Projected Chiefs starter.
Staff and depth chart are unchanged.
- ADP
- 9.01 (97)
- Target
- 9.01
- Move
- 0
- As of
- 2026-08-25
What changed
7 real changes. The rest held.
Pass blocking
Was Simmons–Suamataia–Humphrey–Trey Smith–RT
Now LT Josh Simmons, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith (hip — sent to a specialist), RT Jaylon Moore vs Esa Pole
Humphrey/Smith are the AFC's best interior if Smith is healthy. RT is open. Smith's hip is the watch.
Play caller
Was Andy Reid / Matt Nagy
Now Reid still calling plays; Eric Bieniemy back as OC
Bieniemy returns. Reid does not outsource the offense.
Scheme & pace
Was Reid 2025 ~65% pass
Now Bieniemy historically juiced the run; projected ~58% pass
Slight run tilt would help the backfield more than the WRs.
Run blocking
Was Humphrey / Trey Smith interior
Now Same interior; Smith's hip is the only new variable. RT still a camp job.
Run blocking is this interior staying on the field, not Bieniemy.
Pass catchers
Was 2025 Chiefs WRs / Kelce
Now Same core; Kelce re-signed
No WR1-level addition published.
Tight end
Was Travis Kelce
Now Kelce remains the lead tight end
Kelce is a year older, not a new signing.
Backfield
Was 2025 Chiefs backs
Now Kenneth Walker signed; Bieniemy is a former RBs coach
Walker is the new lead-back name.
Continuity
Quarterback
Was Patrick Mahomes
Now Patrick Mahomes; Justin Fields acquired as backup
Locked starter. Fields is insurance, not a live Week 1 threat.
Head coach
Was Andy Reid
Now Andy Reid
Same HC.
Team environment
Was Reid perennial Super Bowl orbit
Now Same AFC West gauntlet
Positive scripts remain the base case.
Vacated volume
- Targets
- —
- Carries
- —
- Red zone
- —
- Air yards
- —
No star skill departure that changes this quarterback's job.
Competition added
- Kenneth Walker IIIlow
free agency · veteran starter money
New weapon, not competition. New lead back in a Bieniemy run tilt.
This player
- Projected role
- Projected Chiefs starter.
- Usage
- Slight run tilt would help the backfield more than the WRs.
- Injury
- No Week 1 absence reported as of August 20, 2026.
- Contract
- Not flagged as a 2026 hold-in.
- Camp
- Training camp underway as of August 2026. Week 1 is September.
Upside
Humphrey/Smith are the AFC's best interior if Smith is healthy. RT is open. Smith's hip is the watch. No WR1-level addition published.
Downside
Camp could still change the job before Week 1.
Risks
- Most of this looks like last year. Watch for a quiet camp role change.low
Sources
No source URLs were returned with this brief.
Notes come from the 2026 coaching and roster board (team sites, NFL.com, ESPN, The Athletic). Hold is the default when ADP already has the news.