Kansas City Chiefs Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Buccaneers To Sign Giovani Bernard

April 12th, 2021 at 3:07pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

There’s been a lot of talk this offseason about what the Buccaneers’ backfield will look like between Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette, but in the meantime they’ve added an outside option.

Tampa has agreed to a one-year deal with Giovani Bernard, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets. Bernard was released by the Bengals just last week, and Pelissero reports that Tom Brady and Bruce Arians both helped recruit him to Tampa Bay. Patriots running back James White apparently had interest in joining the Bucs as their third-down back before ultimately re-signing in New England, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets.

In the same tweet, Rapsheet notes that Bernard also had interest from the Chiefs, so he had his pick of last season’s Super Bowl teams. The Bucs have mostly prioritized locking up all of their own guys, and this is their first significant outside free agent signing of the spring.

He had been set to earn right around $4MM in Cincy in 2021, so it’ll be interesting to see if he beat that when we get the financial terms. A pass-catching specialist who ended up carrying the ball a lot this past year in the wake of Joe Mixon‘s injury, Bernard has 342 receptions for 2,867 yards since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2013.

The North Carolina product spent his first eight seasons with the Bengals. He’ll turn 30 in November, and he should see a lot of targets from Brady, who loves to check down to his ‘backs.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Britt Reid Charged With DWI

April 12th, 2021 at 1:41pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Britt Reid has been charged with DWI stemming from his February car crash, according to Dia Wall of KSHB Kansas City.

Reid is the son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and was their outside linebackers coach last season before his contract wasn’t renewed following the accident. A five-year old girl, Ariel Young, was tragically seriously injured in the crash, which occurred right before the Super Bowl. Wall writes that the charge for Reid is “a class D felony with a potential jail sentence of one to seven years.”

The Chiefs released a statement following news of the charge, saying “the Kansas City Chiefs organization remains steadfast in our concern for all who have been impacted by this tragic accident. Our prayers are focused on Ariel’s continued healing and recovery. The Chiefs are regularly in contact with the family’s designated representative during this challenging time.”

As of a family update on March 27th, Ariel was still in the hospital but was recovering. Blood tests on Reid revealed he had a .113 BAC, well above the legal limit, per a document tweeted by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

As Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets, Reid’s claim to police that he was coming back from work at the time of the crash could entangle the Chiefs in the ensuing legal proceedings. All of our thoughts here at PFR are with the most important thing, the full and continued recovery of Ariel.

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Chiefs Finished Second For JuJu Smith-Schuster; Ravens’ Scheme Became Factor

April 9th, 2021 at 4:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Ravens submitted JuJu Smith-Schuster a better offer than the Steelers did, but the former Pro Bowl wide receiver opted to stay in Pittsburgh. Baltimore was not his second choice, either.

Had Smith-Schuster not ultimately decided to stay with the Steelers, he would have joined the Chiefs. Andy Reid continued to text images of the Vince Lombardi trophy to the 24-year-old wideout, and Smith-Schuster confirmed Kansas City was his second choice.

“I think, just seeing K.C. and bro, Andy Reid was just calling me and he was sending me Lombardi Trophy pictures like constantly. We had a good talk, so it would’ve been K.C. after the Steelers,” Smith-Schuster said during an appearance on the Michael Irvin Podcast (via NFL.com).

Smith-Schuster would have replaced Sammy Watkins alongside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in the Chiefs’ historically loaded pass offense. Watkins ended up signing with the Ravens, who had issues convincing acclaimed receivers to sign this offseason. The Ravens also offered T.Y. Hilton more money than the Colts did, but the veteran wideout stayed in Indianapolis. Smith-Schuster indicated Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson-centered run scheme became an issue as he considered a possible intra-AFC North jump.

“[Playing for a rival], too, and I’m curious to see how they’re going to be this year having Sammy Watkins and how they’re going to use him and throwing the ball and stuff like that,” Smith-Schuster said of the Ravens. “Lamar’s a really, a heavy run offense with the backs that he has. I just point being facts. His No. 1 target was [Mark] Andrews, who’s a tight end.”

New Ravens receivers coach Tee Martin, who coached Smith-Schuster at USC, began Baltimore’s recruitment. Jackson and John Harbaugh contacted Smith-Schuster as well. The Ravens are believed to have offered Smith-Schuster a $9MM salary with $4MM in incentives. He re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year, $8MM deal.

“Tee Martin was a coach at USC who coached me, he ended up going to the Ravens and he reached out and that’s how that process started. Lamar reached out, the head coach called, Marlon Humphrey‘s hitting me up,” Smith-Schuster said. “It starts getting serious when the players start texting you and hit you up like, ‘Yo, what’s up, bro? What we doing? Come win.’ All respect to them, and it was cool. But I think with me it’s more so staying home, staying loyal. In my situation, we have a new OC, Ben’s coming back, my relationship with my receiver coach, Ike Hilliard, is amazing. You can’t beat that.”

Reprising his role in an increasingly pass-heavy Steelers offense, Smith-Schuster will have a chance to re-enter free agency in 2022. The Chiefs, who also finished second in the Trent Williams sweepstakes, are likely still on the hunt for a receiver to replace Watkins.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Chiefs Hire Britt Reid's Replacement

April 2nd, 2021 at 8:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs hired former defensive coordinator Ken Flajole to replace Britt Reid as outside linebackers coach, the team announced. Flajole’s most notable NFL role came when he served as Rams DC during Steve Spagnuolo‘s three-year stay (2009-11). The Rams went just 10-38 during that stretch. Flajole, 66, will come to Kansas City after spending the past five seasons as Philadelphia’s linebackers coach under Doug Pederson. Reid is no longer with the Chiefs and remains under NFL investigation. Following his February car accident that left a 5-year-old in critical condition, the Chiefs let Reid’s contract expire.

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Jarran Reed Refused Seahawks Restructure

April 2nd, 2021 at 7:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jarran Reed made a somewhat surprising relocation this offseason, leaving the Seahawks and joining the Chiefs. After he hit the market more than a week after free agency’s outset, the veteran defensive tackle will make less money in 2021.

The Seahawks wanted to keep Reed for the 2021 season, with Mike Garafolo reporting the team approached the D-tackle starter about a restructure (video link). While this was not a pay-cut request, Reed refused Seattle’s bid to restructure his contract — thus lowering his cap hit and adding void years to the deal — and made a push for an extension. But the Seahawks balked and released him, leading the five-year veteran to Kansas City.

Reed is set to make $5MM on his one-year Chiefs contract. Had he agreed to the Seahawks’ restructure offer, he was due to earn nearly $9MM next season. Reed’s agent recommended his client agree to the Seattle restructure, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports, but Garafolo adds that Reed knew he would end up making less with another team and declined to redo his Seahawks deal anyway.

When the Seahawks declined to extend Reed, the former second-round pick asked if they would commit to an extension down the road, per Henderson. The team did made no such pledge, which upset the four-year starter, according to 710 AM Seattle’s John Clayton. The Seahawks attempted to trade Reed but opted to release him soon after.

A Seahawks restructure would have reduced Reed’s base salary to $1MM, but he would have collected the rest of the money — from his 2020 deal (two years, $23MM) — via signing bonus, Henderson adds. Reed would still have been a free agent in 2022. His Chiefs pact also puts him on track to hit the market again next year.

The Seahawks spent late March reorganizing their defensive line. They re-signed Carlos Dunlap, Benson Mayowa and Poona Ford and added Kerry Hyder. After Reed’s exit, the Seahawks brought back Al Woods for a third stint. Reed will now team with Chris Jones and former teammate Frank Clark with the Chiefs. During Reed and Clark’s previous season together, 2018, Reed recorded a career-best 10.5 sacks. He registered 6.5 last season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Chiefs To Sign FB Michael Burton

April 1st, 2021 at 5:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Michael Burton is heading to the AFC. The veteran full back is signing with the Chiefs, reports Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal for the 29-year-old.

Despite playing for four different organizations, Burton has spent his entire career in the NFC. He entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick out Rutgers in 2015, and following a pair of seasons with the Lions to begin his career, he spent another two years with Chicago between 2017 and 2018. After spending the 2019 campaign with Washington, Burton joined the Saints last offseason, marking it his second stint with the organization (the fullback had spent the 2019 preseason with the team).

During his lone season in New Orleans, Burton appeared in 19 percent of his team’s offensive snaps, his highest percentage since 2017. While the veteran is generally known for his blocking prowess, he did manage to compile a career-high 46 (yep, that’s it) yards from scrimmage. He added another 15 yards in two postseason games.

The Chiefs have presumably been hunting for a fullback since Anthony Sherman, their starter for the previous eight years, announced his retirement. Burton will now have the responsibility of protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and starting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Chiefs To Sign OL Austin Blythe

March 30th, 2021 at 3:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs are bringing in more outside help for their offensive line. They will sign former Rams starting center Austin Blythe, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal.

Blythe will join Joe Thuney and Kyle Long as Chiefs interior O-line additions this offseason. Blythe started three seasons with the Rams, doing so at both center and guard. The Chiefs had used Austin Reiter as their primary center over the past two seasons, and although the team made an offer for Reiter to return, they appear to be moving on at the position.

A full-time guard starter on the Rams’ Super Bowl LIII-qualifying team, Blythe has started 47 regular-season games since the start of that 2018 season. The former seventh-round Colts pick established himself as a quality Rams starter and will be in line to work as the Chiefs’ starting center. The Rams moved Blythe to center last season, and Pro Football Focus graded him ninth at the position.

The Rams claimed Blythe off waivers in 2017 and turned to him as a replacement for the suspended Jamon Brown in 2018. Blythe kept his job after Brown’s reinstatement and played guard in 2019 as well. The Rams re-signed Blythe last year but will lose him. Despite Sean McVay wanting the team to retain Blythe this year, Andrew Whitworth and right tackle Rob Havenstein remain from Los Angeles’ Super Bowl O-line.

Blythe, 28, will check off a key box for the two-time reigning AFC champions, who can shift their O-line focus to the tackle positions.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Chiefs To Re-Sign WR Tajae Sharpe

March 29th, 2021 at 4:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tajae Sharpe did not have a role with the Vikings or Chiefs last season, but Kansas City kept the veteran wide receiver on its practice squad. The Chiefs will retain Sharpe for the 2021 season.

The former fifth-round pick agreed to a deal to stay with the Chiefs, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The sides agreed to a one-year contract, Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star tweets. This will be Sharpe’s sixth NFL season.

Kansas City’s receiver group will look different than it has over the past three seasons, with Sammy Watkins opting to leave for Baltimore late last week. Watkins had operated as the Chiefs’ No. 2 wideout (when healthy) since 2018. The Chiefs, however, did re-sign Demarcus Robinson for a second straight year and have Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle still on the roster as well.

The Vikings cut Sharpe in December; he did not catch a pass with Minnesota. Sharpe did not play in any Chiefs games and hit unrestricted free agency earlier this month.

Sharpe’s best season remains his 2016 rookie year with the Titans, when he caught 41 passes for 522 yards and two touchdowns. Sharpe, 26, surpassed 300 yards in 2018 and ’19, bouncing back somewhat from a season-nullifying injury in 2017.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Chiefs Re-Sign Daniel Sorensen

March 29th, 2021 at 9:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs have re-signed safety Daniel Sorensen, per a club announcement. The two sides were said to be closing in on a one-year deal last week. On Monday morning, they made it all official.

[RELATED: Chiefs Sign Reed]

Sorensen, one of the longest-tenured members of the team, was a key piece of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl runs. Since joining the team as an undrafted free agent back in 2014, the BYU product has appeared in 94 games with 32 starts. All in all, he has ten interceptions, 25 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, and 3.5 sacks to his credit.

Sorensen spent four years as a reserve before cracking the starting lineup in 2017. This past year, he saw time in 15 games with eleven starts, racking up 91 tackles, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions (including one pick six). And, for the second straight year, the 31-year-old played on 100% of the snaps in the Super Bowl.

In other Chiefs news, Andy Reid & Co. inked ex-Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed over the weekend.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Chiefs To Sign Jarran Reed

March 28th, 2021 at 7:26pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Chiefs continue to bolster their trenches. They’ve made significant changes to their offensive line this offseason, and now they’re adding to the defensive line by signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed.

Kansas City is expected to add Reed, a source first told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The signing was soon confirmed by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who reported that it’s a one-year deal (Twitter link). The short-term pact is worth up to $7MM for the 2021 season with $5MM being guaranteed, Rapoport noted in a follow-up tweet.

As many were quick to point out, this will reunite Reed with former Seahawks teammate Frank Clark, who Reed had a career year next to in 2018. Reed was cut by Seattle on Friday, and it didn’t take him very long to find a new team. Reed had signed a two-year, $23MM extension with the Seahawks around this time last year, but made it just one season into that pact.

The 28-year-old was drafted in the second round by Seattle back in 2016. The Alabama product started all 16 games last season, finishing with 38 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. In that aforementioned career year in 2018, he had a whopping 10.5 sacks as an interior lineman.

With Reed, Clark, and Chris Jones, the Chiefs will now have a very talented defensive front. They already had all the skill position talent you could ask for, and GM Brett Veach has been very aggressive at adding the big boys up front this offseason.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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