While the Kansas City Chiefs went just 6-11 and missed the playoffs in 2025, their defense wasn't the biggest problem. They finished the season ranking sixth in points allowed per game (19.3) and 10th in total yards per game (301.5).
Among that unit was safety Bryan Cook. He started all 17 games, recording 85 tackles, one tackle for loss and six pass deflections. He was also targeted 53 times, allowing 37 receptions for 468 yards and five touchdowns.
Cook finished the year earning a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 83.5, which ranked fourth out of 98 qualified safeties. However, the former Cincinnati Bearcat was playing on the final year of his rookie contract.
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Without an extension in place, the safety is set to hit free agency on March 11. Fox Sports' Greg Auman predicts that Cook won't be coming back to the Chiefs, instead signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"What's tricky is the Chiefs have the least cap space of any NFL team, so they're going to have to let talented young players walk and must prioritize which, if any, they're able to extend," Auman wrote.
Kansas City sits $57.9 million over the cap. It creates a difficult situation because every team must be under the final salary cap once the new league year begins. With Cook's market value projecting him to earn a four-year, $56.7 million contract, per Spotrac, the Chiefs may not be able to afford him.
While his time with the Chiefs has been surrounded by success, playing on two Super Bowl-winning teams — though he missed the 2024 Super Bowl with an injury — and starting 47 games, signs are pointing to his career in Kansas City coming to an end.