Chiefs free agency tracker: Darrel Williams agrees to deal, Damien Williams released
The Kansas City Star is posting live updates about the Kansas City Chiefs’ transactions during the 2021 NFL free agency period. Here are Tuesday’s developments:
CHIEFS RELEASE SUPER BOWL STANDOUT
Damien Williams is returning to football after opting out of the 2020 season.
But it won’t be with the Chiefs.
After signing running back Darrel Williams to a one-year deal on Tuesday morning, the Chiefs released Damien Williams later in the day, sources told The Star. Their running back depth chart, for the moment, includes Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson.
Damien Williams had 745 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in two seasons with the Chiefs, but he did his best work in the playoffs.
He had 10 total touchdowns in two postseasons with the Chiefs, including six in the team’s Super Bowl run two years ago. He scored twice in the Super Bowl, the go-ahead and game-sealing touchdowns.
His release will save the Chiefs $2.175 million against the salary cap.
The one-year pact with Darrel Williams is worth up to $2.13 million with $930,000 in guarantees. Darrel Williams, who was a restricted free agent, originally joined the Chiefs in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of LSU.
Over the past three seasons, the powerfully built 5-foot-11, 224-pound back rushed for 354 yards and four touchdowns on 93 carries, adding 36 receptions for 310 yards receiving and two touchdowns in a backup role.
Darrel Williams burst on the scene during the Chiefs’ recent postseason. With rookie Edwards-Helaire inactive, he drew the start in the AFC Divisional Round and produced 78 yards rushing on 13 carries, averaging 6 yards per attempt.
He finished the postseason appearing in all three games, including Super Bowl LV, and totaled 135 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.
TACO TUESDAY
The Chiefs are re-signing defensive end Taco Charlton to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to The Star.
Charlton, a former first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, originally joined the Chiefs during last year’s free-agency period on a one-year deal following a stint with the Miami Dolphins.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Charlton appeared in seven games as a rotational player with the Chiefs and made an impact before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 8. He finished the 2020 campaign appearing in seven games, totaling seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and four quarterback hits.
Charlton’s production was enough to provide intrigue on what he could do fully healthy in the Chiefs’ defensive scheme. His return further boosts the defensive end position, which currently has Alex Okafor and Tanoh Kpassagnon scheduled to become unrestricted free agents when the NFL’s new calendar year begins Wednesday.
Wylie receives tender
A day after adding to their offensive line by giving Joe Thuney a high-dollar contract, the Kansas City Chiefs took the first step toward bringing back one of their own.
The Chiefs will tender guard Andrew Wylie, a restricted free agent, a source told The Star, confirming an ESPN report.
Wylie played in a career-high 88% of the team’s snaps last season. He is primarily a guard, though he was forced into duty at right tackle in last year’s Super Bowl.
By tendering Wylie, the Chiefs will have the first right of refusal to match any offer he receives from another team during free agency.
On Monday, the Chiefs reached an agreement with former Patriots guard Joe Thuney on a five-year contract worth up to $80 million. The deal can become official Wednesday afternoon, when the new league year opens.
Chiefs pass on cornerback
The Chiefs will not tender cornerback Alex Brown, an exclusive rights free agent, a source told The Star.
Brown, 24, tore his ACL during a practice last August and missed the entire 2020 season.
He appeared in three regular season games in 2019 and all three playoff games during the Super Bowl run as a special teams player.
This story was originally published March 16, 2021 at 9:07 AM.
