Although the Kansas City Chiefs currently have a few new faces, the main strategy of the offseason seemed to be to keep the group together for another year. We can’t blame them, as this core roster has won two consecutive Super Bowl titles.

This year, the Chiefs took several players to the open market and brought back a large portion of them one by one. From running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to linebacker Drue Tranquill and defensive end Mike Danna to several defensive tackles, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach obviously liked the idea of ​​bringing back known quantities rather than experimenting with the unknown.

However, there are still a few players on the open market as former Chiefs wait for a new home. It’s entirely possible that some veterans are being picky and waiting for a season-ending injury before signing. Others may be waiting for the phone to ring. Whatever the reason, here are four players you may not have known were still available.

Blake Bell was always one-dimensional as a tight end for the Chiefs, but the team needed his exemplary blocking and he was always good for the odd surprise on offense. But Bell has always been a player on the fringe of the roster who could be overshadowed by a more versatile option, and the Chiefs made two moves this spring: signing Irv Smith and signing Jared Wiley.

Bell is still a free agent and could be courted by the Chiefs if he gets injured, but for now the team has good reasons to value the offensive potential of multi-TE sets that pair players like Travis Kelce and Noah Gray with Wiley. Smith could also convince the Chiefs to keep a fourth TE with a solid preseason.

As for Bell, someone should contact him at some point if he wants to extend his career, but even if not, he can be pretty proud of a solid nine-year career.

No one would ever think that replacing a backup quarterback would be considered “big shoes to fill,” but there’s no doubt that the Chiefs really liked Kingdom Chad Henne as their QB2 in KC. Even though Henne didn’t play much, he was quite effective in the few situations he was called into action in, and his 98-yard touchdown drive in the Divisional Round two seasons ago is exactly what can make the playoffs memorable for a player at any point.

Blaine Gabbert was called up to replace Henne after the popular backup retired. Although it was a homecoming of sorts, the Mizzou quarterback didn’t see action until garbage time and even then he didn’t look that great. The Chiefs have made rapid progress this offseason for good reason and Carson Wentz should be the best backup Mahomes has ever had.

Back to Gabbert. In a league that loves to recycle quarterback talent, we’re a little shocked he doesn’t have a new home after playing and winning a title in KC last year. However, he’s turning 35 soon and maybe his pro chapter is over. At the very least, Gabbert will need a few injuries to resurface in the league.

This time last year, James was hoping to have a breakout season with the New York Giants in 2022, racking up yards in the Chiefs’ dynamic offense. Rather than honoring his switch from Daniel Jones to Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, injuries prevented James from finding his footing early on, and he failed to stand out from a mediocre pack even after he returned. Speaking of returns, James hasn’t been particularly convincing in that regard either.

It’s possible James could find a new team, but he’ll soon be 29 in a league where it’s not hard to find once-exciting wideouts waiting for a second chance, so we may have seen the last of James at this point.

It’s a bit surprising that Donovan Smith is still in the running as a potential free agent for a couple of reasons. First, Smith was a full-time starting left tackle on football’s best team just last season and was a model of consistency until a few seasons ago. But even last summer, the Chiefs used him as a LT in the preseason without hesitation and only an injury took him out of that role.

Given his championship experience with the Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Smith would be an excellent addition to any line, including the intangibles he would bring to the organization. Not to mention, it can be difficult to find good tackle players these days, and Smith is a good safety even if a team wants a younger player.

Having said all that, Veach might want to call him.