“We’ve got good people”: Andy Reid sees rare opportunity as Chiefs’ 2026 draft outlook becomes clearer before Raiders finale

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders with a season that did not turn out in the way they hoped. For a franchise used to January football and late draft selections, the 2025 season has been extremely bumpy.

A number of crucial losses and injuries changed everything for the worse, eliminating them from postseason contention. Yet even in a disappointing year, head coach Andy Reid has found a silver lining. The season proved to be a vital for the team to introspect, accepting the grim reality and planning for what comes next. For the Chiefs, that future now includes a rare chance to pick early in the NFL Draft, something that could reshape the roster in a meaningful way.

A high draft pick, major injuries and emotional goodbyes shape the Chiefs’ final week

Reid addressed the situation with calm honesty, saying, “It’s something to look forward to. It’s not where you want to be (record-wise), but it is where we are. We’ve got good people doing the picking, headed up by (GM) Brett (Veach).” According to projections from the New York Times simulator, Kansas City is very likely to land inside the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The ninth overall pick carries the highest probability, with strong chances also at eight, 10, and 11.

For a team that usually drafts near the bottom because of deep playoff runs, this is a major shift. Reid has drafted in the top 10 only once with the Chiefs, back in 2013. Even Patrick Mahomes required a trade-up in 2017.The upcoming game with the Raiders itself may not drastically change the draft slot, but it carries emotional weight for the team. This marks Kansas City’s first season without a playoff appearance since 2014.

More importantly, the team is navigating recent games without Mahomes, who suffered the most serious injury of his career.His ACL and LCL injury will keep him sidelined through most of the 2026 offseason, forcing the coaching staff to adapt and improvise. There is also the looming question of Travis Kelce’s future. Retirement rumors are growing louder, and this game could be his final appearance. Fans hope the team steps up their game against the Raiders.Also read: “I can't even look him in his eyes right now”: Emotional Travis Kelce admits he let coach Andy Reid down during Chiefs’ tough season