KC Chiefs bring back Patrick Mahomes’ backup: Follow the NFL free-agency news here
NFL free agency unofficially started Monday during the league’s open-negotiation window, often referred to as the “legal tampering period.”
While some teams, such as the Chargers and Jaguars, have embarked on all-out spending sprees, the Chiefs made a significant move of their own by agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with safety Justin Reid. Reid’s contract, worth up to $31.5 million, was set to become official with the beginning of the NFL’s new calendar year at 3 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are handling their internal business.
On Wednesday, according to the NFL Network, they agreed to a new one-year contract with Chad Henne, the backup quarterback for superstar Patrick Mahomes. Last week, they designated left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. as their non-exclusive franchise player. And in the past two days, along with bringing back Henne, they restructured defensive end Frank Clark’s contract to gain some salary cap relief, re-signed fullback Michael Burton to a one-year deal and tendered a qualifying offer to tight end Jody Fortson.
The Chiefs lost cornerback Charvarius Ward in free agency Monday. He agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers.
With multiple holes to address on their roster — they need to replace Ward and bolster the defensive line, for instance — it’s a busy time for the Chiefs ahead of the late-April NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
Here are the players from the Chiefs’ 2021 roster who are (or were) scheduled to become unrestricted free agents or exclusive-rights free agents:
- QB: Chad Henne (re-signed)
- RB: Darrel Williams, Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Gore (ERFA)
- WR: Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, Marcus Kemp
- TE: Blake Bell, Jody Fortson (tendered as ERFA)
- OL: Orlando Brown Jr. (franchised tagged), Mike Remmers, Andrew Wylie, Kyle Long, Austin Blythe
- DL: Melvin Ingram, Jarran Reed, Derrick Nnadi, Alex Okafor
- LB: Anthony Hitchens (released in late February), Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann
- CB: Mike Hughes, Deandre Baker (expected to be tendered as ERFA), Chris Lammons (ERFA)
- S: Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen, Armani Watts
LOSSES
- Cornerback Charvarius Ward to San Francisco.
- Center Austin Blythe to Seattle.
UPDATES
Follow along here for updates on signings and departures as they happen.
- (6:50 p.m.) The Chiefs did not extend a qualifying tender offer to cornerback Chris Lammons, who is currently dealing with off-field issues in Las Vegas. Lammons is free to sign with another team.
- (5:55 p.m.) The Chiefs agreed to terms with offensive lineman Andrew Wylie on a one-year deal worth with $2.5 million guaranteed, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Star. Wylie returns for a fifth season, providing experienced depth and position flexibility with his ability to play both guard and tackle. He closed out the 2021 season as the team’s starting right tackle after opening the season as a backup.
- (2:50 p.m.) Backup center Austin Blythe is signing with the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN reports. Blythe originally joined the Chiefs last offseason, but served in a reserve role behind Creed Humphrey, the Chiefs’ second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
- (11:44 a.m.) The Chiefs are bringing back quarterback Chad Henne on a one-year, $2 million deal, a source familiar with the situation confirmed with The Star. The NFL Network first reported the news. Henne, who played last season on a one-year deal, continues to provide a veteran presence behind Patrick Mahomes.
- (9:04 a.m.) The Chiefs are tendering running back Derrick Gore as an exclusive-rights free agent for 2022, a source told The Star. Gore came on in training camp last summer, started the season on the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster. He’s a powerful runner who flashed in limited playing time.
This story was originally published March 16, 2022 at 9:08 AM.
