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3 Ways the Kansas City Chiefs Have Improved this Offseason

Published

11 months ago

May 13, 2025

3 Ways the Kansas City Chiefs Have Improved this Offseason

The Kansas City Chiefs have been the kings of the mountain in the NFL for the last several years. However, they were dethroned in an embarrassing fashion by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, leading to questions about how much longer they will remain as annual big-game contenders with the rest of the league getting better around them.

Kansas City did what it usually does when it starts seeing critiques: it answered the call and made some impressive improvements to its roster during the offseason, especially through the draft, where it handled three of its biggest needs.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the three ways the Chiefs improved their roster this offseason.

One of the biggest priorities for the Chiefs this offseason was finding their franchise’s left tackle. It had been a couple of years since Orlando Brown left the team and it has been a makeshift role since. With the lack of high-end talents available in free agency, general manager Brett Veach needed to hone in on the offensive tackle class with one player in mind, Ohio State’s Josh Simmons.

When healthy, Simmons was arguably the best tackle in the draft and could’ve been the No. 4 overall selection had it not been for the torn patellar tendon. Instead, he fell to the last pick of the first round, to the excitement of the Chiefs. Simmons has a chance to come in a be the missing piece on the blindside they have been needing for two years and establish himself as the long-term cornerstone at left tackle.

Simmons was the big piece of this. While it is somewhat concerning they did not drafting a guard to compete for the starting left guard spot, it seems as though the Chiefs have the utmost confidence in second-year player Kingsley Suamataia. Furthermore, Trey Smith is back on the franchise tag as the two parties look to secure an extension for one of the leagues best guards.

Long story short, the Chiefs’ offensive line is better than last year and it should certainly hold its own against some of the league’s best defensive fronts. Protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and giving him chances to make plays is a priority that, so far, should be deemed a success.

With the addition of Simmons, the Chiefs had an overall strong draft class. They were able to address their needs in the trenches at left tackle, interior defensive line, and edge rusher. Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte should find roles on the team fairly quickly this season and are slated as long-term pieces.

Depth-wise, talent was added at linebacker, cornerback, running back, and wide receiver. Wide receiver Jalen Royals and running back Brashard Smith could find themselves in bigger roles by the end of the season. Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa should see the field on passing downs, while cornerback Nohl Williams is a future starter at cornerback opposite of Trent McDuffie if he can improve his consistency.

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Pedestrian killed on westbound I-44 at Kansas Expressway

Published

11 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Pedestrian killed on westbound I-44 at Kansas Expressway

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – MoDOT reopened the westbound lanes of I-44 in Springfield around 9 a.m. after a deadly pedestrian crash on Thursday.

Police say a pedestrian was hit and killed on I-44 near the Kansas Expressway exit around 5 a.m. Police have not identified the victim.

Emergency officials closed the interstate for about three hours. Crews exited traffic off the Kansas Expressway and the West Bypass.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.

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Bill Self returning to Kansas next season after retirement speculation

Published

12 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Bill Self returning to Kansas next season after retirement speculation

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self is returning for a 24th season with the Jayhawks.

The program released a statement from Self on Wednesday confirming his return for another year with the program he has led to 21 regular-season conference championships, four Final Fours and a pair of national championships.

“With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas Basketball competing for a national championship,” Self said. “I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”

Jayhawks head coach Bill Self gestures during the first half of Kansas’ win over California Baptist in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Getty Images

The 63-year-old Self has a record of 840-272, not including the 15 wins that were vacated by the NCAA, putting him 12th on the career list.

He passed Phog Allen as the winningest coach at Kansas with a 77-69 win over Michigan State on November 12, 2024, and finished with a record of 633-167 while leading one of college basketball’s most storied programs.

Kansas’ season ended March 22 against St. John’s and fellow Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks rallied from a 13-point deficit with 7 1/2 minutes left, tying it with 13.1 seconds to go, only for the Red Storm’s Dylan Darling to hit a layup as time expired to end their season.

The Jayhawks have not survived the opening weekend of the tournament since 2022, when Self won his second national title.

“I’ve gone through some stuff off the court, so I’ll get back and get with family and visit and see what’s going on,” Self said following the loss in San Jose, California. “I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well. I’ll get back home and it will all be discussed.”

Self’s health has been a factor to monitor.

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talking to players during a timeout. — Kansas head coach Bill Self talks with players during a timeout against Cincinnati at Allen Fieldhouse. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

He was hospitalized just before the Big 12 Tournament in 2023 after feeling unwell, and had two stents inserted into his heart, which forced him to miss the NCAA tourney. Self had two more stents inserted last year, and this past January, he missed a game at Colorado after doctors advised him not to travel following a precautionary trip to the hospital.

“When you get to be doing it as long as I’ve done it, I looked at it in five-year increments. Now I’m probably looking at it in more two-year increments, so to speak,” he said. “So I try to focus on this season and try to get us to a second weekend — which we failed at — so I’ll go back now and break it down and see where that leads.”

Self won national titles at Kansas in 2008 and 2022. And he’s been especially good at Allen Fieldhouse, historically one of college basketball’s toughest venues. He is 27-6 against top-10 opponents at home, and his 131-81 record against Top 25 opposition is the third-best winning percentage among Division I coaches.

He also has sent 43 players to the NBA, and more could be on the way. Darryn Peterson is expected to be among the first three players to hear his name called in June, while Flory Bidunga and others could also be selected in the upcoming NBA draft.

Self was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

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Minnesota Twins bested by Kansas City Royals 3-1

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota Twins bested by Kansas City Royals 3-1

March 30, 2026 / 7:05 PM CDT
/ AP

The Minnesota Twins were defeated 3-1 by the Kansas City Royals, who used home runs by Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins, two hitters not known for their power, on an unseasonably warm day in front of a sellout crowd of 39,320 in Kansas City’s home opener.

The temperature at first pitch on Monday was 85 degrees.

In the first game at Kauffman Stadium since the Royals moved in the fences 8 to 10 feet, all four runs scored on home runs. However, all three home runs also would have been out with the old dimensions.

Kris Bubic (1-0) picked up the win for Kansas City. He allowed one run on two hits in six innings. John Schreiber pitched the ninth for his first save.

Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1) took the loss for the Twins.

Both Woods Richardson and Bubic were effective, though neither was brilliant. Woods Richardson allowed just two runs but on five hits. Bubic walked three. Both starters allowed baserunners in all but one inning.

Bubic was the third straight Royals starter to pitch at least six innings with one or fewer runs allowed after Michael Wacha allowed no runs in 6 innings Saturday and Seth Lugo allowed no runs in 6 1/3 innings on Sunday.

Matt Wallner opened the scoring in the second inning for the Twins with a 424-foot home run that nearly reached the fountains in right-center.

The Royals answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning when Isbel’s homer landed in the Royals bullpen in right field. Isbel managed only four home runs in all of 2025.

Collins then extended the lead to 3-1 with a 400-foot blast into the Twins bullpen in the seventh. It was Collins’ first hit this season, having started the season 0-for-8.