A week into free agency, and the Chiefs wasted no time making moves.
The NFL free agency kicked off this week and across the league moves have already been made to shape what the league will look like in 2021. The Chiefs made a few moves that should help bolster the roster, as well as bringing back some players from the 2020 roster who could make an impact on the season.
Chiefs Sign Joe Thuney
Within hours of the start of the legal tampering period, the Chiefs revealed a big move to bring in Thuney on a five-year contract worth up to $80 million dollars. Thuney has been a top-five guard in the NFL over the past three NFL seasons and played in a lot of big-time games during his time with the New England Patriots. He has the skill and will provide a huge boost to the Chiefs interior offensive line that struggled in 2020.
Chiefs Sign Kyle Long
The Chiefs also signed Kyle Long out of retirement to come help improve the Chiefs’ offensive line. Long spent a year away from the game 2020, but he returns healthy and hungry to help the Chiefs compete for a Super Bowl. A one-year, $5 million dollar contract is a bargain for the Chiefs and could be one that could be a steal for the Chiefs.
Chiefs Sign Blake Bell
The Belldozer is back in Kansas City with a new one-year deal, that will likely see him in the same role he played as a member of the 2020 Super Bowl team. The Chiefs struggled to find consistency at the backup tight end role this past season, and Bell should provide some consistency as a blocker in the run game. It should help the Chiefs in their 12 personnel sets and help provide a solid blocking tight end to the roster.
Chiefs Resign Taco Charlton
Taco Charlton was off to a good start in the 2020 NFL season before a season-ending ankle injury. Charlton still has loads of potential to be a third-down pass rusher for the Chiefs, and I think another year with DL coach Brenden Daly should help him improve his game.
Chiefs Resign Darrel Williams
For the first time in his career, Williams was healthy, and the Chiefs are rewarding him by bringing him back on a one-year deal. Williams is a solid pass protector but stepped up big in the playoff game against Cleveland in the absence of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and even more so when Patrick Mahomes left the game with a concussion. Williams will add depth and reliability.
Chiefs Resign Ben Niemann
One of the more surprising moves of the offseason, but it looks like Ben Niemann will be back for a third season with the Chiefs. Niemann is a four-phase special teams player and should make a positive impact in that area for the team in 2020.
Chiefs Tender Charvarious Ward
The Chiefs placed a second-round tender on Ward on Thursday, meaning a team can sign him if they are willing to give the Chiefs a second-round draft pick. Ward had ups and downs in 2020, but his overall play in Kansas City has been good so it is positive to see that the Chiefs want him back to be a starter at corner in 2020.
Chiefs Release Damien Williams
One of the more surprising moves of the offseason so far was the Chiefs releasing Williams who was a playoff hero in 2019 and 2020. Williams will always be remembered for the big plays he had in the past two postseasons, but is now a cap casualty as the Chiefs look to loosen up as much cap as possible. Good play from CEH and Darrel Williams likely made this an easy decision for Veach and company.
