To his credit, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach made a strong start on Monday when the legal tampering period began. Within thirty minutes, the Chiefs signed Super Bowl LX MVP, running back Kenneth Walker III, and they were off to the races. 

That early moment in free agency became a reality when Veach freed up cap space, made roster cuts, and committed to sign impactful free agents in the opening hours of free agency.

First, he had to decide the fate of his own roster. There were many players Veach knew he couldn’t sign, but among all the players he released, none were part of the bigger picture ahead. In fact, with so many players leaving, Kansas City now has only one player from its highly regarded 2022 draft class: George Karlaftis. 

Still, for the Chiefs to make a splash early shows they’ve learned from their past mistakes. Additionally, they targeted Walker and didn’t back down until he agreed to a deal with Kansas City. Now the Chiefs have their first home run threat since Jamaal Charles.

Likely, the post-season didn’t sit well with Veach. With the additional time to prepare for the off-season, he made some tough choices by releasing veterans Mike Danna and Jawaan Taylor and trading Trent McDuffie in cap-cutting moves to set the stage for the free agent fireworks.

But he wasn’t done jettisoning key contributors like Jaylen Watson, Charles Omenihu, Leo Chenal, Isiah Pacheco, Joshua Williams, Gardner Minshew, Bryan Cook, Derrick Nnadi, and Malik Herring. That’s 12 players, mostly starters, whom he considered no longer good enough to wear a Chiefs uniform.

He did retain both Travis Kelce and Tyquan Thornton, which were smart decisions. Kelce has one more year left, and Thornton, under new Wide Receivers Coach Chad O’Shea, could have a bigger impact on the offense this season.

All those moves meant Veach could sign Walker, add free agent safety Alohi Gillman, and sign defensive tackle Kyiris Tonga. All three players addressed major needs for Kansas City that Veach targeted early in free agency.

Walker is the top running back in the NFL and a Super Bowl hero. He will add a dynamic element to the offense that Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy will leverage. His NFL success clearly shows that the Chiefs’ offense is ready to exploit his strengths.

That means we should see Patrick Mahomes under center more often and avoid the RPO nonsense that has slowed down the offense over the past two years. That shift is significant, and with this decision, signing a back like Walker was essential to its new beginning.

On the other side of the ball, Gillman replaces Cook, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Gillman is a versatile safety who will remind Chiefs fans of Justin Reid. Tonga is a true nose tackle who should help Chris Jones excel this season.

Once the dust settled, Veach added running back Emari Demercado to back up Walker, cornerback Kader Kohou to replace McDuffie in the slot, re-signed Guard Mike Caliendo, and traded for New York Jets Quarterback Justin Fields.

The plan was clear, but the message this off-season has sent to the Chiefs Kingdom should be loud and unmistakable. This team admitted their mistakes in roster building and coaching philosophy that led to an embarrassing Super Bowl loss and a disastrous 2025 season.

For a franchise that has enjoyed so much success over the past decade, admitting its mistakes is one thing, but addressing them requires setting aside egos and coming together as a unified organization with a clear plan.

With this renewed vigor and clarity since the season ended, I believe 2025 was just a minor setback in their pursuit of a dynasty. Let’s be frank, Andy Reid and Brett Veach work for Clark Hunt, and he was just as responsible for the wake-up call as anyone else. After all, he writes the checks.

The Chiefs head into the middle of March with additional cap space to tweak the roster and prepare for the 2026 Draft class. Yet, if they want to be aggressive, they can free up more money if they decide someone needs to be added to the roster in the coming days, weeks, or months.

Still, what they have accomplished so far is impressive, and if you look into the 2027 Crystal Ball, Kansas City could have $100 million in cap space.

I still believe they need to sign a pass rusher, which could be veteran Cameron Jordan, and a veteran wide receiver before the NFL Draft next month. That might be Tyreek Hill, but I would not rule out bringing back JuJu Smith-Schuster for one last season.

For now, the Chiefs have made their moves and will evaluate the updated roster. The NFL Draft, where they will have ten picks, including three in the Top 40, should help Kansas City find three starters to replace some of their losses, which has been their plan all along. 

Regardless, they get high marks for pursuing their objective of reshaping their championship path.

The post Chiefs Turn Up the Heat on the Off-Season first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

When backup quarterback Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs found themselves without a backup quarterback. Patrick Mahomes was recovering from knee surgery, and with free agency starting last week, Head Coach Andy Reid had not yet filled this important position on his roster.

On Monday, the New York Jets made a significant change by trading former starter Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs. In exchange, the Jets will receive a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. As part of the trade, the Jets will cover $7 million of the $10 million owed to Fields for the 2026 season.

Fields broke into the NFL in 2021 as the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick (#11) and had instant success. However, with coaching changes, roster subtractions, and a new team president, he played one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the New York Jets.

In Kansas City, the former Ohio State Quarterback will get a chance to learn a very complex system and perhaps resurrect his NFL Career. It’s possible that if he has success, especially if he opens the season as the starter, Kansas City would have leverage to sign him long-term or trade him at the NFL deadline this season.

Both teams are making bold moves to address their quarterback issues. Last week, New York reacquired quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, which led them to take action regarding quarterback Justin Fields. Although Fields had opportunities with other teams, he ultimately decided to join Kansas City.

With this trade, the Chiefs now have approximately $11 million in cap space after finalizing the contract for Tight End Travis Kelce. However, Kansas City still needs to account for some of its recent free agent signings. At some point, General Manager Brett Veach will need to create additional cap space to accommodate the 2026 draft class.

Either way, the move to add a young quarterback with NFL experience is something new for Reid and Veach. In the past, they have preferred to go the veteran route, and by acquiring Fields, the Chiefs could use him in a variety of roles – especially in short-yardage situations.

Still, this was a big get for the Chiefs and Fields, who finally get a coaching structure that preaches discipline and accountability within the offense that could use his talents on the field, even as a backup to Mahomes.

Stay tuned to ChiefsBlitz.com for all the news on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The post Chiefs Acquire Former First Round Pick first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

Spencer Fano (University Of Utah) 

He demonstrates strong pass protection skills and has above-average fundamentals in both the passing and running games. He excels at anchoring against bull rushes and effectively using angles. However, he struggles with penalties and handling inside pressure. I hope he proves himself this year; otherwise, I will consider this contract disappointing and a failure so far. It hasn’t met my expectations. I also hope there’s a competition for the right tackle position during training camp. 

He is a 6’5″, 311-pound offensive tackle who played three seasons at Utah. During his time there, he participated in 822 snaps, with 382 dedicated to pass blocking and 440 to run blocking. He incurred 5 penalties, allowed no sacks, and gave up 5 pressures. His impressive performance earned him the title of 2025 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, along with All-American honors.

At the NFL Combine, he recorded a time of 4.91 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a 32-inch vertical jump, a 9’3″ broad jump, 7.34 seconds in the 3-cone drill, and 4.67 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle. He is a three-year starter with experience at both tackle positions. 

His footwork and body control enable him to stay connected on move blocks, and he demonstrates excellent hand strike quickness when allowed to fire out. However, he can sometimes be pressured and displaced by defensive ends and tackles with heavy hands, and he tends to open up too quickly, which can leave him susceptible to inside moves. Overall, I think this move would definitely help Mahomes in the pocket.

Francis Maugioa (University of Miami)

He is a 6’6″, 315-pound offensive tackle who spent three seasons with Miami. During that time, he recorded 826 offensive snaps, including 440 pass-blocking snaps and 386 run-blocking snaps. He allowed 2 sacks, 3 hits, and a total of 10 pressures.

Some of his strengths include excellent positioning when working in double teams, good contact balance, and a strong core. He effectively latches onto and redirects pass rushers around the pocket. Additionally, he possesses the footwork, anchor, and punch timing necessary to make a significant impact in his pass protection approach.

He has a few weaknesses, particularly when facing a spin move from the defensive end; he struggles to counter effectively in pass protection. This is a concern, especially because he tends to fall off blocks when his feet lag behind his pads. 

It’s important not to reach for any of these players or overpay for them. However, I’m excited to see who emerges as the starting right tackle and who the Chiefs bring in to compete for that position.

Esa Pole (Kansas City Chiefs)

He is a 6’7″, 319-pound offensive tackle who spent one season in the NFL with the Chiefs and the Jets. During that time, he recorded 275 offensive snaps, which included 186 pass-blocking snaps and 89 run-blocking snaps. He was charged with 3 penalties, allowed 1 sack, permitted 4 hits, and surrendered a total of 15 pressures. 

In Week 14, he replaced Wanya Morris in a game against the Houston Texans, where he played 63 snaps, allowing only 3 pressures and no sacks. He is a versatile tackle who can play both left and right tackle, as well as guard. He displays lateral quickness, good movement, and fluid pass sets, which contributed to his impressive performance: he had zero sacks in the 2024 season while playing 498 pass-blocking snaps. 

The only downside is that he has raw technique due to starting football late in his junior college years, which can result in choppy footwork. I’m eager to see how he performs in the 2025 season with the Chiefs and hope they give him a shot at the starting Right Tackle position. I can’t wait for training camp!

James Hudson (New York Giants)

He is a 6’5″, 313-pound offensive tackle who spent four seasons in the NFL with the Giants and the Browns. In the 2025 season, he played 85 offensive snaps, allowing 1 sack, 2 hits, and 4 hurries. Additionally, he recorded five penalties during that season. Some of his strengths include his versatility at both right and left tackle, his ability to reach the second level in run blocking, and his skill in handling speedy edge rushers. 

However, he does have weaknesses, particularly in pass protection; he has allowed some high-pressure plays against elite pass rushers, and he only started one full season in college. If the Chiefs were to sign him, I would expect him to serve as a backup or swing tackle rather than to secure a starting position.

Jaylon Moore (Kansas City Chiefs) 

He is a 6’0″, 311-pound offensive tackle who played five seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. In 2025, he recorded a total of 427 offensive snaps, which included 257 pass-blocking snaps and 170 run-blocking snaps. During that season, he allowed 3 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 27 total pressures. He signed a two-year, $30 million contract.

He demonstrates strong pass protection skills and has above-average fundamentals in both the passing and running games. He excels at anchoring against bull rushes and effectively using angles. However, he struggles with penalties and handling inside pressure. I hope he proves himself this year; otherwise, I will consider this contract disappointing and a failure so far. It hasn’t met my expectations. I also hope there’s a competition for the right tackle position during training camp.

The post Chiefs Best Fit For Right Tackle This Season first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to tinker with their roster ahead of next month’s NFL Draft. In response to their commitment to continue the evolution of their offensive line, the team is bringing back Guard Mike Caliendo.

With the release of right tackle Jawaan Taylor, the Kansas City Chiefs will either draft a new one or have last year’s top free agent pick-up, Jaylon Moore, step into the role. However, Kansas City has little to no depth on the interior of the offensive line, so after refusing to tender guard Mike Caliendo, the team is bringing him back.

Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Chiefs re-signed Caliendo to a one-year deal. He had offers from several teams but chose to return to Kansas City. The sometimes spot starter was an important part of the offensive line, and he filled in well when Trey Smith was injured.

The Chiefs took a gamble last season by switching Kingsley Suamataia from Tackle to Guard, but he proved to be the most consistent offensive lineman after Center Creed Humphrey in 2025. His ability to play either guard position or center makes this signing a low-risk move.

However, this move doesn’t mean the Chiefs are finished with the offensive line. As mentioned, the team isn’t sold on Moore, and they have spoken with free-agent tackles James Hudson (Giants) and Rasheed Walker (Packers). Both signed elsewhere, but the Chiefs looked into them anyway.

In fact, many mock drafts suggest the Chiefs are considering tackles Spencer Fano (Utah) and Francis Mauigoa (Miami), who could end up in Kansas City with the 9th overall pick in the first round. Granted, Kansas City has other needs, but if they can find a young tackle opposite of Josh Simmons, don’t be surprised if they go that route.

With a pair of first-round picks, the Chiefs are in the catbird seat if there is a position run that could end up benefiting With a pair of first-round picks, the Chiefs are in a strong position if there’s a run on certain positions that could benefit Kansas City by trading the 9th pick to acquire more draft talent.Kansas City by trading the 9th pick to grab additional draft caliber.

Stay tuned to ChiefsBlitz.com for all the latest Chiefs news!

The post Versatile Offensive Lineman Returns to Chiefs first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

Cam Jordan DE (Saints)

He is a 6’4”, 287-pound defensive end who played 15 seasons in the NFL. Last year, he played 17 games, combining for 47 total tackles, 32 solo tackles, and 15 assist tackles. 10.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. In his career, he played 243 games, recording 763 total tackles (495 solo, 268 assists), 132 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. 

Cam Jordan brings experience and leadership to the defense line. He would help out Chris Jones and Tonga big time. He is known for his high motor and his run-stopping presence. He brings great leverage and elite short-area quickness. Some of his weaknesses are his age and the fact that he has to be a rotational player. I would expect him to sign a 1 year 8 million deal. Signed him to get some more help on the defensive line.

Kenneth Murray Jr. LB (Cowboys) 

He is a 6’2”, 242-pound linebacker who spent 7 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers, Titans, and Cowboys. This year, he played 17 games in which he combined 81 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, 43 assist tackles, and 1 forced fumble. In his whole career, he played 90 games, 497 total tackles, 309 solo tackles, 188 assist tackles, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. 

He makes a high-effort tackle, shoots the gaps to stop the run, and plays with a high motor. He is a big liability in pass coverage and is poor at shedding blocks. I expect him to sign a 1-year, $4-$6 million deal; he may be seeking to prove it. A cheap option that could help the young rookies out on this defense. I would love for him to get a chance.

Jauan Jennings WR (49ers)

He is a 6’3”, 212-pound wide receiver who spent 5 seasons with the 49ers. This year, he played 15 games, catching 55 passes for 643 receiving yards, averaging 11.7 yards per catch, with 9 touchdowns. In his career, he played 75 games, recording 210 receptions for 2,581 receiving yards, averaging 12.3 yards per catch, and scoring 22 touchdowns. 

He is a tough, reliable pass catcher who is willing to block and work in the middle of the field. He is also a red zone threat we really need. The Chiefs lack some point-scoring in the red zone, and he also plays a tough style. I think his biggest weakness is staying healthy. I would expect him to sign a 3-year, $66 million deal. Bring another receiver who is a tough, reliable receiver that can also block, and bring some weapons to Mahomes and to back off of Kelce, so he doesn’t get to focus on. I want this signing so we can draft defense in the draft.

BREAKING NEWS – Free Agent Signings

Kader Kohou CB (1-Year Deal)

He is a 5’10”, 197-pound cornerback who spent 4 seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins. He didn’t play last year after returning from a torn ACL, but in the 2024 season, he played in 15 games. He had 45 total tackles, 33 solo tackles, 12 assist tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions

In his career, he played 47 games, totaling 180 tackles (148 solo, 32 assists), 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. He is known for his run support and reliable short field coverage, and effective open tackling only downside is his size; he has a smaller build, and he is coming off a torn ACL. But I love this signing and can’t wait to see him play.

Emari Demercado RB (1-Year Deal) 

He is a 5’9”, 215-pound running back who spent 3 seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals. Last year, he played 13 games, had 44 carries for 312 rushing yards (7.1 yards per carry), 13 receptions for 101 receiving yards (7.8 yards per catch), and 1 touchdown. In his career, he played 40 games. In those games, he had 126 carries for 819 rushing yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, and 3 touchdowns. 

He had 50 receptions for 324 receiving yards, averaging 6.5 yards per catch, and 1 touchdown. He is known for his efficiency as a receiving back and as a third-down back. He has excellent ball security, with few fumbles during his time on the field. He struggles at times to be a consistent red-zone threat and goal-line threat, but I’m excited to see Walker, Demercado, and Smith. I can’t wait, I love the signing. 

The post Chiefs Best Fit For Free Agency  first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

Last season, Arizona Cardinals running back Ereari Demercado was a pleasant surprise for the NFC West team. He had over 1,100 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in three seasons with the Cardinals. The former TCU Horn Frog is a fast, powerful back that should blend nicely with the Chiefs’ new running back, Kenneth Walker III.

He was not tendered by the Cardinals, and if you remember, he was involved in a sideline incident with former Arizona Head Coach Jonathan Gannon when he let the ball go before reaching the goal line, which cost the Cardinals six points.

Kansas City now has three running backs that complement each other. Last season, the Chiefs traded up in the 7th round to select SMU’s Brahsard Smith. Though he didn’t get too many chances with the ball in his hands, he did make an impact on special teams.

Still, you wonder with the addition of Demercado if the Chiefs might consider using him as a slot receiver, as he did for the Hurricanes at Miami.

Per Jordan Schultz of @Schultz Report, the deal with the Chiefs is a one-year contract. This is a solid move by the Chiefs because Demercado has the power to handle short-yardage situations like Kareem Hunt and the pass-catching ability of former Chiefs Jerrick McKinnon.

I wonder if this move precludes the Chiefs from drafting a running back in April. Most Mock Drafts had them taking another running back to team with Walker. Then again perhaps they’ll use one of their ten picks for depth purposes, or my assumption about Smith could mean a position switch is in his future.

Either way, this is a good problem for the Chiefs as they continue to overhaul their roster haeding into the 2026 season.

Stay tuned to ChiefsBlitz.com for all the latest Chiefs news and analysis.

The post Chiefs Add New Weapon for Mahomes first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

Last summer, while practicing with the Miami Dolphins, cornerback Kader Kahou was lining up opposite Tyreek Hill when his knee gave out. The diagnosis was a partial (not full) ACL injury that required surgery. On Thursday, the Chiefs’ medical staff concurred that he’d been cleared to practice and would be ready for off-season workouts.

Per Jordan Schultz @SchulzReport, the Chiefs signed the former Dolphons corner. The length of the deal is unknown, but Kansas City has focused on multi-year deals thus far in free agency. If healthy, which appears to be the case, Kahou fills a massive need at slot corner for the Chiefs.

When the Los Angeles Rams traded four draft picks to Kansas City for Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs didn’t have a viable, experienced slot corner on the roster to fill the mighty shoes of their former All-Pro cornerback.

Kahou was an undrafted free agent signee in 2022, starting 38 games for the Dolphins and being regarded as one of the most versatile corners on their roster. He’s played outside, but he’s better suited for the slot where the Chiefs have the biggest need.

There is always concern with ACL injuries, but the fact that it was not a full tear convinced the Chiefs to sign him. Plus, it’s only March, and OTAs aren’t until next month, and Mini-Camps aren’t until May, so I’m sure he’ll be in the workout room in Kansas City next to Patrick Mahomes.

This signing does check off another box for the Chiefs heading into the NFL Draft. On the ChiefsBlitz Podcast, we discussed areas that need attention: cornerback, pass rusher, and wide receiver. Kahou takes care of cornerback, and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan could visit the Chiefs, which leaves wide receiver – though that slot might be taken with Tyreek Hill after the NFL draft.

Regardless, the Chiefs are trying to fill as many roster holes as they can before the NFL draft to create maximum leverage and competition on the 53-man roster.

Stay tuned to ChiefsBlitz.com for all the latest Chiefs free agency moves.

The post Chiefs Sign Slot Corner from Dolphins first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

The “Architect” has spoken! After a 2025 season that left the Kingdom hungry, Brett Veach has officially opened the “War Chest” to spark the greatest comeback in NFL history.

#KennethWalker #TravisKelce #PatrickMahomes #NFLFreeAgency #MaxxCrosby #ChiefsNews On Today’s Loaded Show: The Walker Splash: Reaction to the blockbuster 3-year, $43M deal for Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. We now have TWO Super Bowl MVPs in the same backfield!

Defensive Reinforcements: We break down the signings of S Alohi Gilman and the 335lb mountain DT Khyiris Tonga. How these “Warriors” stabilize the secondary and the trenches.

The King Stays King: Travis Kelce is officially back for Season 14! We react to his legendary comments on The Pat McAfee Show about still being in love with the game.

Thornton’s Speed: Why re-signing Tyquan Thornton and his 23.1 YPR is the ultimate “value play” for Patrick Mahomes’ deep ball.

The “Condor” Chaos: The Maxx Crosby trade to Baltimore is OFF. We ask the hypothetical: Should the Chiefs offer the #29 pick to bring the Condor to KC?

The 2026 Vision: With Mahomes progressing on his ACL rehab and this new veteran core, is the 2026 Comeback already guaranteed? The ink pen is dry, the pads are coming on, and the Kingdom is ready to reclaim the throne.

#ChiefsKingdom #KennethWalker #TravisKelce #ChiefsBlitz #NFLFreeAgency #MaxxCrosby #PatrickMahomes #BrettVeach #ChiefsNews #GoldenJacket

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The post THE COMEBACK IS REAL! Brett Veach’s $100M Spending Spree & The New-Look Chiefs Dynasty! first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

Kenneth Walker (Signed 3-Year/$45 Million)

He is a 5’9”, 211-pound running back who spent 4 seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks. This year, he played 17 games, having 221 carries for 1,027 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and rushing for 5 touchdowns. In his career, he played 59 games, carrying 821 times for 3,555 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 per carry, and rushing for 29 touchdowns. He had 133 receptions for 1,005 receiving yards, averaging 7.6 per catch, catching 2 touchdowns. 

He is an explosive running back, and he has the second-best tackle-miss rate in the NFL. He will help the Chiefs and take some of the pressure off Mahomes. One of his weaknesses is his inconsistency in his run game; he is 18th in the rushing success rate among players with at least 200 rushes, and his pass projection is average, so far the best pickup so far in Free Agency. I give it an A signing. We can finally have a run game, and Mahomes doesn’t have to put pressure or try to be Superman to create run plays 

Tyquan Thornton (Signed 2-Year/$11 Million)

He is a 6’2”, 185-pound receiver who had his best season with the Chiefs, where he had 19 receptions for 438 receiving yards, averaging 23.1 yards per catch, and had 3 receiving touchdowns. He has excellent ball-tracking skills; he is a vertical threat with the speed and poise to win the deep ball; he uses his speed to set everyone else up with quick slants and hitches; and he is a lot tougher than you think his frame is. 

He resigned for an amazing contract only if he got more snaps than last year. I don’t know what happened last year; his snaps died out once Rice and Worthy were back on the field. But I’m happy we bought him back. He’s gonna bring his speed and his work back to Kansas City. I give an A signing because he brings that go-getter and hard-body receiver that we need in Kansas City 

Travis Kelce (Signed 1-Year/$12 Million)

He is a 6’5”, 250-pound tight end who played for the Chiefs for the last 12 seasons in the NFL. Last season, he combined for 76 receptions for 851 receiving yards, averaging 11.2 yards per catch and 5 touchdowns receiving. He is one of the Goats in Kansas City. He brings a safety blanket for Mahomes whenever he takes off, and he always finds the open spots for him to throw it to him. 

The only issue is how much gas he has left in his tank, but I think if they put him on a snap count and ease him in games, and then in the playoffs let him go, he would be excellent, and he would be a good mentor for the young rookies to help them fight through adversity. Overall, I love this signing. It brings back another key piece and one of Mahomes’ favorite targets. Time to run it back one more time. I give it a B signing because he brings the safety blanket back for Mahomes, but the only thing is how much he has left in the tank 

Alohi Gilman (Signed 3-Year/$24.75 Million) 

He is a 5’10”, 201-pound safety who played 7 seasons in the NFL. He had 90 total tackles, 50 solo tackles, 40 assist tackles, and 1 forced fumble. He brings veteran leadership on the field and off the field. He is a versatile safety who can play deep, blitz, and disguise certain coverages. 

He would be a big help on the defense since we lost McDuffie, Watson, and safety Bryan Cook. He is known for his quick diagnoses of pass plays. He finished 6th leading tackler with the Ravens, but struggles sometimes at wrapping up. He will have a big year and could help our young secondary out with his mentorship. I will give this a B grade signing because he brings that leadership to mentor the young secondary, and he can play all around.

Khyiris Tonga (Signed 3-Year/$21 Million)

He is a 6’2”, 335-pound defensive tackle who spent 5 years in the NFL. He had 24 total tackles, 9 solo tackles, and 15 assist tackles. What he brings to Kansas City is depth that we need for defensive tackles, since Omarr Norman-Lott tore his ACL in October. He provides run-stuffing ability with Chris Jones; he created a lot of pressure in the backfield he even had Chris Jones excited to play alongside him.  

I know he doesn’t have sacks to prove it, but he will make a difference on our defensive line and in our run-stopping defense. I love the contract we gave him. I give it an A signing because he brings that run-stopping and pure strength that a defensive tackle needs next to Chris Jones.

Jaylen Watson (Signs With Rams)

He signed a 3-year, $ 51 million deal, which is good for him and what losing him would mean for us. What it means is we are losing our starting cornerback, and he is an effective defender. You can put him in man and zone, and he still will dominate in either. He only gave up 1 touchdown on him. 

He had 64 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, 22 assist tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions. But at the same time, I trust Veach will find a way to get us secondary help. Rams got a good one, but we will bounce back and find another corner. Best of luck to you, Watson.

Bryan Cook (Signs With Bengals)

He signed a 3-year, $40.25 million deal and spent 4 seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs. He had 85 total tackles, 50 solo tackles, and 35 assist tackles. He proved this year that he is one of the most reliable players on that field. 

He improved a lot on the field I just think it’s Hicks time to take over Cook spot on that field and Cook was ranked 5th best safety in the Pro Football Focus and only having 5.6% missed tackle rate but Gilman and Hicks will do a good job at taking over his position. Gonna miss him, but best of luck to you, Cook. 

Leo Chanel (Signs With Commanders) 

He signed a 3-year, $24.75 million deal. This one hurts so far. We have lost 6 defensive starters. He spent 4 years with the Kansas City Chiefs. This year, he had 58 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, 33 assist tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception. He is a strong blitzer. He was known for his strength and tenacity to limit the run game. 

He had his first interception against Lamar Jackson, but Veach has something in his sleeve I wanted to resign him to. This shows how good Veach is at drafting young, key defensive players on the field. Best of luck to you. Chanel will definitely be missed.

Isiah Pacheco (Signs with Lions)

He signed a 1-year, $1.8M deal to join one of the best offenses in the NFL. Statistically, Pacheco never regained the form of his rookie season. A 5-foot-10, 216-pound back, Pacheco ran for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns, including an additional 547 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 10 career playoff games.

At one point, the former seventh-round pick was viewed as a home run hitter, but injuries derailed his career, and once the Walker signing was official, it was clear Pacheco never had a chance in Kansas City. He had his moments, but his violent running style only masked his inability to be the patient running back the Chiefs’ offense needed.

The post Chiefs Gains and Loses in Free Agency  first appeared on Chiefs Blitz.

With the late-night addition of free safety Alohi Gilman, they find a cheaper replacement for Bryan Cook, who signed a three-year free agency contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The move was expected, and finding a valuable jack-of-all-trades was key to beginning the secondary rebuild.

As day two has arrived, Kansas City has several options, including making a big splash in the secondary. Reports have indicated overnight that the Green Bay Packers and Chiefs are both hoping to sign Seattle Seahawks Cornerback, Tariq Woolen.

In my view, he’s better than Jaylen Watson, who signed a three-year mega-deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Woolen, coming off his rookie deal, could expect a deal similar to Watson, but that price point might be too high for Kansas City. However, with his teammate, Running Back Kenneth Walker III, already signed by the Chiefs, perhaps he can help his new team lean on Woolen.

If the Chiefs pass on Woolen, they could make a significant offer for the Chicago Bears ‘ cornerback, Nahshon Wright. The 6’4″ corner had five picks last season, and with his size would be a huge addition to the Chiefs’ secondary. I’m very surprised he wasn’t signed on day one.

Kansas City has also been linked to Green Bay Packers Left Tackle Rasheed Walker. Though his price point would be massive, the Chiefs would like to put him at right tackle opposite 2025 first-round pick, Josh Simmons. That would give the Chiefs arguably one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

Though the team retained Wide Receiver Tyquan Thornton Monday evening, the Packers Romeo Dobbs and the 49ers Juan Jennings. With the jury still out on Rashee Rice and his availability in 2026, adding Dobbs or Jennings would be a nice addition to the offense.

Still, it’s believed that not only will the Chiefs draft a wide receiver with one of their three top 40 picks, but Tyreek Hill is expected to return to Kansas City at some point after the NFL draft.

If the Chiefs want to shock the NFL, they could throw the kitchen sink at Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson. Though he’s not a true fit for Steve Spagnuolo, you can’t deny he could easily reach double-digit sacks for a defense that is geared to get to opposing quarterbacks.

They could make a run at former Chargers and Bills pass rusher, Joey Bosa. He played well for Buffalo last season, but he is no longer the player he was with Los Angeles. His price point could be cheaper than Hendrickson’s. Kansas City needs to find a pass rusher at some point this week, even if it’s a depth piece.

Stay tuned to ChiefsBlitz.com for all the latest Chiefs free agent news!

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