AFC West Update: Recapping the First Week of Free Agency

The first week of free agency is almost behind us, and it's been an especially active period for most of the AFC West.

What moves are the Denver Broncos making? What are the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders doing to try and topple them? Let's look.

Denver Broncos

Losses

• John Franklin-Myers, DL (signed with Titans for $63 million over three years ($21 million per year))
• Dre Greenlaw, LB (signed with 49ers for $7.5 million over one year)
• P.J. Locke, S (signed with Cowboys for $5 million over one year)
• A.T. Perry, WR (signed with Steelers for $1.1 million over one year)

Re-Signings

• Justin Strnad, LB ($18 million over three years ($6 million per year))
• Adam Trautman, TE ($17 million over three years ($5.7 million per year))
• J.K. Dobbins, RB ($16 million over two years ($8 million per year))
• Alex Singleton, LB ($15.5 million over two years ($7.8 million per year))
• Alex Palczewki, OL ($9.5 million over two years ($4.8 million per year))
• Sam Ehlinger, QB ($2 million over one year)
• Nate Adkins, TE ($1.6 million over one year)
• Adam Prentice, FB ($1.2 million over one year)
• Lucas Krull, TE ($1.1 million over one year)
• Matt Henningsen, DL ($1.1 million over one year)
• Michael Bandy, WR ($1.1 million over one year)
• Jaleel McLaughlin (TBA)

Additions

• N/A

Recap

So far, free agency has been uneventful for the Denver Broncos, as they have yet to make any new additions to the roster. However, they have cast a remarkably wide net when it comes to returning their own free agents, as they've already re-signed 11 players, with four of those being projected starters. On the other end of the spectrum, the four or five cheapest retentions won't be guaranteed anything past training camp, considering their small contracts and minimal guarantees.

One of the concerns with 'running it back' with last year's championship-contending roster is that the Broncos are already suffering from attrition, losing valuable 2025 contributors John Franklin-Myers and P.J. Locke, along with one of last year's blockbuster signings, Dre Greenlaw.

Now, with free agency slowing down, Broncos Country will have to watch to see whether Denver manages to add veteran talent to either replace those key role players or upgrade other spots to compensate for their losses. If the front office opts to do neither, it will further amplify the pressure on the 2026 class to contribute right away.

Kansas City Chiefs

Losses

• Trent McDuffie, CB (traded to Rams for 2026 first-round pick (pick 29), 2026 fifth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick, and 2027 third-round pick)
• Jaylen Watson, CB (signed with Rams for $51 million over three years ($17 million per year))
• Bryan Cook, S (signed with Bengals for $40.3 million over three years ($13.4 million per year))
• Leo Chenal, LB (signed with Commanders for $24.8 million over three years ($8.3 million per year))
• Joshua Williams, CB (signed with Titans for $10 million over two years ($5 million per year))
• Charles Omenihu (signed with Commanders for $7 million over one year)
• Gardner Minshew (signed with Cardinals for $5.8 million over one year)
• Isiah Pacheco (signed with Lions for $1.8 million over one year)
• Derrick Nnadi (signed with Colts for $1.1 million over one year)
• Malik Herring (signed with Titans for one year (unknown sum))

Re-Signings

• Travis Kelce, TE (signed for $12 million over one year)
• Tyquan Thornton, WR (signed for $11 million over two years ($5.5 million per year))

Additions

• Kenneth Walker III, RB (signed from Seahawks for $43.1 million over three years ($14.4 million per year))
• Alohi Gilman, S (signed from Ravens for $24.8 million over three years ($8.3 million per year))
• Khyris Tonga, DL (signed from Patriots for $21 million over three years ($7 million per year))
• Kader Kohou, CB (signed from Dolphins)
• Emari Demercado (signed from Cardinals)

Recap

Despite entering the offseason with negative cap space, the Kansas City Chiefs have managed to manipulate their books and make some large trades to enable their pursuit of other high-priced additions.

Their biggest move of the offseason, so far, has to be their decision to trade Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a Brinks truck full of draft picks. At face value, it seems like a great deal for the Chiefs. McDuffie is a fantastic cornerback, and while he's been elite in the slot, he's just been good on the outside. Instead of paying him like a premium outside cornerback, Kansas City is getting a first-round pick, another top-100 pick in 2027, and two additional late-round dart throws. Considering DC Steve Spagnuolo had no problem replacing Charvarius Ward and L'Jarius Sneed, this seems like a slam-dunk.

Plus, because they didn't have to spend on McDuffie, the Chiefs have been able to add four new veteran contributors. Super Bowl hero Kenneth Walker III was the top free-agent back available and will infuse the Chiefs' rushing attack with the explosive element they've been sorely lacking the past two seasons. Running behind KC's offensive line, Walker could easily have the best season of his career.

Alohi Gillman should replace Bryan Cook as one of the team's starting safeties, while Kader Kohou helps replace McDuffie's presence in the slot. Khyris Tonga was a run-stopping behemoth for the Patriots' defense last year and should bring that same impact to the Chiefs.

As the cherry on top, the Chiefs have also brought back important elements of their offensive arsenal, with both Travis Kelce and Tyquan Thornton agreeing to extensions.

Las Vegas Raiders

Losses

• Kenny Pickett, QB (signed with Panthers for $7.5 million over one year)
• Stone Forsythe, OT (signed with Panthers for $2 million over one year)
• Lonnie Johnson, CB (signed with Dolphins)

Re-Signings

• Eric Stokes, CB (signed for $30 million over three years ($10 million per year))
• Malcolm Koonce, EDGE (signed for $11 million over one year)

Additions

• Tyler Linderbaum, C (signed from Ravens for $81 million over three years ($27 milllion per year))
• Kwity Paye, EDGE (signed from Colts for $48 million over three years ($16 million per year))
• Quay Walker, LB (signed from Packers for $40.5 million over three years ($13.5 million per year))
• Nakobe Dean, LB (signed from Eagles for $36 million over three years ($12 million per year))
• Jalen Nailor, WR (signed from Vikings for $35 million over three years ($11.7 million per year))
• Connor Heyward, FB (signed from Steelers for $5.5 million over two years ($2.8 million per year))
• Dareke Young, WR (signed from Seahawks)

Recap

No team has spent more aggressively this offseason than the Las Vegas Raiders, though they might not have spent so aggressively if they knew the Maxx Crosby contract wouldn't be coming off their books.

The Crosby trade would've been the Raiders' biggest move of the offseason so far, which is saying something, as it would've perfectly set the table for Tom Brady and Co. to launch their rebuild campaign. Still, despite the failed trade with the Baltimore Ravens and losing zero projected starters so far, next year's Raiders will look dramatically different from the 2025 squad.

In an attempt to overhaul their front seven, Vegas is bringing in Kwity Paye from the Colts to help their pass rush, and Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to completely reshape their off-ball linebacker group.

The Raiders have also invested in making life easier for Ashton Jeanty, giving Tyler Linderbaum 50% more money than the previously highest-paid center (Creed Humphrey, making $18 million annually). Wide receiver Jalen Nailor is another offensive addition to monitor. He was buried in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but Nailor was regularly productive when he got his opportunities.

Los Angeles Chargers

Losses

• Odafe Oweh, EDGE (signed with Commanders for $100 million over four years ($25 million per year))
• Zion Johnson, G (signed with Browns for $49.5 million over three years ($16.5 million per year))
• Benjamin St. Juste, CB (signed with Packers for $10 million over two years ($5 million per year))
• Otito Ogbonnia, DL (signed with Cowboys for $3 million over one year)

Re-Signings

• Trey Pipkins, OT (signed for $10 million over two years ($5 million per year))
• Del'Shawn Phillips, EDGE (signed for $7.5 million over two years ($3.8 million per year))
• Deane Leonard, CB (signed for $2 million over one year)
• Denzel Perryman, LB (signed for unknown sum)
• Josh Harris, LS (signed for unknown sum)

Additions

• Tyler Biadasz, C (signed from Commanders for $30 million over three years ($10 million per year))
• Charlie Kolar, TE (signed from Ravens for $24.3 million over three years ($8.1 million per year))
• Cole Strange, G (signed from Dolphins for $13 million over two years ($6.5 million per year))
• Keaton Mitchell, RB (signed from Ravens for $9.3 million over two years ($4.6 million per year))
• Alec Ingold, FB (signed from Dolphins for $7.5 million over two years ($3.8 million per year))

Recap

The Los Angeles Chargers are presently the favorite to win the AFC West after adding Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, along with a bevy of new free agents.

Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange get the Chargers two of the three new starters they'll have to uncover on the offensive line, though Strange has largely been a disappointment since being selected in the first round, and Tyler Biadasz was released by a Washington Commanders team with limited offensive line depth. Charlie Kolar and Keaton Mitchell should help upgrade the Chargers rushing attack, as Kolar was one of the best blocking tight ends on the market and Mitchell is one of the fastest and most explosive running backs in the league.

The losses could be costly too. They're still one starter short on the offensive line following Zion Johnson's departure for Cleveland, and their pass rush takes a big hit with the departure of Odafe Oweh.