Patrick Mahomes is on track to be back for training camp, and suddenly the Chiefs look like they’re on the upswing again. But there’s a hole on this roster that could bite them if they don’t address it before the 2026 season gets rolling.
Kansas City needs to get after the quarterback. That was a problem last year, and it could be again if they walk into camp without adding a veteran edge rusher.
The good news is there’s a guy out there who might be willing to take a situational role and still produce like a starter. Jadeveon Clowney is coming off a quietly strong year in Dallas, and he made it clear he’s not done yet.
“I just came off a great season, looking forward to doing it again,” Clowney told reporters. “Continue to prove to people and show the balance. I walk in every year and play well on every scheme and every team I’ve been on. I want to continue to do that going into year 13. Showing people wrong and proving that I can still play at a high level.”
The numbers back him up
Clowney finished 2025 with 8.5 sacks in just 13 games. He added 10 quarterback hits and batted down four passes, and he did that on fewer than 44 percent of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, his 19.1 percent pressure rate ranked fourth among nearly 200 pass rushers with at least 200 snaps. The only names ahead of him? Will Anderson Jr., Nik Bonitto and Micah Parsons.
He also made tackles on 21.9 percent of his run snaps, which led the league among non-off-ball linebackers. The guy can still do everything well enough to help a contender.
The Chiefs wouldn’t need him to start. They could use him as a closer — third downs, obvious passing situations, fourth quarter when they’re protecting a lead. That’s exactly the type of role that keeps a 33-year-old edge rusher fresh.
If not Clowney, who else is out there?
Kansas City isn’t the betting favorite to land Clowney, but that doesn’t mean much in March. The team that calls first sometimes wins.
If that doesn’t work, there are other options. Haason Reddick is only a few years removed from back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, and he’s got motivation. He lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII with the Eagles, then got traded to the Jets. Philly won it all without him. You think he wouldn’t want a shot at that ring?
Von Miller is still getting it done too. He managed nine sacks for a Commanders team that was rarely ahead late in games. No garbage-time stat padding there.
Leonard Floyd, Kyle Van Noy and Derek Barnett are all available as well. The Chiefs don’t need a superstar. They need a reliable body who can win one-on-one matchups in obvious passing situations.
ESPN’s Nate Taylor noted that the Chiefs are currently looking at Ashton Gillotte and rookie R Mason Thomas to fill the role. “Last season, Gillotte improved in the second half of the season, finishing with 1.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and an interception,” Taylor wrote. “He’s the safe option. But many veterans have been impressed with Thomas’ quickness and speed off the edge, which makes him a type of pass rusher they haven’t had in many years.”
That’s the hope. But hoping a rookie and a late-developing second-year guy can hold up over a full season is a gamble the Chiefs don’t need to take. They’ve got Mahomes coming back. The window is open. They just need someone to help slam it shut.
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