current free agent Tyreek Hill. The former Chiefs wideout was released by the Miami Dolphins in February, and his market has remained cold since then.

The 32-year-old will definitely be playing football for an NFL team this season, and it’s likely he would prefer to land with a contender. So, why not consider reuniting with a team he already knows, one that still has the same head coach and quarterback he won a Super Bowl with?

Hill hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2023, but the Chiefs know what type of competitor he is. If a deal comes to fruition, at a reasonable rate, Hill could become one of Kansas City’s best offseason additions.

RELATED: 4 Best Stefon Diggs Landing Spots After the NFL Draft

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The Kansas City Chiefs WAG squad just added a new rookie to the roster. George Karlaftis officially put on the ring when he married his high school girlfriend Kaia Harris on Saturday, May 9, at the luxury One & Only Esthesis.

The couple said “I do” in a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony, paying homage to Karlaftis’s roots. The two-time Super Bowl champion spent his early years in Athens before moving to the state at age 13, making the wedding a full-circle moment straight out of the championship playbook.

Inside George Karlaftis and Kaia Harris’ Greek wedding

People dumped the full wedding day photo on Instagram, giving fans an inside look at George Karlaftis and Kaia Harris’s big day, with the caption: “NFL Player George Karlaftis Is Married!”.

And while Karlaftis is known for bringing pressure on the field, the Chiefs star admitted he almost bowed down emotionally at the altar. “I think my favorite part was the ceremony because I got really emotional, more than I expected,” he told People. “I didn’t expect to cry so much during the ceremony. When I saw Kaia and her dad walk down the aisle I started crying so hard.”

The wedding turned into a full-on Chiefs reunion, with 220 guests in attendance, including current and former teammates, coaches from both Purdue and Kansas City. Plus the couple’s longtime MVP pup, 8-year-old Ralph.

Even the NFL’s most talked-about power couple made the guest list. Reports claim Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were on the dance floor all night celebrating their partner’s big win off the field.

Karlaftis and Harris’ love story began long before the NFL lights. The two first met each other as teammates on their high school track team in West Lafayette, Indiana. Bond over their shared work ethic, trust and loyalty. Both later attended Purdue University, before Karlaftis, last heard from in April 2025, proposed while the pair were relaxing in bed watching TV.

What’s next after saying “I do”? The newlyweds are hoping to build their own dynasty. Saying they are most excited about “starting a family” and “building a life together.”

Harris, a former discus throw competitor turned marketing professional, has been by Karlaftis’ side since making their relationship public in 2021. Five years before they officially tied the knot.

After the confetti settled, the newlyweds continued the festivities with a honeymoon stay in the coastal Greek city of Porto Cheli.

The annual NFL Draft is an exciting time in the football world. This is an event that is guaranteed to add talent to each team’s roster. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs placed a heavy emphasis on strengthening a defense that already ranked sixth in points allowed in 2025.

Of the seven players selected by Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, four were defensemen, and the team’s final three selections were all offensive prospects. The Chiefs also drafted a quarterback, taking LSU’s Garrett Nussmeyer in the seventh round with the 249th overall selection.

Naturally, Nussmeyer’s arrival means another Chiefs quarterback will have to step up. It won’t be Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and it also won’t be former first-round pick Justin Fields, whom the team signed in free agency this offseason.

On Monday, the Chiefs announced they have released QB Jake Hanner from the roster. The 27-year-old signed with the New Orleans Saints as the 127th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

He remained with the Saints for two seasons before being released just before the start of the 2025 league year. Hayner spent the bulk of last season working out on the Saints’ practice squad. Once the offseason arrived, the Chiefs immediately signed him to a contract. Yet, now nearly three months later, the Chiefs have decided they want to move forward with a QB group consisting of Mahomes, Fields, Nussmeyer and Chris Oladokun.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

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The Kansas City Royals enter the 2026 season with aspirations of competing for a playoff spot. Now more than 25 games into the season, they are tied for the second-worst record in the American League and seem destined to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline.

Examining the team situation, MLB insider Robert Murray shared his belief that All-Star pitcher Chris Bubick will be traded by the Royals this summer.

READ MORE: MLB Power Rankings Week 4, Royals keep falling

“The Royals are struggling. Bubic is in the final season of his contract. All the ingredients for a potential deadline trade. Bubic’s track record will appeal to teams. A left-hander, he posted a 2.67 ERA in 27 games in 2024. He posted a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts last season. His numbers have declined slightly this season, with a 4.08 ERA in five starts, but he’s allowing less Has hits (six hits per nine innings) and slightly more strikeouts per nine innings (9.1 this season; 9 last season). If the Royals’ decline continues, Bubic is almost certain to be traded.

Robert Murray on whether the Kansas City Royals will trade Kris Bubic

• Chris Bubic contract (Spotrac): $6.15 million salary in 2026, MLB free agent in 2026-27

Bubic, who won’t turn 29 until Aug. 19, earned his first All-Star selection with Kansas City last season. The 6-foot-3 southpaw excelled on the mound in 2025, posting a 2.55 ERA with a 24.4 percent strikeout rate and holding opponents to a .227 batting average in 116.1 innings.

He only pitched 146.2 innings over the past two seasons, but he compiled a 2.58 ERA with a 155-44 K-BB ratio and 7.6 H/9 during that span. In five starts this season, he posted a career-best 6.0 H/9 with a strikeout rate of 25.7 percent. However, he has a 4.08 ERA in 28.2 innings, in which he has allowed more than four runs in a pair of starts.

It seems unlikely that Kansas City will be able to work out a new deal with Bubic this off-season, with the California native set to cash in on MLB free agency this winter. So, barring a dramatic turnaround, it’s reasonable to think Bubic will be one of the starting pitchers moved ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Six teams advanced to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night with two selections in the opening round. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs, who have the ninth and 29th picks in the first round. Still, that doesn’t mean all six teams will end the night with two new prospects, including the Chiefs.

Recently, John Breech of CBS Sports suggested that the Chiefs could use one of those options to trade for a long-term replacement for Travis Kelce. Specifically, Breech evaluated why the Chiefs should offer the 29th overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Kyle Pitts.

“On the Chiefs’ side, if they were to acquire Pitts, he would serve as Travis Kelce’s successor,” Breech wrote. “The Chiefs’ star tight end recently signed for his 14th season in Kansas City, but at age 36, it’s hard to see him playing past the 2026 season. If the Chiefs add Pitts, it would give Patrick Mahomes an almost unfair advantage in the passing game.”

Pitts is set to play the season on the franchise tag, which many players don’t like. If the Falcons don’t commit to a long-term extension for the fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, perhaps Pitts would prefer a change of scenery. Plus, who wouldn’t want to get a pass from a future Hall of Famer like Patrick Mahomes?

The Falcons do not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and no selections until No. 48. Perhaps they would be open to trading the former 1,000-yard tight end, especially if it nets them a first-round pick. Meanwhile, the Chiefs may feel like Pitts, who is coming off a 928-yard, five-touchdown season, and is still just 25, is better than anyone they could find at 29.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

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Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway marked the ninth points race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This provides another excellent data point to add to our weekly analysis as we continue to evaluate the best NASCAR drivers right now.

Toyota has been the standout team in our NASCAR Power Rankings this season and Sunday’s race at Kansas didn’t change that. However, there is still quite a bit of movement in our ranking of the best drivers in NASCAR today.

1. Tyler Reddick (First: 1)

Tyler Reddick now has five wins in nine races this season. It’s absolutely absurd how excellent the No. 45 car has been in 2026. Was he as dominant as Dale Earnhardt when he won five of the first nine races? No, and the fact that Redick is fifth in laps led (189) shows that. What he’s proving this year is that he’ll likely be regular season champion, and a 25-point lead in The Chase and how well he’s performing in the mile-and-a-half could now make him the championship favorite.

RELATED: Insider reveals potential cost of signing Tyler Reddick to new contract

2. Denny Hamlin (First: 4)

If not for “Cody Were Caution”, Denny Hamlin probably would have won the race at Kansas on Sunday. However, it is also fair to acknowledge the No. 11 driver was again put in position to win that race as Reddick’s car momentarily experienced fuel issues. Missing that second win in 2026, which would have tied him with Kyle Busch for all-time Cup Series wins, is certainly painful for Hamlin. Fortunately, he still won Stage 1, he claimed the second-best average finishing position (5.3) over the last six races, and he led the Cup Series in laps led (562) during that span while earning 292 points (48.7 per race).

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins leaders

3. Kyle Larson (1st: 5)

Kyle Larson has now gone 33 consecutive races without a win in the Cup Series. It seems unimaginable for this to happen to the driver of the No. 5 car, but heartbreaking defeats have been a theme for him this year. While it’s clear that Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet are still trying to figure things out with their new setup, as evidenced by the performance of the other HMS cars, Larson is still on tears. He has won three of the last four stages and has scored 54 points in consecutive races, while finishing in the top 10 in six of his last seven races (32nd at Darlington). A win is coming for Larson, but even without it he is back to performing like one of the best NASCAR drivers.

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series Stage Winners 2026

4. Christopher Bell (First: 6)

Ignore Christopher Bell’s 20th-place finish at Kansas Speedway last weekend. He finished in the top five in both stages, posted the fastest lap and was in the top four at the start of overtime. Unfortunately, luck ran out of him. Reddick went right over the bell and sent the No. 20 car into the wall, dropping him to 20th due to the damage. Bell had the race-winning car on Sunday and should have at least finished in the top five.

5. Ryan Blaney (First: 2)

Team Penske finally made a change to Ryan Blaney’s pit crew last week and it didn’t make a difference. He ran a very good race early on, but then suffered damage to the No. 12 car’s splitter due to contact with AJ Allmendinger on pit road. The team took a penalty for having too many people over the wall to work on it and, after finishing ninth at Kansas, Blaney finished 24th after spending parts of the final stage several laps down. This ended a streak of three consecutive top six finishes and a seven-race streak where his average finishing position was 4.6. Blaney is on par with Redduck, Larson and Hamlin in terms of his racing ability, but his team is not doing him any favors this year.

RELATED: AdventHealth 400 winners, losers

6. Ty Gibbs (1st: 3)

Ty Gibbs now has seven consecutive races with top-10 finishes en route to his first Cup Series win, and he is averaging 43.1 points per race during that span. So why is he falling in our NASCAR power rankings? Because with the speed the No. 54 car had on Sunday at Kansas and as good a job as his pit crew did in getting him back out there quickly, he really struggled to make passes. It was a very uneventful race for Gibbs, and it felt like he got less time with his car and team than the other top drivers.

RELATED: 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings now after Kansas Speedway

7. William Byron (before: 8)

It’s a nice rebound from William Byron after what happened with the setup of the No. 24 car at Bristol (30th place). Byron certainly didn’t have the pace to win the race on Sunday at Kansas; The car was not good enough to challenge for a top five average running position. However, after qualifying in 14th place, Byron finished 11th in Stage 1 and 13th at the end of Stage 2. By the end of overtime he had moved up to seventh, his fifth top 10 finish in the last six races. Now it’s up to Hendrick to improve on his troubling 24.0 average starting position over the last two races.

8. Chase Elliott (First: 7)

By the standards of how things should be for the No. 9 team under Chase Elliott, Sunday was fine. He finished sixth in Stage 1, and Allan Gustafsson’s pit-timing strategy resulted in fourth place in Stage 2. Elliott has scored more than 40 points in three of his last four races with three top-10 finishes, but there are also two poor performances at Phoenix (23rd) and Bristol (22nd) that highlight more of the inconsistency seen in this team than in 2025.

RELATED: AdventHealth 400 results, full NASCAR stage results at Kansas

9. Chase Briscoe (First: 9)

If Chase Briscoe started today he would be in Chase. This is a good situation after a rough first month of the season in which he finished 36th or worse in three of the first four races and scored only 4 points overall in that span. Briscoe boasts an 8.4 average finishing position over the last five races, and although there is still room for improvement for the No. 19 team, they are at least getting back on the right track.

10. Bubba Wallace (previously: unranked)

That kind of performance should make Bubba Wallace feel even more remorse over his actions at Martinsville, which cost them at least 15 points. He finished fifth on Sunday and remained in the top six of the field for most of the race at Kansas. He is now tied with William Byron on points, and if he had kept a cool head a few weeks ago, we would be talking about him sitting sixth in the standings, just a few points behind Elliott.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, the AdventHealth 400, was poised to be the first race of the season without a warning incident. Then with 2 laps remaining, Cody Ware lost control and brought out the first natural caution of the day, sending us to overtime.

Let’s take a look at our winners and losers from today’s NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway.

Winner: Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson has now not won a NASCAR Cup Series race in 11 months, without a trip to 33-race victory lane. It’s certainly disappointing for him, but he won Stage 2 on Sunday, giving him three stage wins in the last three races, and he has earned 39 stage points with third-place (Bristol) and second (Kansas) finishes during this two-race span. The last-lap loss to Tyler Reddick may not have lessened the sting, but the No. 5 team has scored more than 100 points in its last two races and Larson is preparing himself well for The Chase.

Loser: Kyle Busch

When Kyle Busch took some fire Saturday in response to comments made by Denny Hamlin, there were plenty of KFB chants and some on-track chaos was expected. Of course, the point of Busch threatening to make Hamlin’s life “hell” on the track was that the No. 8 car’s only chance would be if he went down a lap-plus. What happened at AdventHealth 400? With 25 laps to go in Stage 1, Hamlin easily passed the No. 8 car. Bush was not the problem; He was an afterthought for the driver of the No. 11 car. Lots of talk, no results. This seems quite appropriate from Bush. Heck, he finished the race today in 35th place, well behind his teammate Austin Dillon (16th).

RELATED: Kyle Busch hits back at Denny Hamlin after recent comments

Winner: 23XI Racing

Tyler Reddick is definitely a winner as he is on his way to victory at Kansas Speedway. Michael Jordan joins them for the fifth time in nine races. 23XI Racing has overtaken Team Penske as NASCAR’s third-best team at least this season. Reddick won the AdventHealth 400, Wallace finished fifth, and teammates Riley Herbst and Corey Heim also finished 14th and 15th respectively. When Reddick is keeping himself in Dale Earnhardt’s company, winning five of the first nine races, and two 23XI drivers sitting in the top eight in points, it’s hard not to call the team a big winner in 2026.

RELATED: Insider reveals potential cost of signing Tyler Reddick to new contract

Loser: Trackhouse Racing

Through nine races this season, Daniel Suarez has a pair of top-10 finishes and seven top-20s. Meanwhile, at Trackhouse Racing, the trio of Shane Van Gisbergen, Connor Zylisch and Ross Chastain have combined for three top-10 finishes and 13 top-20 finishes between them. Chastain is definitely a top-10 driver in terms of talent, Zilich was a generational prospect a year ago and even SVG has proven himself in the Cup Series. Trackhouse is ruining them all. Things didn’t get any better in the NASCAR races today, with all three drivers finishing outside the top 20.

RELATED: NASCAR Drivers Who Have Performed Poorly This Season

Winner: Denny Hamlin

It wasn’t a perfect day for Denny Hamlin at Kansas, but he came somewhat close. Hamlin won Stage 1 and then finished second to Kyle Larson in Stage 2. He also could have won the AdventHealth 400 if not for the classic Cody Ware caution, with 2 laps left and the No. 11 being seconds away from the final lap, where he could have won it even under the caution. Hamlin said before the season that to have any shot at winning the championship you had to finish in the top three in points at the end of the regular season. Through nine races, he has a 33-point lead in fourth place, and he is looking to win more races this season.

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins leaders

Loser: Team Penske

The good news is that Team Penske made a much-needed change with Ryan Blaney’s pit crew this weekend. Unfortunately, the No. 12 car also received a pit road penalty for too many on the wall after Stage 1 as the team needed work on the front splitter. As far as what happened with Joey Logano, his car was tight all weekend and the No. 22 team was forced to drop to the back of the field for a steering rack replacement on Sunday. It did not work out, Logano was 24th in Stage 1 and 2 laps down at the conclusion of Stage 2. Penske is really proving this season that the gap between them and 23XI Racing is as close, if not even closer, than the gap between Penske and the clearly top teams (Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports).

RELATED: NASCAR Cup Series Stage Winners 2026

Winner: Alex Bowman

After qualifying 33rd at Kansas on Saturday, it certainly felt like everything was going to go wrong for Alex Bowman this season, which will continue in the AdventHealth 400 this afternoon. Credit to Bowman and the No. 48 team; He gradually worked his way up the field to finish 17th in Stage 1 and Stage 2 and maintained a top 20 finish throughout the race. This kind of performance doesn’t open the door for Bowman to potentially make The Chase, but this performance shows he is still a very capable driver.

Connected: The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings now after Kansas Speedway

Loser: Carson Hocevar’s Pit Crew

The No. 77 car definitely had the speed to have a good day at Kansas Speedway and Carson Hocevar’s driving style seems perfect for this track. Unfortunately for Hocevar, his pit crew cost him dearly today. The No. 77 team had several instances where it lost positions on pit road because the No. 77 team was slow in its movements. Given the tight conditions of the battle for the final places in The Chase, a race like this could make the difference in whether Hocevar is successful or not. Hocevar finished the day in 13th place, with the likes of Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher ahead of him. We will see if these cases come up in September.

Winner: Corey Haim

Get ready to see Corey Haim in the coming weeks. This was his first Cup Series race in 2026 since the Daytona 500, but he is competing in seven races with 23XI Racing from now through July 27 at the Brickyard 400. Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 showed why and proved he’s already in this series full-time. He qualified 24th on Saturday, but battled hard to finish 10th in Stage 1 and has kept himself in the top 15 for most of NASCAR’s racing today. Coming to the Heim Time Cup Series.

RELATED: Insider Explains Why Corey Heim Isn’t Full-Time With 23XI Racing Yet

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Sunday’s Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway saw plenty of dominance from the likes of Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick. Several drivers further solidified their positions at the top of the NASCAR standings today, with Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace also performing well.

Let’s take you through the NASCAR standings today after Kansas. As always, we’ve noted in our table where the cutline is right now for The Chase through a nine-point run this season. We’ve also covered the biggest movers in NASCAR standings this weekend.

RELATED: AdventHealth 400 Winners, Losers and Analysis

NASCAR points standings now: Cup Series points leaders after Kansas

Official 2026 NASCAR Cup Series results at Kansas Speedway

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

We’ve already seen a big trade this week, with the New York Giants shipping Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could the Kansas City Chiefs be close to pulling off another blockbuster with a top-10 pick?

The Chiefs already have the ninth and 29th overall picks in the first round of the draft, but they are reportedly trying to move into the top five.

According to Johnny Venerable of PHNX, the Arizona Cardinals have been in contact with the Chiefs, and are discussing a trade that would send the third overall pick in the first round to Kansas City. Reverend’s suggestion is for the Chiefs to send the No. 9 plus changes to Arizona in exchange for the No. 3, then Kansas City will target the top pass-rusher available.

“Sources tell PHNX Cardinals that Osenfort has already engaged in early trade discussions with GM Brett Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs,” Venerable wrote. “The Chiefs, who have the ninth overall pick, will likely target the top available pass rusher in Texas Tech’s David Bailey or Ohio State’s Arvel Reese. While early trade details are unclear, the NFL Trade Value Chart projects that pick #3 is worth around $2200, while pick #9 is worth #1350.”

The Cardinals had the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft before moving up to the No. 12 pick and selecting left tackle Paris Johnson. The Cardinals will again be looking to trade down and select another offensive tackle to help stabilize their line. The last time they went down from 3, the Cardinals acquired a future first pick in addition to the 34th pick, a fifth-round selection and the No. 12 overall pick.

If Kansas City can make a deal like this, the price will definitely be different this time, as no two draft picks are alike.

RELATED: Kansas City Chiefs criticized for one of ‘NFL’s worst signings’

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Who won the NASCAR race tonight? On a day when Brandon Jones dominated the podium, it was again someone else who came out on top in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. Tonight in an entertaining show where people like Carson Kvapil and Carson Kvapil got DNFs, it was Taylor Gray who defeated Sheldon Creed to win.

Let’s take a look at the NASCAR results from tonight’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Kansas. As always, we’ll start with total points and complete results followed by today’s NASCAR OARS Stage results.

NASCAR Results Today: OARS at Kansas

NASCAR Stage Results: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

Here are the results from the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series stage at Kansas Speedway.

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It’s not hard to find Kansas City Chiefs draft projections this time of year. The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23, and the Chiefs have two first-round selections (Nos. 9 and 29). Although everyone has an opinion on what the Chiefs can do, obviously, not everyone agrees.

However, there are NFL insiders who have gathered information from key sources over the past few weeks and months, giving them a better indication of what could happen. recently, Sports IllustratedAlbert Breyer was walking through examples of what chiefs might do, and in the process, he may have provided some insight based on what he heard from knowledgeable people.

According to Breyer, the Chiefs “might like” Clemson offensive tackle prospect Blake Miller as a right tackle. Still, Kansas City could prioritize three positions, including tackle, in the first round.

After selecting Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chiefs think they already have their left tackle. Finding a capable right tackle shouldn’t be that difficult, yet they’ve already hit and miss several times, such as signing Young Taylor for $80 million in 2023.

Nevertheless, Miller is experienced as an offensive line prospect, starting 54 games at right tackle for Clemson. There are a lot of tapes on it; This is just a case of where the Chiefs feel they can grab Miller, which could be in the latter half of the first round.

RELATED: Kansas City Chiefs criticized for one of ‘NFL’s worst signings’

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After missing the playoffs, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach knew he had to upgrade head coach Andy Reid’s roster this offseason. When free agency began, the Chiefs wasted no time in making an upgrade. Some also felt that the Chiefs made one of the best signings of the year. Not everyone agrees.

Recently, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport actually called Kenneth Walker III one of the worst free agency signings of the NFL’s offseason. His reasoning? Largely because the 25-year-old running back has yet to consistently prove he can handle a heavy workload.

“Throughout his four-year career, Walker has battled serious injuries,” Davenport wrote. “Last year was the first time he played all 17 games. While the 2022 second-round pick has posted two 1,000-yard seasons, he’s never had 230 carries in a season. He’s never played 600 snaps in a season. Walker is being paid like a bell-cow at running back. But to date, he hasn’t shown he can truly be one.”

The Chiefs signed Walker to a three-year contract worth more than $43 million this offseason. He is now the fourth-highest paid tailback in the NFL, just behind future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry, and just ahead of Breece Hall, who is set to play the season on the franchise tag.

While there is no doubt that Walker adds more talent to the Kansas City backfield that saw Isiah Pacheco sign in free agency with the Lions, time will tell if he lives up to his contract with the Chiefs. Still, if his addition helps the Chiefs become one of the NFL’s best teams capable of winning a Super Bowl, chances are they’ll feel like Walker is worth every penny.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

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Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has consistently shown that he is not afraid to make major changes to the roster. While last year’s team failed to make the playoffs, the Chiefs are confident in their ability to bounce back in 2026.

Still, there is no running away from the weaknesses of the Chiefs. They have lost two starting cornerbacks this offseason, while one went through a trade. What is the plan to replace them? With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chiefs will have their opportunities.

Recently, ESPN’s Matt Bowen highlighted a potential improvement: drafting LSU’s Mansur Delaney with the ninth overall selection in the first round. Bowen believes Delaney will “thrive” in Kansas City, playing under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

“Kansas City played man coverage on 52.3% of opponent dropbacks in 2025, which is the fourth-highest rate in the league. Delaney will thrive in those coverages (primarily Cover 1, Cover 0 and Cover 2 man) with the speed to match him vertically as a press corner. Plus, he can jam and sink into Cover 2. It’s an easy fit for someone who I think is top in the class. Is a cornerback.”

Delaney is widely viewed as the best cornerback in the draft class, and he would certainly bring an elite athlete back to Kansas City’s secondary. Delaney’s 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the LSU Pro Day showed he has the speed to keep up with the game’s greatest athletes; Now he just has to prove it. He may get this opportunity in Kansas City.

Still, other teams selecting in the top ten also need cornerbacks. The question is whether they are willing to choose one of the top ten for this position, or whether they will find other needs more important. The same is true for the Chiefs, who could also use an edge rusher, offensive tackle or possibly another pass-catching weapon for Mahomes.

If the Chiefs determine that Delaney is not the right fit with the ninth overall pick, they could move back into the position later, as they also have the 29th overall pick in the first round.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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A great option for Kansas and Arkansas to replace their top players who just entered the college basketball transfer portal. However, he may not be available for much longer.

Both the Jayhawks and Razorbacks were among the top 25 teams in the nation during the 2025–26 season. Although they have several good players on their roster, neither team is as strong without top stars Darrin Peterson and Darius Acuff, Jr.

The guard duo were among the best players in the country this year, which is why – to the dismay of Kansas and Arkansas fans – both of them could be selected in the first 10 picks of June’s NBA Draft. It will be very difficult to replace his numbers next season. However, a fantastic option has just entered the transfer portal.

This week, Sienna star Gavin Doty told the Times Union that he plans to enter the portal. The sophomore took another significant developmental step in his game last season. Leading the program in points (18.0), and was second in rebounds (6.9), assists (2.2), and steals (1.3). Under the guidance of Bill Self or John Calipari, he could become a national star next season.

Gavin Doty may follow his Siena coach to Syracuse

Both Kansas and Arkansas have the financial resources to attract Doty to their schools next season. Especially with the books coming out in Peterson and Acuff, Jr.’s name, image and likeness. Plus, playing for legendary coaches would be attractive to any player in the country, and they could certainly develop Doughty into an NBA prospect.

However, as tempting as a trip to Kansas or Arkansas would be for the Sienna product, there’s a very good chance Doty heads to Syracuse this spring. This may surprise many college basketball fans, but he has a good reason for going to the Orange. His coach for the past two seasons, Gerry McNamara, is doing the same job at Syracuse after becoming a star for the program in the early 2000s.

Players have loyalty to coaches they believe have made them better and it cannot be denied that McNamara is doing a strong job with Doty. While the opportunities may be greater at Kansas and Arkansas, the second-year student will be assured of being the focal point at Syracuse immediately next year. Plus, the move will keep him in upstate New York.

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Bill Self is the greatest coach in the history of the Kansas basketball program. That’s saying something for a team that had coaching icons like Roy Williams and Fogg Allen during their peak periods. However, when you have the most wins in school history and a pair of national championships to your credit, it’s hard to deny his status as the most important sports figure the university has ever produced.

However, all good things come to an end, and the Self era may soon be coming to an end. After a heartbreaking last-second loss to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the coach seemed unsure whether he would return this fall.

“I haven’t really been able to do much on the court,” Self said after the game. [h/t The Athletic]. “I’ve seen some things off the court. So I’ll come back and visit with the family and see what’s going on. I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy enough to do it well enough.”

At age 63, and after 33 years of coaching (23 at Kansas), it wouldn’t be shocking if Self walked away from the game. Even if it is only for a few years. If he does retire, let’s take a look at six coaches the program could target as Bill Self’s replacement.

Jack Vaughn, Kansas (assistant)

There is a real possibility that if Self walks away from the game, the program could go with an internal alternative. Associate head coach Jeremy Case would be a way for the school to move forward. However, assistant coach Jack Vaughn would be a great move.

Vaughn understands what it means to be a Jayhawk on the court after playing a memorable four-year run as a star for the school in the ’90s. However, what may give him an edge on the case is that he has extensive coaching experience during his stints with the NBA Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets. Although those tenures may not have been good, it is important to have experience in high-pressure jobs. Especially when a living legend is being replaced.

Brad Underwood, Illinois

Although it took some time, Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a legitimate force in the Big Ten. He has 20 or more wins in each of the last seven seasons, went 25-8 in 2025-26, the coach has won a pair of conference tournaments, and his team is in the Sweet 16 this week.

Underwood has done a lot with a second-tier school in a conference that has about half the Sweet 16 teams. With Kansas’ resources and brand recognition, he could soon make the Jayhawks a title contender again.

Michael Malone, former Nuggets head coach

A few years ago, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was viewed as one of the best in the NBA. He developed Denver into a consistent title contender, helped elevate Nikola Jokic to superstar status and led the Nuggets to their first championship in 2023. However, disagreements with the front office led to his surprise exit at the end of last season.

After the way he was fired in 2024, Malone could be angry at the NBA experience and big personalities involved on and off the court. Bringing in a coach who recently won an NBA title would be a coup for Kansas.

TJ Otzelbarger, Iowa State

Since arriving at Iowa State five years ago, TJ Otzelbarger has done nothing but win and lead the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament every year, including this week’s trip to the Sweet 16. Similar to Brad Underwood at Illinois, if given the resources Kansas has, Otzelburger could get the program back to the Final Four in a year or two.

Danny Manning, Louisville (assistant)

If basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain weren’t a Jayhawk, Danny Manning would be the greatest player in team history. Bringing back the legend and former Kansas assistant to replace Bill Self would be a huge story.

Yet his notoriety within the program is not the only reason he would be a candidate to become their next head coach. He has a wealth of experience as an assistant and currently serves as Pat Kelsey’s top assistant at Louisville. A team that has made consecutive trips to the tournament over the last two years.

Nate Oates, Alabama

Another interesting option that could be on Kansas’ radar is Alabama head coach Nate Oats. ‘Bama has been a football-first school for generations. However, in his first season out of a rebuilding year, Oats has led the Crimson Tide to the tournament in six consecutive seasons. Which includes a Sweet 16 birth this month.

Oats turned ‘Bama into a powerhouse in the SEC. However, no matter what happens, the basketball program will be secondary. However, at Kansas, he could be the top coach at a major college with a proud history.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Kansas City Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Other than getting a new return in Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III, the Chiefs haven’t made many significant changes that are expected to drastically alter Kansas City’s fortunes in 2026.

Their biggest boost will come in the form of Patrick Mahomes’ return from a torn ACL at the end of last season. Meanwhile, former first-round pick Justin Fields has come in as a very thin security blanket for now. More Mahomes insurance could come later.

Still, free agency isn’t done, and the latest batch of Chiefs rumors links them to a potential future Hall of Fame guard.

According to leading ESPN insider Nate Taylor, Kansas City is a “likely destination” for former All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan. The 36-year-old has spent his entire 15-year career with the Saints, but is now a free agent.

Jordan will turn 37 in July, but he is also coming off a very strong season in which he recorded 10.5 sacks, 47 tackles (15 TFL), two forced fumbles and two pass deflections. He has also been extremely durable and has never played less than 16 games in his entire career.

While Jordan has compiled 132 sacks in his career (tied for 22nd on the NFL’s career sack leaders list), he is still looking for his first Super Bowl victory. Perhaps the Chiefs present the best opportunity for Jordan, as well as the chance to see a tremendous amount of snaps.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft after the first wave of free agency

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Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes ended just as Patrick Mahomes’ season ended with a torn ACL after 14 games. Since the injury occurred so late in the season (December 14), it is likely that Mahomes will not be ready to start in Week 1.

While the Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, another 6-11 season would not be acceptable for a team that has won three Super Bowls since 2019. On Monday, the Chiefs traded for former first-round quarterback Justin Fields. Many assumed he would take over as Mahomes’ backup and/or take over the Chiefs’ QB1 duties until Mahomes was ready.

But, what if he was brought in to provide coach Andy Reid with a specific piece to his offense, even if that means using specific packages or possibly a tush push? Certainly Mahomes won’t be suddenly used in that role, especially after suffering a torn ACL.

In other words, what if the Chiefs are still eyeing another, more traditional QB to join the depth chart?

Recently, the Chiefs were reported to be discussing signing Russell Wilson in free agency.

Florio wrote, “On Monday morning, before the Chiefs traded for former Jets quarterback Justin Fields, someone was throwing spaghetti over the question of whether Kansas City was keeping an eye on Russell Wilson as Patrick Mahomes insurance.”

While that idea may have gone away after adding Fields, what if signing the 10-time Pro Bowl QB is still on the table? After all, as Florio later said, there aren’t many clear-cut starting opportunities left.

Eventually, Wilson would have to give up his pride and accept the role of backup QB. Unless, of course, he wants to play at all and remain unsigned, in the hopes that one of the team’s starters will suffer an injury that will keep him out for a good portion of the season.

After all, there aren’t many quarterbacks available who are as capable as the former Super Bowl winner. Plus, after starting just three games last season, the 37-year-old won’t be able to demand much as a free agent, especially if his phone isn’t going off.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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If Patrick Mahomes has yet to fully recover from the ACL tear that befell the team, he’s an intriguing option to be the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in their early season.

Last season was a disaster for the Chiefs. For the first time since Andy Reid became head coach a decade earlier, the team finished a season with a record below .500. However, the end of the campaign also added salt to the wound.

During a December game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the face of the Chiefs franchise – Patrick Mahomes – tore his ACL and LCL. While Mahomes is a great athlete and has had ample time to prepare in Week 1, the organization should not rush to get their most important player back on the field until he is 1,000% ready.

That’s why the Chiefs will probably look to bring in an experienced QB who can start some games early next season. However, it doesn’t make sense for them to get involved in the market for players like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo or Aaron Rodgers. They need a true backup who can win some games.

The Kansas City Chiefs should target Cooper Rush

Well, a stronger alternative has just become available. On Thursday morning, the Baltimore Ravens announced that they have released eight-year veteran Cooper Rush. The 32-year-old is a traditional backup QB, having a solid 9-7 record as a starter during stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Ravens.

When he works with good talent, Rush has shown he can make an impact under center and has some big wins as well as 300-plus yard games on his resume. If he were to start for the Chiefs early in the season, he could manage the offense and help the team get some wins. But when Mahomes returns, Kansas City will have one of the better backup signal-callers in the game.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs did not reach the AFC Conference Championship for the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018. The Chiefs also missed the playoffs, which was Kansas City’s first time since 2014. Now it’s time to get back on track.

The first day of the NFL’s free agency negotiating window opened on Monday. Within 30 minutes, the Chiefs had already made a big splash.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Chiefs have agreed to sign running back Kenneth Walker III. Tom Pelissero reports that Walker’s contract is expected to be three years and $45 million. This makes him the highest paid ‘free agent’ in NFL history. Saquon is the NFL’s highest-paid running back (at $20.6M per season, but he signed an extension).

The 25-year-old Walker is coming off the second 1,000-yard season of his career, notably having a big game (135 rushing yards) in Super Bowl LX to help the Seahawks escape with a victory. The 5-foot-9, 211-pound running back brings a big body to Kansas City’s backfield with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt entering free agency.

He finished the season with 1,027 rushing yards, 5 TDs and 31 receptions for 282 receiving yards. Walker then tallied another 313 rushing yards and 4 TDs plus 104 receiving yards in three playoff wins. Now, he’ll look to continue that success in Kansas City.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

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The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs have made a blockbuster trade involving cornerback Trent McDuffie. The Rams are sending the 29th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick for McDuffie. This is the major move that makes Los Angeles secondary.

Below, we’ll break down the winners and losers of the McDuffie trade between the Chiefs and Rams!

Winner: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams entered the 2026 NFL offseason needing help in the secondary, particularly at cornerback. McDuffie is very good in coverage and run defense, giving Los Angeles a much-needed lockdown defender on the outside. With only one year remaining on his contract, McDuffie plans to sign a long-term extension with the Rams. Los Angeles gave up a large number of draft picks, but the All-Pro cornerback is worth the price.

Loser: Kansas City Chiefs Secondary

Kansas City’s secondary is the biggest loser in this trade. By transferring McDuffie, the Chiefs have kept Christian Fulton and Noah Williams as their starting cornerbacks, which may not be the case moving forward in the 2026-27 NFL season. The Chiefs are projected to make at least one move for a cornerback during the offseason, but it will be very difficult to replace McDuffie’s production on the field.

Winner: Kansas City Front Office

Kansas City’s front office did a great job by trading McDuffie to Los Angeles. The Chiefs secondary has lagged, but the 29th pick and three other picks in the 2026 NFL Draft are very strong. Additionally, the 25-year-old cornerback was set to become a free agent after the upcoming season. The move allows the Chiefs to recover value for McDuffie, add cap flexibility and find a higher-ranked prospect in the NFL Draft.

Loser: Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are the Super Bowl champions, but that has a major impact on their chances of repeating. The Seahawks’ biggest needs heading into the 2026 NFL offseason are running backs and cornerbacks. With Rick Woolen and Josh Jobe becoming free agents, Seattle has a need at the cornerback position. Instead of acquiring McDuffie, the organization saw its biggest rival complete a deal.

Winner: Los Angeles defensive coordinator Chris Shula

Los Angeles defensive coordinator Chris Shula is a big winner. After a strong 2025-26 NFL season, Shula’s secondary struggled mightily. This affected the calling of the game on defense, as the secondary was unreliable. Now, Shula can be more confident with his secondary and prepare himself for a strong defense in 2026-27. If all goes well, he may soon get an NFL head coaching job.

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, there is no denying that the Kansas City Chiefs need to make some changes. We’ve already seen them say goodbye to Matt Nagy, leading to a reunion with Eric Bieniemy. Now it’s time to change the roster.

Even after winning Super Bowls, the Chiefs weren’t afraid to make changes. Sometimes, those decisions don’t work out. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is ready to admit he made an $80 million mistake.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Chiefs will release offensive tackle Jawan Taylor. Releasing him would save the Chiefs approximately $20 million in salary cap space.

The 28-year-old started 12 games in Kansas City last season, the third season of a four-year, $80 million contract he signed through 2023. Taylor started 45 games for the Chiefs and helped them win the Super Bowl. Taylor previously spent four seasons with the Jaguars, starting all 66 of his appearances in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars made Taylor the 35th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Florida native has played seven seasons and reached the playoffs three times.

Pro Football Focus ranked Taylor 80th out of 89 offensive tackles in 2025, earning positive grades for his work as a pass-blocker (49th out of 89) and negative grades as a run blocker (88th out of 89). Now, as Taylor looks for his next team, expect an offense with a pass-heavy scoring attack to take a long look at him in free agency.

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Most recently, Kansas basketball guard Darrin Peterson raised eyebrows by ruling himself out of the team’s road win over Oklahoma State on Wednesday evening. The move comes just days after Peterson was removed from the second game during warmups due to illness, raising big questions about what his availability might look like at the NBA level.

Peterson is widely considered one of the most talented players in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft class, but recently, sports media personality Stephen A. Smith took to the ESPN airwaves to share why he wouldn’t draft Peterson if he had the number one overall pick.

“There’s no team that can take Darrin Peterson No. 1. You can’t do that. The number one ability is availability…and these games he’s missing, cramps? Flu…I can’t trust him. You can’t be trusted,” Smith said on X, formerly of First Take on Twitter, per Awful Announcing.

In fact, availability concerns are starting to become a bigger concern for Peterson, who is widely viewed as the best point guard prospect in the upcoming draft. There’s no denying Peterson’s ability to produce when he’s on the floor, as the Kansas guard boasts an elite combination of outside shooting, explosive athleticism and defensive instincts that make him an ideal floor general for the modern NBA.

However, he has plenty of competition for the number one spot in the upcoming draft, primarily in the form of Duke forward Cameron Boozer, the son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer, as well as BYU wing AJ DiBuntsa.

In a league where load management is increasingly becoming an issue, it’s certainly possible that any team that would have selected Peterson at No. 1 overall might view his availability issues as too big a problem to ignore.

In any case, the NBA Draft is scheduled for the end of June.