As February nears, the league shifts its focus to 2026, with free agency a little over a month away and the draft to follow. For Kansas City, the immediate task is deciding how many of their own free agents they can and should bring back to restore roster stability and compete for another Super Bowl run.
Two Chiefs players highlighted by PFF analyst Mason Cameron as potential big-year free agents come from Kansas City’s defense: safety Bryan Cook and cornerback Jaylen Watson. Cameron listed both as standout members of a group of 10 defensive unrestricted free agents who could command lucrative contracts this offseason.
Bryan Cook, a 26-year-old former second-round pick from Cincinnati, posted a career-best 83.5 PFF overall grade, ranking fifth among qualifying safeties. He was above 80.0 in run defense (80.1) and coverage (83.2), and he finished in the 90th percentile for missed-tackle rate. At an approximate $14 million per year, Cook would be near the top 12 at his position in annual value, making him a highly coveted target in free agency.
Jaylen Watson has similarly stood out in the Chiefs’ secondary, recording a 68.0-plus PFF overall grade across the past three seasons and a 74.9 PFF coverage grade at outside cornerback, placing him in a high percentile for his role. With projected value around $12.5 million annually and length that could resemble a three-year deal, Watson would align with recent free-agent benchmarks such as Jets corner Brandon Stephens’ three-year, $36 million package.
The Chiefs would face a meaningful decision if they lose both Cook and Watson, particularly on the back end. The article framing suggests these two players could be among the most valuable free-agent targets this offseason, underscoring Kansas City’s need to balance retention with prudent spending while planning for a rapid rebuild to return to the top of the AFC.
This analysis originates from Heavy Sports, and it highlights how two Chiefs defenders could shape the team’s offseason strategy as free agency approaches.
