Receiver Demarcus Robinson, now formerly of the KC Chiefs, signs with AFC West rival
.JPG "Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson catches a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)")
The Chiefs signed a wide receiver Tuesday morning, then saw one of their own — or one who used to be in their camp, anyway — leave for an AFC West opponent.
Demarcus Robinson signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, a source familiar with the situation told The Star.
Robinson entered the league in 2016 as a fourth-round pick with the Chiefs and played the last two seasons on consecutive one-year deals. During his career in Kansas City, Robinson appeared in 97 games with 42 starts, totaling 145 catches for 1,679 yards and 14 touchdowns in a complementary role.
His best season statistically came in 2020, when he produced 45 catches for 466 yards. And his best game in a Chiefs uniform came against the Raiders in September 2019, when he caught six passes for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Oakland, Calif.
The Chiefs also used Robinson on special teams, where he contributed as a returner and sometimes as a gunner. Robinson had a penchant for not turning up the field, though, and even drew criticism from special teams coordinator Dave Toub for it last summer.
With Robinson and Byron Pringle, who signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears last week, officially gone, the Chiefs’ wide receiver room will have a different look in 2022.
Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman return, but the Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster and Corey Coleman in free agency over the past week. Hill, Hardman and Smith-Schuster project as the top three.
ESPN first reported the news of Robinson’s signing.
