The KC Chiefs could use some help at the linebacker position and Avery Williamson would be the perfect addition.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been searching for a sideline-to-sideline linebacker since they parted ways with Derrick Johnson after the 2017 season. Brett Veach tried to improve the position by signing Anthony Hitchens and he’s only just recently started to play decently.
Hitchens, Damien Wilson, and Ben Niemann have been the main three linebackers getting playing time through the first seven games, but second round pick Willie Gay has been receiving more playing time recently. Even still, the linebacker corps could use some help and Avery Williamson of the New York Jets might be the best option there is on the trade block.
The Chiefs will get a long hard look at Williamson this weekend when the Jets come to Arrowhead (assuming he hasn’t been traded by then). While we obviously don’t want him to have a good game, seeing what he can do against an offense as talented as the Chiefs would be a good indicator as to what he could provide this team in their quest to run it back.
Avery Williamson would be the boost this team needs at linebacker.
While Hitchens and Wilson have been looking better this season, Niemann isn’t a viable starting option and we still haven’t seen enough from Gay yet. Williamson is coming off a 2019 season in which he had 120 tackles and three sacks and so far this year has 50 tackles and an interception.
Williamson is a free agent at the end of this season, so the Chiefs wouldn’t have to worry about taking on a huge contract. They could bring him in, see how he does with a Super Bowl contender, and if it’s feasible to re-sign him next year, they can cross that bridge when they get to it.
Stopping the run hasn’t been something the Chiefs have excelled at in recent years and they’re actually third to last in the league in rushing yards per game. Adding a linebacker who can help with that should be a priority for this team, as it’s one of their biggest weaknesses.
There hasn’t been a ton of buzz on Williamson when it comes to the trade market, but the Steelers make the most sense considering they lost Devin Bush for the rest of the season. It’s a nice thought picturing Avery Williamson joining the Kansas City Chiefs defense, but I don’t see it happening unfortunately.