What's next for Chiefs' Bryan Cook? After career year in Kansas City, he discusses his future
Cook, a Kansas City Chiefs safety, will be a free agent. He talks about what K.C. has meant to him and whether he's open to coming back.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook is set to be an unrestricted free agent following Sunday’s road game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
How does he plan to keep himself occupied during the busy weeks after that?
“Changing a lot of diapers,” Cook said with a smile in the Chiefs locker room Wednesday.
Yes, Cook will have plenty of home responsibilities once the season ends, with daughter Jaycee and son Bryson both under 2 years of age.
Cook understands this could be a time of transition for him as well, as he hits the open market after playing his first four seasons with the Chiefs.
“I know at the end of the day, the locker room is gonna change. It does every year. But now, I’m one of the guys that might be changing,” Cook told The Athletic. “However, whether that be the case or not, I have an opportunity to play with these guys in this last game. As far as the season, I just try to enjoy each moment.”
Cook, originally drafted by the Chiefs in the second round in 2022, has made the most of his opportunities this year while showing drastic improvement.
Proof? Pro Football Focus ranks Cook as the team’s top-graded defender (82.2) among players with at least 50 snaps. His grade also ranks fourth among 66 NFL safeties who have played at least half their team’s defensive plays.
What’s led to this jump? Cook, in part, credits being “more calm” on the football field.
“I understand the ins and outs of things — more polished being out there for some years now,” Cook said. “I’ve had my own battles, obstacles that I overcame as well. Just more time and getting better with time.”
Those around him have taken note as well.
That includes defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who said last week that Cook “runs the show back there” as the communication leader in the Chiefs’ secondary.
“I think he’s done a really outstanding job tackling. He’s a safety … you guys see it. He’ll come up and hit. He’s a big guy,” Spagnuolo said. “I’m really pleased with the solid year that he’s had.”
Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton says he’s also relied on Cook for on-field feedback during defensive checks. There have even been times, in fact, when Bolton has called out one playcall, but Cook has spoken up to override him based on what he’s seeing from the offense.
“He’s definitely been evolving year to year,” Bolton said. “And this year, he’s obviously taken big steps, just making sure everybody’s on the same page, including me.”
Cook’s future with Kansas City remains uncertain at best.
The Chiefs don’t project to have much salary-cap room before the 2026 season, while Cook should be in demand. Spotrac, for instance, at $14.4 million annually; previous history also suggests he’ll be in line for a multi-year deal.