Former Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson is back on the market after his release from the Oakland Raiders earlier this week. That has opened up the possibility of a reunion with the team with which he spent his first 13 seasons in the league.
But based on Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s comments, it doesn’t seem as if Kansas City has much interest in bringing the veteran back in the fold.
“[G.M.] Brett [Veach] does all that stuff,” coach Andy Reid said per Kirk Larrabee of 247Sports. “Right now, we probably talked about that. As much as I know, as I stand here, that is not the direction we are going.”
Johnson had a terrifc 13 years with the Chiefs. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro. He also became the franchise’s all-time leading tackler. However, he’s slowed down significantly over the past few years, in large part due to two torn Achilles injuries.
The Chiefs decided to part ways with Johnson this offseason as part of an overall movement to get younger on defense. They signed Anthony Hitchens to a big-money deal in free agency to take Johnson’s spot at inside linebacker alongside Reggie Ragland.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs’ revamped defense hasn’t exactly been able to make too many stops this season. They are currently on pace to give up the most yards in NFL history.
And while Johnson returning to Kansas City would be a nice story, the soon-to-be 36-year-old is unlikely to be of much help to the Chiefs defense at this stage in his career.
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