The Kansas City Chiefs opened free agency with a bang, but in all, they lost four valuable commodities to their secondary. We take a close look at those who left and what’s ahead for the Chiefs as they rebuild their secondary.
With the trade of Cornerback, Trent McDuffie, to the Los Angeles Rams becoming official on Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs continue to lose starters to free agency. In all three, more players found new homes and big paydays. Now the Chiefs have to rebuild their secondary.
Shortly after the Chiefs signed Seattle Seahawks Running Back Kenneth Walker III, the Los Angeles Rams signed cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 Million contract that includes $35 million in guarantees. That’s a hefty pay increase for the Chiefs’ former 2022 seventh-round pick.
Later in the day, Safety Bryan Cook signed a three-year, $40.5 Million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Cook might have signed for more, but in accepting the Bengals’ take-it-or-leave-it offer, he gets $14 Million guaranteed. The market was not strong for Cook, but the Chiefs didn’t make an offer to retain him.
On Monday night, cornerback Joshua Williams agreed to a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, who were busy on the opening day fo free agency. Remember, Tennessee traded for L’Jarius Sneed a couple of years ago, so it’s possible Sneed could return to Kansas City if he’s released before Wednesday.
Still, the losses in the secondary continue a trend of not retaining drafted cornerbacks or safeties. Brett Veach has done a terrific job finding secondary contributors since his tenure began as the Chiefs’ general manager. In April, he’ll need to do it again.
The loss of McDuffie was predictable considering his high contract demands, but the Rams overpaid for Watson, and Chiefs Blitz has learned KC’s offer was substantially less than what Los Angeles was willing to pay.
Now, Kansas City has to find a free agent cornerback to go along with Nohl Williams and Kristen Fulton, who are now starters for the Chiefs’ defense. Beyond those two, the Chiefs don’t have much to work with, so expect they’ll also add corners in the upcoming NFL Draft.
One name to keep an eye on for the Chiefs is former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers cornerback Trevon Diggs. He was booted out of Dallas and signed with Green Bay, but he was anything but productive. His agent is offering a reduced price and seeking a one-year prove-it deal to resurrect his once-promising career.
