Former Chiefs Standout Reveals He 'Never Wanted to Leave Kansas City'

Former Chiefs star linebacker Donnie Edwards spent the first six, and final two, years of his career with Kansas City, playing 117 games with the team in the process. However, he recently told Ed Easton Jr. of Chiefs Wire that he never wanted to leave the organization in the first place.

Edwards was a two-time All-Pro in five years with the then-San Diego Chargers, though his most fond memories came with the Chiefs. Moving to an AFC West rival had to hurt but Edwards is fondly remembered in Kansas City either way.

With the Chiefs' defense emerging as one of the NFL's best, it's hard not to fondly remember the days that Edwards manned the middle of the field.

Former Chiefs LB Donnie Edwards Never Wanted to Leave Kansas City

"Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium, that’s my home," said Edwards. "They adopted me when I was 22, 23 years old. They took me in, right? So they’re the ones that’s my foundation, right? And I tell you, I never wanted to leave. I never wanted to leave Kansas City. I just signed a new contract. But as I told you, when you have a new coach come in, they have a different mentality."

Edwards' exit coincided with the team hiring Dick Vermeil as head coach, changing the franchise's ideology to focus on a scary offense instead of stout defense. He talked about the organization's decision to pour more resources into the offense, leaving Edwards expendable with a large contract.

"I never wanted to leave Kansas City. I want to make sure that it is known," Edwards continued. "I think everybody knew that because the city didn’t want me to leave; I didn’t want to leave, but it’s out of my control.”

As a Chief, Edwards had 761 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles, and three TDs. He's one of the best linebackers in franchise history and I'm glad he finished his career where it started.

Talking about the love he received from Chiefs Kingdom, Edwards said, "I’ll never forget going back to Arrowhead back in 2002. And I was a Charger, and I’ll never forget the honor that the fans of Kansas City gave me when I went back there because I know it doesn’t happen."

Chiefs fans always take care of their own and Edwards was no different.

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