4 free agents Chiefs could sign to fill last hole in defensive line

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 7: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints sacks Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 7, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images Ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs ’ 2026 season, there does feel like one hole remains along the line of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s treatment. The defensive tackle room is deep.

The signing of nose tackle Khyiris Tonga allows for the developing talents of Omar Norman-Lott and Peter Woods to be strong pieces of the rotation rather than true every-down starters next to defensive tackle Chris Jones. That foursome is strong, and a fifth wouldn’t be asked to do much week to week outside of filling in case of injury. On the edge, the defensive end needs another starting-capable player.

That’s not to put down the talent of defensive ends Ashton Gillotte and rookie R Mason Thomas behind George Karlaftis, but similar to Norman-Lott and Woods, each would be best if not asked to be the every-down starter opposite of Karlaftis. The team only has fourth-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah behind this trio. Not only that, one injury could make things really hard on the unit as a whole.

In Spags’ scheme, having reliable players on the edge goes a long way towards how successful it is throughout a game and through the season. It seems like the Chiefs could use a similarly impactful player on the edge to Tonga, someone who can be relied on to eat up snaps on early or neutral downs, setting up the young, fresh talent to do the work on pass downs and late-half situations. Now that old friend Mike Danna has signed with the Buffalo Bills , the team would be signing an external free agent if there is one to bring in.