Kansas City Chiefs News: Free agent signings and rumors

The Kansas City Chiefs have continued their busy off-season, signing a new defensive lineman and a running back. But they are rumored for more.

The Chiefs were able to lock up one of their largest positions of need when they signed NT Xavier Williams. Williams was an UDFA signed by the Arizona Cardinals after the 2015 NFL Draft. He had a original round restricted free agent tender on Williams, meaning they had right to match the Chiefs offer and if they didn’t they would receive equal compensation from his draft position. Since he was an UDFA, the Cardinals will receive no compensation.

Williams stat line is nothing to be excited about. In three years with Arizona he only played in 22 games, starting only two. He recorded a total of 22 tackles, half a sack and one forced fumble. These are the numbers of a top dollar free agent most Chief fans have been clambering for. But what fans need to understand is the Chiefs are signing him for what he could be, and paying him accordingly.

#Chiefs NT Xavier Williams contract appears to be for two years. His base salaries are:
2018: $705,000
2019: $2,007,000
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) March 23, 2018

The Chiefs signed Williams to a two year contract, worth just under $3 million in base salary. That’s just above veteran league minimum for a young player who is trending upward. The best case scenario they have bought low on a player with upside talent who can solidify the middle of the Chiefs defensive line. The worst case scenario he’s a below average player who is making less than our fullback to spell out starting NT, whoever that is.

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Along with that Williams, the Chiefs doubled down with another one when they signed running back Damien Williams. He is coming off four season in Miami where he was mainly used on special teams. This signing was a surprise to me and a lot of people as running back is not a position the Chiefs seemed to need much help with.

The Chiefs have a the leagues leading rushing returning, as well as solid backups in Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West under contract. But the Chiefs felt they needed Williams so they brought him in on one year $1.5 million deal. In his four years in the league he’s rushed 133 times for 477 yards for an average of 3.6 yards per attempt. He does have good hands hauling in 85 passes for 733 yards for an average of 8.6 yards per catch. We don’t know what his role will be yet, but he sure sounds like a West type player meaning maybe West time in KC is coming to an end.

Along with these signings have come rumors of others. From wide receiver Kevin White, tight end Ben Watson and even quarterback Johnny Manziel. None of these seem to be at positions of need nor would they appear to be much help to the 2018 Chiefs. But that doesn’t stop the rumor mill, I’m sure until the season starts the Chiefs will be connected to these players and many more because they do have holes left to fill.

Here is what is trending in Kansas City Chiefs news throughout FanSided.

Kansas City Chiefs have no use for Johnny Manziel [Leigh Oleszczak, KC Kingdom]

"Manziel coming to Kansas City would bring nothing but unwanted storylines."

Kendall Wright visits Minnesota Vikings after stop with Chiefs [Matt Conner, Arrowhead Addict]

"Wright recently spent another visit with the Kansas City Chiefs in the last week as Brett Veach, the team’s general manager, was apparently thinking of adding yet another free agent receiver to a very potent offense—at least on paper."

2018 is Andy Reid’s year to prove doubters wrong [KC Kingdom]

"It’s easy to make the claim that the Chiefs have blamed their recent playoff failures on the players. I am fine with that if that’s their view, but that means going forward every failure or success lies solely on the shoulders of Reid."

Check out what else is trending in Kansas City Chiefs news throughout the rest of the web.

Kareem Hunt: “I want to be known as a guy who can do it all” [Pete Sweeney, Arrowhead Pride]

Why the Chiefs went with Chad Henne at the backup QB position [Joel Thorman, Arrowhead Pride]

A rundown of what Chiefs coach Andy Reid said at the NFL annual meeting [Terez Paylor, KC Star]

With the coaches meeting over and free agency getting into a groove the off-season is in full swing. The draft is starting to ramp up with schools having their pro days and the draft less than a month away. The mock drafts and player profiles are going to start coming hot and heavy leading up to the draft at the end of April. Even the Chiefs themselves have sent out emails to season ticket holders about the draft party they will be having on the Friday of the draft.

So with the draft coming and free agency news continuing to trickle in make sure you keep it locked in to KC Kingdom for the latest Chiefs news. The season opener may be over six months away, but we all know the NFL season is never truly over so there will be plenty of news to catch up on each and every week. It’s an exciting time!

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