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Derrick Johnson (LB)

Chiefs Rumors: Charles, Berry, Johnson, Daniel, Branch

February 25th, 2016 at 4:28pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The torn ACL that ended star running back Jamaal Charles‘ season last October won’t bring about the conclusion of his Chiefs career, general manager John Dorsey said at the combine Thursday. The Chiefs will not release the five-time thousand-yard rusher, according to Dorsey, who added that Charles is progressing well in his recovery (link via Adam Teicher of ESPN.com).

In addition to Charles’ situation, Dorsey addressed the statuses of a few of the Chiefs’ pending free agents. Here’s the latest:

  • Dorsey says he’ll meet with safety Eric Berry‘s agent this weekend (Twitter link via Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star). As of earlier this week, not much progress had been made in the Chiefs’ quest to lock up Berry. If the two sides fail to reach a deal this month, the Chiefs are expected to place the franchise tag on the four-time Pro Bowler by the March 1 deadline.
  • Dorsey confirmed that he recently talked to the agent for linebacker Derrick Johnson, per BJ Kissel of the Chiefs’ website (Twitter link). Johnson, who has been with the Chiefs since they drafted him 15th overall in 2005, is coming off his sixth career 16-start season. He totaled 116 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and ranked eighth out of 97 qualifying linebackers at Pro Football Focus (subscription required). If the Chiefs strike a deal with Berry before the franchise tag deadline, Johnson could become a candidate for it, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes.
  • Backup quarterback Chase Daniel has sat behind starter Alex Smith for the last three years, and now Daniel could be in line for a No. 1 job elsewhere. If another team is willing to pay Daniel like a starter, the Chiefs won’t be able to keep him, according to Dorsey – who says he has spoken with Daniel’s agent. Dorsey added that he thinks the Chiefs’ No. 2 QB is already on their roster (Twitter links via Paylor). They currently have Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray under contract.
  • The Chiefs are interested in retaining safety Tyvon Branch, a source tells Paylor (Twitter link). Branch, whom the Chiefs signed to a one-year deal last winter, appeared in all 16 of their games last season and started one. The 29-year-old added 43 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble, and four passes defensed.

King’s Latest: Chiefs, Steelers, Packers, Lynch

January 18th, 2016 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of the weekend’s divisional playoff games, Peter King of TheMMQB.com takes a look at what’s next for the four teams eliminated from the postseason, and passes along several notable tidbits. Here are the highlights:

  • Odds are that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will promote quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy to replace Doug Pederson as Kansas City’s offensive coordinator, says King. Brad Childress has been viewed as a candidate for that job as well.
  • With Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali eligible for free agency, King expects the Chiefs to retain one of those two players, at most — the team is more likely to spend on its free agent defensive backs, Sean Smith and Eric Berry.
  • Michael Vick doesn’t appear to be in the Steelers‘ plans going forward, so the team should bring in a backup quarterback to challenge Landry Jones, King suggests. The MMQB scribe would also like to see Pittsburgh use a high draft choice on a tight end.
  • With Jordy Nelson back next year and the Packers developing some promising young receivers, James Jones may be a luxury that GM Ted Thompson decides he can’t afford. King writes that Green Bay also needs to invest in a pass rusher and perhaps draft Eddie Lacy‘s replacement.
  • “Even the most ardent Marshawn Lynch fan has to see it’s over for him,” according to King, who suggests that the Seahawks are likely to cut their longtime running back to create cap room for other core players.

West Notes: A. Davis, Rivers, Foles, Sendlein

August 12th, 2015 at 2:37pm CST by Luke Adams

When former 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis announced his decision to leave the team earlier this offseason, it wasn’t considered a permanent retirement. Davis has since expressed a desire to return to football in 2016 after a year away, but coach Jim Tomsula isn’t thinking about a reunion just yet, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes.

“First of all, I’m not thinking about the playing side with Anthony,” Tomsula said. “He’s taking care of Anthony. I’m excited about hearing that he’d like to come back with football. I think that speaks volumes of where he’s at and how he’s feeling. That’s a different time and a different place. It does make you feel good. Obviously, things are going in the right direction for him.”

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two West divisions:

  • If the Chargers don’t work out a new contract with Philip Rivers before the season begins, the team is “fully prepared” to use the franchise tag on him in 2016 and – if necessary – 2017, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. According to La Canfora, the two sides have made significant progress in extension negotiations, but there are still at least one or two issues holding up a potential agreement.
  • La Canfora also passes along several details on Nick Foles‘ extension with the Rams, reporting that the deal includes $13.8MM in fully guaranteed money. The contract could void in 2017 if Foles meets certain team and individual goals, and he could also make up to $4.5MM in incentives based on individual and team achievements (all Twitter links).
  • Center Lyle Sendlein‘s one-year deal with the Cardinals is worth $1.4MM with $500K fully guaranteed, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. With playing time incentives, the center could earn close to $2MM, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets.
  • Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link), Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said, “I’m not ready for retirement and I have a lot of football left in me.”

Zach Links contributed to this post.

West Notes: Bennett, Rams, Waynes

April 20th, 2015 at 9:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett is not expected to be in attendance for the Seahawks’ voluntary workouts, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. Bennett denies that he’s seeking a trade out of Seattle but sources have said he would like the team to redo his contract. Bennett is entering the second year of a four-year deal worth $28.5MM signed last spring. When asked if he’s happy with is deal, the veteran replied: “I can’t really say that, but I mean I don’t know anybody that is happy with the amount of money that they’re making. But at this point, I’m just trying to be a good Seahawk.” Here’s more from the AFC and NFC West..

  • The Rams will host Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes on Tuesday and South Carolina offensive guard A.J. Cann on Wednesday, according to Nick Wagoner of the Post-Dispatch (on Twitter). The Rams pick at No. 10 and they have the opportunity to jump the Vikings at No. 11, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes (via Twitter).
  • Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson says that he hopes to play for another 3-5 years, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). The Chiefs could create $5.2MM in cap savings by releasing Johnson, but team chairman Clark Hunt recently said that he expects that the veteran will stay put.
  • In addition to Justin Houston and Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif were also absent from Chiefs camp due to academics, Paylor tweets.
  • Mississippi State defensive end Preston Smith is in Denver today visiting the Broncos, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link). Smith visited the Vikings in Minnesota earlier in April.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Jennings, Smith, Texans

March 31st, 2015 at 10:27pm CST by Zachary Links

As the coach of the Bills, Rex Ryan finds himself interacting with the team’s decision-makers in ways that he rarely did with the Jets over the last couple of years, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News writes. There’s no hidden agendas or anything else,”€ Ryan said. “This is who we are, this is what we want, and there isn’€™t anybody in this organization that doesn’t want anything other than building a championship team.” Here’s more from the AFC..

  • Greg Jennings has been connected to the Raiders thanks to his relationship with GM Reggie McKenzie and the team’s need for a wide receiver, but there has been no word of any interest on that front, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com tweets. On Twitter earlier tonight, Jennings indicated that he’ll disclose his next team at midnight CT. The Panthers, Jaguars, and Dolphins have all been linked to the former Viking.
  • The Texans are now in discussions with versatile defensive lineman Antonio Smith, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle previously reported that Houston had interest in a reunion. Smith, 33, was released by the Raiders on Tuesday afternoon. Things could move quickly between Smith and Houston, Rapoport adds.
  • Smith wouldn’t be returning to the role he previously played for the Texans, which was being a starting defensive end, opposite J.J. Watt. A year later, however, he could be more amenable to that sub-package role in which Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel would like to use him, Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com writes. She adds that Smith has an affinity for Houston, which could help pave the way for him to return as a third-down pass-rusher.
  • While the Chiefs could create $5.2MM in cap savings by releasing linebacker Derrick Johnson, team chairman Clark Hunt doesn’t expect the veteran to go anywhere, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. “There will be a point in time where we address [his contract],” Hunt said. “But it just hasn’t been germane to this point.”

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Chiefs Announce Series Of Roster Moves

September 9th, 2014 at 3:07pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs officially finalized a series of roster moves today, according to a team release. Besides confirming the signing of defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson, and the additions of wideout Armon Binns and tight end Adam Schiltz to their practice squad, which had been previously reported, the Chiefs also announced the following moves:

Added to 53-man roster:

Removed from 53-man roster:

Signed to practice squad:

Removed from practice squad:

Poll: Which Injury Will Have The Most Impact?

September 7th, 2014 at 10:23pm CST by Rob DiRe

As the first Sunday of NFL football of the 2014 season comes to a close, coming away with a win was an important goal for every NFL team. A not-too-distant second was escaping healthy, as the Panthers confirmed by holding Cam Newton out of the opener. For as crucial as starting the season off with a victory is, the long-term health of the roster is as important for teams keying in on a playoff run.

However, the cliché is that the NFL is a war of attrition, and a few teams have already been bit by the injury bug before the first game was over. Bengals’ tight end Tyler Eifert suffered an elbow injury that knocked him our of the game and could be headed to the IR, albeit with designation for return.

The Chiefs lost two member of their starting defense today, with both linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive lineman Mike DeVito both rupturing their achilles in a 26-10 loss to the Titans. The team will likely be without each player for the remainder of the season. Injuries to pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston derailed the defense last season, and after only one week the defense has already taken a big hit.

Evan Mathis has been one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL since arriving in Philadelphia in 2011. A major driving force for the Eagles’ prolific ground attack, Mathis went down with a knee injury today against the Jaguars. The team rallied for a comeback victory, but losing their left guard for an extended period of time could make things difficult for the Eagles’ offense.

Possibly the biggest name to leave a game with an injury and unable to return is first-round pick Jadeveon Clowney. Much like Mathis, Clowney suffered a knee injury, and he will miss time early in the Texans’ season. The team is set up to absorb the injury, with players in place to wade the time. However, while he has not proven his worth at the NFL level, his explosiveness and big play ability will be missed. More importantly, when the Texans do need him later in the season he will be behind the learning curve, still acclimating himself to the speed of the league.

For each of these situations, it will depend on how long the players end up out of the lineup. Teams can weather the storm for a time, but an early season injury can be a huge setback for a team with playoff hopes. The Eagles and Bengals both won their divisions in 2013, but both the AFC North and NFC East were expected to be close, with contenders waiting to pounce. The Chiefs were a surprise wild card team in 2013, but primed for regression before the injuries. The Texans missed the playoffs last season, which set them up to take Clowney at the top of the draft. However they were prepared to make it a quick return to the playoffs with the AFC South up for grabs. Each team has seen their postseason hopes grow more difficult with these week one injuries.

Chiefs’ Johnson, DeVito Rupture Achilles

September 7th, 2014 at 4:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Week 1 couldn’t have gone much worse in Kansas City — the Chiefs not only suffered a 26-10 loss at the hands of the Titans, but will likely miss two key defenders for the rest of the season. Linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive lineman Mike DeVito both ruptured their Achilles tendons, announced head coach Andy Reid (via the team’s Twitter account).

Johnson, 30, leads an Chiefs inside linebacking unit that simply doesn’t have the depth to withstand his absence. Johnson played on 97% of Kansas City’ defensive snaps last season, racking up 95 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Advanced metrics rated him well, as he graded out as the third-best 3-4 inside linebacker among 55 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). With Joe Mays having been placed on short-term IR, the Chiefs will turn to Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson to hold the fort in the middle of the field.

DeVito’s loss is just as devastating, as the 30-year-old started 13 games last season, finishing with 18 tackles. Like Johnson, DeVito fared well according to PFF, grading as the seventh-best 3-4 defensive end on 446 snaps. The Chiefs have a little more depth along the line than at linebacker, but Vance Walker, Damion Square, and Jaye Howard can’t be expected to match the production of DeVito.

Already expected to regress in 2014, the Chiefs can’t afford to lose players of Johnson and DeVito’s caliber. Kansas City’s defense experienced life without its stars in 2013, as well — the Chiefs ranked 14th in weighted defensive DVOA, which more heavily factors in late-season performance, following injuries to Justin Houston and Tamba Hali (after ranking ninth for the year in total). After accounting for today’s news, and the fact that Brandon Flowers and Tyson Jackson departed over the offseason, 14th is probably the ceiling for the Chiefs’ defensive DVOA performance in 2014.