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2 Chiefs first-stringers in danger of losing starting jobs ahead of 2026 NFL season
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- 2 Chiefs first-stringers in danger of losing starting jobs ahead of 2026 NFL season
2 Chiefs first-stringers in danger of losing starting jobs ahead of 2026 NFL season appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Kansas City Chiefs have a championship-caliber core, evidenced by the fact that they've won three and been to five Super Bowls over the past seven seasons. However, their sustained success has led to regular roster change, as the entire NFL often tries to poach their players during free agency. The team is in the midst of a dynasty and has regularly done a good job of replenishing the roster, though.
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The 2026 season will be a big test for the franchise led by Patrick Mahomes , though. The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time during Mahomes' era last season, and changes need to be made for Kansas City to get back on track. A lot of changes came in the offseason, and now the team's depth chart could look a whole lot different this year. Are there any first-stringers in danger of losing their starting jobs, though?
Note: The Chiefs haven't released an unofficial or official depth chart, so ourlads.com was used for the Chiefs' depth chart here
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L'Jarius Sneed could rediscover his Kansas City magic
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
L'Jarius Sneed played for the Chiefs from 2020 to 2023. During that span, the cornerback won two Super Bowls and established himself as one of the best players at his position group in the NFL. In particular, Sneed made big play after big play during his final season in Kansas City, which led to him pricing himself out of the Chiefs' budget.
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Kansas City traded Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, where he played each of the past two seasons. Sneed's time in his new home was marred by injuries, though. The cornerback played just 12 games over two seasons before Tennessee gave up hope and released him. Sneed came crawling back home and signed a one-year deal to return to Kansas City.
However, Sneed's recent struggles have ourlads assuming he'll be second-string for the Chiefs. This could be proven to be false on a number of fronts. For starters, if Sneed can return to his previous Chiefs form, then he will surely retake the starting gig that was his just a couple of years ago.
Additionally, the Chiefs need all of the secondary help they can get, as they lost both of their top cornerbacks to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. Trent McDuffie went to LA via trade , and Jaylen Watson bolted in free agency. Now, Nohl Williams is above Sneed on the depth chart. Williams started just five games during his rookie season, and Kansas City is in no place to prioritize development over winning now. Sneed is a proven commodity who, as long as he stays healthy, could surely get back to not just starting, but to excelling at the cornerback position.
Khyiris Tonga could lose his starting job at some point
The Chiefs have put a focus on improving their defensive line in recent years. Just this year, they drafted R Mason Thomas and Peter Woods. Those two rookies are currently listed behind George Karlaftis and Chris Jones , respectively, and, therefore, out of the running to start the season, barring an injury.
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Khyiris Tonga, meanwhile, could be supplanted. The defensive tackle opposite of Jones was signed in the offseason to a three-year, $21 million deal. While that contract does show some level of commitment from Kansas City, it was a surprise that a journeyman was able to earn such contractual security.
The Chiefs are Tonga's sixth team to date since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite having five seasons to his name, Tonga only has half a sack through his entire career. He is a solid run stuffer who takes up space, but Omarr Norman-Lott has the potential to do so much more.
The Tennessee product was drafted in the second round just last year. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Week 7 of his rookie season, which has him out of training camp action and on the PUP right now. If Norman-Lott can get back on the field soon, though, he could certainly push Tonga for the starting job. The Chiefs need a burst of defensive explosion, and Norman-Lott offers just that.
