Chiefs News 5/9: Chiefs had interest in new Vikings WR Jauan Jennings

“I was told that there were a few other teams,” Schefter said. “I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested. The Vikings were the only team he wound up visiting at all. The Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings. Ultimately, he got a one-year deal from Minnesota worth up to $13 million dollars, it’s about $8 million dollars in base pay. Ideally, you want to get these deals done early in free agency, but (Jauan Jennings) was able to salvage a pretty good situation.” **Mock Chiefs 2026 schedule: How the NFL could set up the slate of KC’s games | The Kansas City Star** Sept. 13: at Broncos Denver ended the Chiefs’ nine-season run as the AFC West champions, and the Broncos swept the Chiefs last season. To get back on top, the Chiefs will have to knock off the top dogs. CBS would be thrilled to have this game in the late-afternoon window with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call.

Sept. 20: vs. Jets (SNF) The NFL is aware quarterback Patrick Mahomes may not be ready for the opener, but it doesn’t want to back load all the Chiefs prime-time games. So the league rolls the dice here. The Jets received great grades for their draft, which was headlined by former Texas Tech star pass rusher David Bailey.

Sept. 27: vs. Raiders It would be fun if the NFL planned it this way, because fans of a certain age would realize that the Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl IV by defeating the Jets and Raiders in consecutive weeks. Younger Chiefs fans would welcome the opportunity to see Vegas quarterback Fernando Mendoza for the first time, and this would be a noon start. **Changing the Chiefs’ Run Game Goes Beyond Just Kenneth Walker III | Sports Illustrated** **A mentality shift could benefit Kansas City in 2026-27**

With that mix comes the necessity for a mentality change. In the past, the Chiefs have leaned too much into the pass. It’s hard to say putting the ball in the hands of quarterback Patrick Mahomes can turn excessive, although it’s possible. According to nfelo, last year’s team ranked second in pass rate over expected.

Having the ability to run the ball effectively could help balance that out. Walker, even if not running concepts in his wheelhouse, is a massive upgrade from Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. A more efficient rushing attack, in turn, generates heavier boxes and could free up downfield passing concepts.

It’s all interconnected, but the aforementioned efficiency can’t peak unless Kansas City allows it to. Relying on short-to-intermediate passes, Mahomes’ improvisation and timely defense isn’t always sustainable. **Taylor Decker emerging as Chiefs FA target to strengthen offensive line | KC Kingdom** **The Chiefs desperately need to sign Taylor Decker**

Decker has been a slightly above-average blindside protector for years now. He may not be a long-term solution at left tackle, but he’d certainly be an upgrade over what the Chiefs have in that room right now.

Jaylon Moore gave up two QB hits and three sacks in 257 pass-blocking snaps last season. His Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (57.1) ranked 72nd among 89 eligible players at the position. Moore is a backup swing tackle, not a starting-caliber guy. The often criticized Wanya Morris has struggled mightily when given a chance, and Esa Pole is unproven.

Of course, they already have Josh Simmons to play left tackle, and moving a former first-round pick to the right, while doable, might not be the best for his development. He played right tackle in college, though.

Whatever the case, Decker would give this team a much-needed and battle-tested guy in the trenches, regardless of where they line him up. Spotrac projects his market value at a whopping $21.3 million per year, but given his age and past injuries, there’s no way anyone will give him that much money. The Chiefs can probably get him on a one or two-year deal worth roughly $25 million or $30 million total. **A.J. Brown and the NFL’s Most Likely Post-June 1 Trade Candidates Entering 2026 Minicamps | Bleacher Report** Just over a year ago, the Buffalo Bills took a big swing on wide receiver Joshua Palmer, inking him to a three-year, $29 million contract. In a few weeks, they’ll have an opportunity to get out from under a deal that is looking like a mistake.

Palmer had a few bright moments in the Bills’ offense last season, but he wasn’t the dependable complementary receiver he had previously been for the Los Angeles Chargers. He produced a career-low 303 receiving yards, though it’s worth noting that he was also limited to 12 games.

The 26-year-old battled an ankle injury for much of the season and was eventually placed on injured reserve.

Since the start of the offseason, Buffalo has signed Trent Sherfield, traded for D.J. Moore, and drafted Skyler Bell. That alone might not be enough to justify pulling the plug on Palmer, but his contract plays a part.

Palmer is set to carry a cap hit of $11.8 million this season. The Bills can save $5.4 million by trading him now and $10.2 million by trading him after June 1.

Brown and Aiyuk may both have to be dealt before Palmer draws considerable interest, but he’ll be a solid option for receiver-needy teams once the dust settles.

**Potential Suitors:**Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders

**Around the NFL**

**RB Breece Hall gets 3-year extension worth up to $45.75M | ESPN**

The contract includes $29 million in guarantees, according to agent Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports. The average per year ($14.5 million) ranks fourth among running backs, behind Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million), Christian McCaffrey ($19 million) and Derrick Henry ($15 million). Hall moved past Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III ($14.35 million), who signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in March.

The value of the franchise tag was $14.3 million. If Hall and the Jets hadn’t reached an agreement by July 15, he would’ve been required to play the 2026 season on a one-year contract for the tag amount.

This is a rather stunning turn of events, considering Hall’s name was floated in trade talks last fall. The Jets traded stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the Nov. 4 deadline, and there was anticipation throughout the league that Hall also would be dealt that day, too. **NFL, referees association reach seven-year collective bargaining agreement | NFL.com** The agreement was approved by the NFLRA Board of Directors and ratified by a vote of the NFLRA membership.

“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. “It also speaks to the game officials’ relentless pursuit of improvement and officiating excellence. We look forward to working together for the betterment of the game.”

The deal covers a wide range of issues including economics, performance, and accountability, all with the shared goal of ensuring the outstanding officiating that the game demands.

“It was a mutual and determined effort, and the outcome is seven years of certainty for the league and the officials,” said NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green. “We appreciate Troy Vincent and Larry Ferazani and their staff for recognizing that working together to find solutions is the best course of action to reach a long-term agreement.”

**In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride**

**Chiefs’ safety Alohi Gilman embracing the learning process in KC**

“There has been pretty much everyone here, which is always a good sign on a winning team,” Gilman said. “I’d say the guys are bought in. It’s just spending time in the building, outside the building, building the relationships… it takes time, and everyone’s at different stages of their lives. It’s a different dynamic in the NFL… the group of guys I’ve been around has been great.

As the players grow together on the field, Gilman has leaned on leaders like linebacker Nick Bolton to learn how to correct mistakes on the fly.

“It’s not just the coaches, the players will tell me,” Gilman shared. “Nick Bolton will say, ‘This is the reason why, Spags likes it like this, this is the verbiage, this is what the purpose is.’”

“In a way, it pisses me off,” Gilman said. “But it’s a good thing because you have to make those mistakes and I’m going to be making them until we get to the games… I’m all full-go, I’m going to make every mistake possible and continue to grow and learn.”

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