The Kansas City Chiefs began free agency, addressing two major needs. First, they signed left tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal. While Moore has only started 12 games in his career, he filled in nicely for the San Francisco 49ers when Trent Williams went down in 2024.
The Chiefs then added speed to their backfield by signing Elijah Mitchell. Although Mitchell has faced multiple injuries during his short NFL career, he has been productive when healthy. Overall, that's a good start to free agency, given Kansas City's cap space.
That said, there are still a couple lower tier free agents that also happen to be former Chiefs that the team can bring back at positions of need. Linebacker Wille Gay Jr. and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson happen to be those players. Both players have previously won the Super Bowl with Kansas City, so winning isn't new to them.
Chiefs Should Reunite With Two Former Players This Offseason
Both Gay and Robinson were drafted by the team. However, they were each part of different draft classes. Robinson was a fourth-round pick in 2016 and played in Kansas City for six seasons (2016-2021). During those six seasons, he recorded 145 catches on 215 targets for 1,679 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Most of Robinson's production came with Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback. In the one season he played with Alex Smith in Kansas City, Robinson recorded 21 receptions on 39 targets for 212 yards. As a result, Robinson and Mahomes have a strong connection, which is needed in the receiver room right now.
Furthermore, at 30 years old, Robinson is not expected to be looking for a lot of money. Currently, Spotrac projects Robinson to get a one-year deal worth $3 million. If Kansas City decided to give him $1-2 million more, it would still fit their budget.
Gay, on the other hand, was a second-round pick in 2020. In four seasons with Kansas City, Gay recorded 233 tackles, 17 TFLs, 19 pass deflections, five sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles. While Gay wouldn't be starting if he returned, having a proven player with experience in the system as an option to rotate in is a huge benefit.
Even if bringing both players back isn't in the cards, Kansas City should at least consider re-signing Robinson. No matter what happens, though, Chiefs Kingdom appreciates both player's previous contributions to the team.