ESPN REPORT: The Kansas City Chiefs are now banned for the 2024 Free Agency trackers Due to…
NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year officially began Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings can now be made official. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Kansas City Chiefs and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Chris Jones, DT
The Chiefs and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones have reached an agreement on a five-year deal that includes $95 million guaranteed, his agents told ESPN.
What it means: The Chiefs won’t have to chase a third straight Super Bowl without Jones, an important player who has helped the Chiefs win three titles in the past five years. Jones has 67 sacks in the past six seasons, but his value to the Chiefs goes beyond stats. The Chiefs can move on to the rest of their offseason priorities knowing their biggest goal has been accomplished.
What’s the risk: Jones played well after receiving his last lucrative contract in 2020, so the Chiefs have little to worry about when it comes to his motivation. A bigger concern is that he turns 30 in July. How many good seasons does he have left, and what kind of bill do the Chiefs get stuck with if Jones doesn’t continue to play at an All-Pro level?
Wide receiver Marquise Brown had his best season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. He caught 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo
Marquise Brown, WR
Former Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $11 million with the Chiefs, sources told ESPN.
What it means: The Chiefs have the veteran wide receiver they desperately needed. Brown is fast and appears to be a good fit for what the Chiefs want to do offensively. Brown could be the consistent deep threat they haven’t had since trading Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs still need at least one more receiver to fill out their group for 2024 but can handle that in the draft if they so choose.
What’s the risk: Because of injuries, Brown hasn’t played a full season since 2021. He had the lowest totals of his career last season in yards per target (5.7) and catch percentage (50.5). That could have had more to do with larger problems with the Cardinals than Brown but those stats bear watching.
Drue Tranquill, LB
The Chiefs reached an agreement with linebacker Drue Tranquill on a three-year, $19 million deal that includes $13 million fully guaranteed, sources told ESPN.
What it means: The Chiefs were able to retain a versatile linebacker who became an important member of one of the NFL’s top defenses in his one season with the Chiefs. The Chiefs are likely to lose one of their other top linebackers, Willie Gay, as a free agent, so re-signing Tranquill makes a lot of sense. Tranquill led the Chiefs’ linebackers in sacks with 4.5 and tackles with 79.
What’s the risk: There shouldn’t be much with Tranquill. The Chiefs played against him twice each season in his four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and know him well from his one season in Kansas City. He picked up the Chiefs’ defensive system immediately and started eight games. Many of his starts were as an injury replacement, but look for him to get even more work in 2024 and beyond.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill had 79 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 16 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. Charlie Riedel/AP Photo
Tershawn Wharton, DT
The Chiefs are re-signing defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN.
What it means: The Chiefs retain a member of their defensive line rotation. Wharton was in the lineup for 37% of the defensive snaps last season. He was third among the linemen in the regular playing rotation in run stop win rate at 26% and also finished with two sacks. Look for him to have a similar role in 2024.
What’s the risk: Not much. Wharton has played four seasons since joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, so they know what they’re getting. Chris Jones, George Karlaftis and others are the stars on the defensiv
