The Kansas City Chiefs have lots of positives going into the 2025-26 season, and when it comes to those advantages, the team usually gets props for their big-named players, such as Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, as well as their stellar coaching staff, led by Andy Reid. But, there’s more to the Chiefs than just Kelce, Mahomes and company.
The Chiefs will play their first preseason game of the year on Saturday, Aug. 9, when they go up against the Arizona Cardinals on the road. The preseason, of course, gives the team the opportunity to play some of their new and younger players to see how they perform in a setting such as the NFL. For rookies, going from college football to the NFL is a big leap.
When it comes to that young roster, one of the most important pieces of any team is how many young players they have in the squad. Having a younger the team really helps set the franchise up for the future. Now, ESPN has a new tally out of the best NFL rosters under the age of 25, so let’s see where the Chiefs stand.
Kansas City Chiefs Have a Budding Squad
Young talent is a positive thing on any roster. Aaron Schatz of ESPN has an article out, published on Tuesday, July 29, discussing the top teams in the NFL with players under the age of 25. Schatz notes in the piece that “NFL teams don’t need young talent to be serious contenders, but having it helps indicate their potential for long-term success. Blue-chip players are cornerstone assets from whom teams will likely derive their biggest future value.”
As for where the Chiefs land, it’s good. He has them at No. 13, up from No. 14 last year. Among the team’s best players under 25 are wide receiver Xavier Worthy and cornerback Trent McDuffie.
“Kansas City’s talent under 25 generally comes in three categories: extremely valuable players, guys who didn’t make it but still might and this year’s draft picks,” Schatz says in the piece.
He adds that a few of the best players are going to be 25 soon, including McDuffie, who will turn 25 in September. “The first group starts off with second-team All-Pro McDuffie, who played more on the outside last season after making the first All-Pro team as a slot corner in 2023,” Schatz notes. He adds that “edge rusher George Karlaftis is also 24, and Worthy, who broke out in the second half of last season, is 22.”
The team’s draft picks, of course, are young and promising in left tackle Josh Simmons, who is 22 years old; defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, who is 23; and edge Ashton Gillotte and cornerback Nohl Williams, who are each are 22.
The Team in the NFL With Youth on Their Side
So, which NFL team is the youngest in the league? It’s the Texans. “For the third straight year, the Houston Texans are No. 1 on this list of teams with the most under-25 talent, which is what happens when they trade up to get the top two picks in the draft and take two players who are very young,” Schatz states.
So, the Chiefs might not be the youngest team in the NFL, but they’re certainly on the younger side. Thankfully, that’s one more advantage that they’ll have this season.
