With Trent McDuffie traded and Jaylen Watson joining him in Los Angeles, the Kansas City Chiefs needed to find another inside cornerback who could start the secondary rebuild. Though he missed 2025 in Miami, Kader Kahou is a big addition to the Chiefs’ defense.
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.
