Following a 6-11 season, the Kansas City Chiefs have a critical few months to better the roster in free agency and the draft to make the team a contender again in the AFC.
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The Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce haven’t revealed if the star tight end will return in 2026. Kansas City could use another wide receiver and a boost at running back amid other issues with the roster that appeared significantly behind the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos in the AFC West.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will not be present for a key part of the pre-draft process.
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During a news conference on Friday, Reid told reporters he would not attend the NFL Scouting Combine next week in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 67-year-old head coach told the media he recently had a procedure on his knee.
Reid joked he was on injured reserve for the combine.
“I’m on IR for about a second here,” Reid said, via Pro Football Talk. “Not long.”
The scouting combine gives coaches and league front offices a chance to meet with players before the NFL draft.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach will be doing the bulk of the work for the team with Reid grounded by the knee injury.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be a big one for Kansas City. The Chiefs, accustomed to drafting late in the first round after making postseason and Super Bowl runs, will be set to select a player with the No. 9 pick.
Reid isn’t happy about picking at No. 9, as he’d rather be coaching in the Super Bowl. But he knows the draft pick can help the Chiefs be more competitive next season.
“You try to find some positives in sitting where you’re at and why you’re there and the positives are you get yourself geared down and get better,” Reid said. “So, this has a chance to help you get better. And that’s how Brett feels and that’s the way he’s going about it.
“And nobody wants to be picking at ninth, but we are — that’s the reality of it. And so, you dig in and you put a plan together and go for it the best you can.”
It remains to be seen how much pacing Reid will be able to do on draft night.
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