The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the 2026 season with a clear mission: bounce back from a disappointing 6-11 campaign. And one of their biggest adjustments might come in the secondary, where a rookie is poised to take over for a veteran who logged a staggering 1,021 snaps last season.

Cornerback Chamarri Conner was on the field more than almost any other Chiefs defender in 2025, but his performance left much to be desired. According to ESPN's Ben Solak, Conner ranked near the bottom of the league in slot coverage over the past two seasons, allowing 0.11 EPA per target and a 53.8% success rate—only rookie Jacob Parrish was worse. Simply put, Conner struggled to make plays at the catch point, making him a liability in a full-time coverage role.

Enter Jadon Canady, the Chiefs' fourth-round pick out of Oregon. Like Conner, Canady spent time at safety in college, but his best work came in the slot. Over his final two seasons with the Ducks, he broke up 19 passes, showcasing the ball-hawking ability that Conner lacked. Canady will compete with free-agent signing Kader Kohou for the starting slot job, giving Kansas City a much-needed upgrade at a position that was a weak link in 2025.

This doesn't necessarily mean Conner is out of the picture entirely. Solak suggests the Chiefs could move him to a safety role, where his physicality might be better suited. But even there, he's unlikely to start, meaning Conner will likely see far fewer snaps in 2026 than he did last season.

For a Chiefs team looking to rebound, this kind of roster shakeup is exactly what the doctor ordered. Replacing a 1,000-snap player with a hungry rookie could be the spark the defense needs to get back on track.