The start of free agency has been busy for the Kansas City Chiefs, who've added a handful of names just over a month after losing Super Bowl 59. The majority of the Chiefs' early signings have addressed the offensive side of the ball, though, leaving fans to wonder when even more defensive help will arrive.
Fortunately, any concerned fans hoping to see some defenders added had their wish granted on Friday.
Chiefs Sign Former Chargers DT Jerry Tillery
NFL insider Jordan Schultz is reporting that the Chiefs are signing veteran defensive tackle Jerry Tillery to a one-year contract. The former Notre Dame product spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, tallying 13 solo tackles, two defended passes, and a forced fumble in 17 games (11 starts).
Sources: The #Chiefs are signing former #Chargers 1st-round DT Jerry Tillery to a 1-year deal.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2025
Good depth add to the Kansas City D-Line, as Tillery has recorded 12.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 50 career starts. pic.twitter.com/9aysyt3zdK
Although Tillery most recently played for the Vikings, Chiefs fans will remember him from his starting his career in the AFC West. The Shreveport, LA native played parts of four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, who drafted him 28th overall in 2019, before being claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders partway through the 2022 season.
Having said that, it isn't a secret that Tillery's career hasn't panned out as many people had hoped. The former first-rounder has struggled to hold onto starting jobs and has come off the bench nearly as many times (46) as he's started (50), leaving time to tell if he can finally live up to his potential with the Chiefs.
Some people might say that will be easier said than done, especially as Tillery just played to uninspiring run stoppage (52.1), pass rushing (54.0), and overall defense (50.2) grades on Pro Football Focus. At the same time, the Vikings may have been a bad fit for his talents, considering that it was in 2023 when he recorded grades of 63.1, 67.5, and 67.7, respectively, with the Raiders.
Fortunately, the Chiefs' loaded defensive line means Tillery won't be dealing with as much pressure as he did with the Vikings. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound defender can focus on being a reliable supporting cast member while stepping up whenever head coach Andy Reid calls his name.
Defensive depth is important to deep playoff runs, and it would be great if Tillery can successfully fill that role in Kansas City. As it stands, the Chiefs will continue into the rest of free agency tied for the second-best Super Bowl 60 odds (+700) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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