Chiefs make several minor moves that will shape several offseason roster battles | OneFootball

NFL free agency has officially begun, and most fans of the Kansas City Chiefs are likely hungry for news of the team's next big signing. However, the Chiefs made a bevy of minor transactions on Wednesday that will be consequential in many ways as the 2025 offseason unfolds.

The Chiefs have already signed a new starting left tackle (presumedly) in Jaylon Moore away from the San Francisco 49ers. They've also signed a wild card at running back in Elijah Mitchell (also from the 49ers). In addition, the secondary was bolstered by the addition of cornerback Kristian Fulton.

General manager Brett Veach got to work on several restricted free agents and their futures with his latest series of moves. Let's look at each one and discuss the future impact for Kansas City.

Peyton Hendershot becomes a free agent

The Chiefs decided against bringing back Hendershot in 2025, which is pretty telling since the team traded for him several months ago—after last summer's training camp. Instead, the Chiefs decided to lean on the likes of Anthony Firkser, Baylor Cupp, and the newly-signed Robert Tonyan. That's certainly an indictment on Hendershot's future.

Tender offers made to Nazeeh Johnson, Jack Cochrane

Veach decided he wanted to keep both Johnson and Cochrane around for at least another season, which speaks volumes about both contributors given the significant pay raises involved. By offering them a right of first refusal, the Chiefs are on the hook for $3.26 million for each—should each player sign his offer sheet. K.C. retains the right to match any actual free agent offer that either player earn on the open market.

Johnson failed to secure a greater role for himself when tasked with more snaps in the wake of Jaylen Watson's injury last season. However, he remains a super sub, of sorts, who is a favorite of the team's coaching staff and quite versatile for Steve Spagnuolo's secondary.

As for Cochrane, his season ended with an injury but the team obviously trusts his ability to bounce back. He'll never supplant the likes of Nick Bolton or Drue Tranquill for any starting reps, but he's profiled nicely as a core special teamer who has played in 47 games overall for the Chiefs. He earned quite a bit of playing time on defense in '23 and could potentially be called upon there, if needed.

Spencer Shrader given chance to hit market

The Chiefs are very, very good at finding specialists and other teams should seize on their ability to identify players who can handle the pressures of being an NFL kicker or punter. Shrader was a nice fill-in for an ailing Butker during the '24 campaign and the Chiefs kept him around for the rest of the season. There's no need, however, to tender him an offer with Butker healthy, so other teams should be in line to grab a cheap candidate to handle the burden for them.

Malik Herring re-signs with Chiefs

Herring has been a mainstay of sorts at the bottom of the depth chart at defensive end. To his credit, he's lasted a lot longer than other free agent signings or draft picks as a former undrafted free agent out of Georgia.

The Chiefs played Herring less on defense last season than they did in 2023, but he's still earning reps 26 percent of the time (down from 36 percent last season). Given Herring's ceiling, that's somewhat an indictment on the lack of quality depth at the position, but Herring also deserves credit for being invited back for a fifth season with the Chiefs.

Keith Taylor allowed to walk

The Chiefs kept Taylor around the roster and practice squad last season after showing up strong during the team's training camp practices in St. Joseph, Missouri. Taylor ended up playing a bit of defensen for the Chiefs and even more on special teams, but his days in K.C. are apparently over—for now.

The Chiefs are setting Taylor free, but the truth is they can re-sign him as a free agent. They just won't owe him the sizable raise required by a tender offer in restricted free agency. The Chiefs might lose him in the process, but Taylor was a fringe player who has been on multiple teams after being the Carolina Panthers fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. It would not surprise us to see Taylor back for a minimal deal.