KC Chiefs plan to extend qualifying tender to exclusive-rights free agent Deandre Baker
The Chiefs have three exclusive-rights free agents ahead of next Wednesday’s official beginning of free agency, and at least one of them appears to be in their plans for next season.
The Chiefs are planning to extend a qualifying tender offer to cornerback Deandre Baker, a source familiar with the situation told The Star on Thursday.
Baker appeared in eight regular-season games with one start for the Chiefs in 2021, totaling 16 tackles and a pass defensed in 211 defensive snaps. Baker also contributed on special teams (50 snaps).
The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Baker entered the league in 2019 as a first-round pick with the New York Giants. But the Giants cut ties with him the following year when he became the focus of a criminal investigation into an armed robbery in Florida.
All charges against Baker were later dropped. After he was cleared of the legal issues, the Chiefs signed Baker to their practice squad. Baker appeared in the 2020 season finale but suffered a gruesome injury — a broken left femur — and spent the offseason rehabilitating. He served mostly in a backup role last season.
The Chiefs would be extending a new offer to Baker to ensure they have depth at the cornerback position, especially with Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next week.
As an exclusive-rights free agent, Baker’s options are limited once the Chiefs officially extend the qualifying tender, which prevents a player from negotiating with other teams. This situation also applies to the Chiefs’ other exclusive-rights free agents: tight end Jody Fortson and running back Derrick Gore.
