How Drue Tranquill’s ‘gamble’ turned into a three-year extension with the Chiefs
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach remembers having a conversation with coach Andy Reid a year ago: “I don’t know if we’re going to get him.”
The Chiefs were trying to persuade free-agent linebacker Drue Tranquill to join the team. But deep down, Veach knew there were reasons Tranquill might not say yes.
KC already had its starters returning. Nick Bolton was a mainstay at middle linebacker, while Willie Gay was set to enter his fourth season.
Veach said he spoke on the phone with Tranquill about how the Chiefs would utilize him as part of a rotation. Tranquill admits now it was a “gamble” — he wasn’t guaranteed playing time — but he eventually agreed to a one-year deal.
The full benefits of that decision were realized Wednesday, as Tranquill officially signed a new three-year extension with the Chiefs that will guarantee him $13 million.
“It’s crazy how fast,” Tranquill said Wednesday, “things can change in one year.”
Tranquill did more than become a Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs this past season. He found a community that loved football, as evidenced by the Chiefs shirts he saw when going out to dinner or the team flags he passed while driving home at night.
“It’s a football town,” Tranquill said of Kansas City.
More importantly, though, Tranquill said he felt valued by both linebackers coach Brendan Daly and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo ... even when he wasn’t getting full playing time last season.
Tranquill remembered one point late in the season when his snaps were reduced after Bolton returned from an injury. Spagnuolo called him into his office to speak one-on-one, reiterating how great of a player he was while explaining how he was constantly trying to think of new ways to get Tranquill on the field.
That moment, Tranquill said, was an important one.
“As human beings, we’re looking to feel valued. We’re looking to contribute to something bigger than ourselves,” Tranquill said. “I think they (Daly and Spagnuolo) do a tremendous job of leading men and putting us in a position to win football games.”
Tranquill, 28, also felt a new energy with the Chiefs last season after four years with the Los Angeles Chargers. He said he fell in love with the process each week, looking forward to practice routines while preparing for the next opponent.
He was also motivated by being surrounded by other good players. When choosing a college a few years ago, Tranquill said he chose Notre Dame over Purdue, in part because he knew he’d be challenged by other guys around him.
Now, the same thing was taking place with the Chiefs.
“There’s something to be said about being around people who are hungry to achieve something special,” Tranquill said, “and I think I got a taste of that last year.”
Tranquill says he’s plenty motivated to accomplish more.
He said he just had a conversation with Daly where he admitted he was more hungry to a win a Super Bowl now than he was six months ago. That mindset also seemed to be referenced in a tweet after he agreed to terms with the Chiefs last week, when he wrote two words to start: “Unfinished business.”
“I don’t feel any feelings internally of like, ‘Man, I made it,’” Tranquill said. “There’s a sense that I haven’t made it. ‘Man, we gotta go do this thing again. And to be able to do something that nobody’s done, which is win it three times in a row.’ There’s a hunger. I can sense it.”
Tranquill’s role will be more prominent this season. Gay agreed to a one-year deal with New Orleans on Tuesday, which means Tranquill should start at weakside linebacker.
He’ll do that in a town that he’s grown to love over the past year.
“I’ve only been one other place,” Tranquill said, “but I can’t think there’s a better place to play football in the NFL than Kansas City.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2024 at 2:32 PM.
