.jpeg)
Andy Reid’s Chiefs draft plan emerges after Kenneth Walker splash and Justin Fields trade
Andy Reid and Brett Veach have been busy working on a Plan B if Patrick Mahomes misses the start of the 2026 season.
A shocking 2025 campaign hit rock-bottom when the talismanic Kansas City Chiefs quarterback tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee.
He is now in a race against time to be ready for Week 1, with head coach Reid and general manager Veach spending the offseason shaping the roster accordingly.
First, a glaring weakness in the backfield was solved with the blockbuster free agency signing of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
The three-year deal, worth up to $45 million with $28.7 million guaranteed, was a record for a free-agent running back in NFL history.
Mahomes began last season as the team’s leading rusher in the opening weeks of the season in a damning sign that something was badly wrong.
The lack of production added extra pressure on the passing game and also put the franchise passer in harm’s way.
If Mahomes is fit, the addition of Walker will force rivals to account for the home-run hitting rusher and could take some of the weight off the QB’s shoulders.
The next move was a bargain deal to bring in Justin Fields from the New York Jets in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
New York was facing a $22 million penalty for cutting the quarterback after one season and will eat most of his salary, leaving the Chiefs paying around $3 million for the dual-threat backup.
Fields has struggled in his three NFL stops so far but is a dynamic runner and Reid will surely find ways to scheme up plays for him.
Eric Bieniemy’s return as offensive coordinator is also seen as an upgrade on Matt Nagy.
Veach is in the unusual position of holding a top-10 pick in next month’s NFL Draft and it couldn’t come at a better time.
After losing four-time Super Bowl champion guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears in 2025, the Chiefs cut Jawaan Taylor over the offseason to leave an already thin offensive line on its knees.
Kansas City has spent lost of early-round capital on its line in recent years and failed to get the desired returns.
But in order to protect Mahomes or Fields and open lanes for Walker, investment is needed.
Chiefs could draft Miami giant Francis Mauigoa with No. 9 pick
USA Today’s latest mock sees Miami giant Francis Mauigoa brought in to try and fix a long-standing issue at tackle.
“QB Patrick Mahomes has suffered the highest sack percentage of his nine-year career over the past two seasons and went down a career-worst six times in K.C.’s Super Bowl 59 loss,” wrote Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly.
NFL Stadium Status
Chicago Bears – $5bn efforts to keep Bears in Chicago fall through as team announce plans to build new stadium across state
Kansas City Chiefs – $4bn Arrowhead move hits ‘high stakes’ snag with radical soccer-style stadium proposed
Kansas City announce major update on new $3 billion stadium design
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jags set for 150-mile relocation to 90-year-old arena as $1.4bn stadium project begins
Cleveland Browns – Pat McAfee raves at Browns’ NFL-first design masterpiece in new $2.4bn stadium
Cavaliers and Guardians stadium plans in trouble as Browns $2.4bn relocation causes Cleveland chaos
Tennessee Titans – New $2.1bn NFL stadium splits opinion ahead of Titans moving out of 27-year home
$25m piece falls into place for Titans’ new $2.2bn stadium ahead of grand unveiling
“As he tries to return in time for this year’s regular-season opener, despite rehabbing from a torn ACL, upgrading his protection seems imperative – especially given the release of RT Jawaan Taylor for performance and compensation reasons, plus the fact that Jaylon Moore didn’t wrest a starting OT job in 2025.
“A three-year starter for the Hurricanes at right tackle, Mauigoa, a 6-foot-6, 329-pound mauler, could be a long-term solution opposite 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons while vastly improving the odds Mahomes won’t continue running for his life in 2026.
“Mauigoa might also be the best choice for a team that’s invested so heavily in Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who should be Kansas City’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2017.”
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
