Several veteran linebackers remain available for Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Conner
It might seem obvious to start with players who’ve already visited Arrowhead, but both Maualuga and Gerald Hodges remain available as free agents (at least as of press time). Hogdes was the very first free agent visitor to K.C. this offseason, but like Maualuga, Dorsey allowed him to walk without a deal.
Hodges remains in play despite interest from other teams. He’s been on record saying he’d like to play once again for the Minnesota Vikings (his first team in the NFL). Hodges has also visited the Seattle Seahawks. Given that the San Francisco 49ers aren’t expected to bring Hodges back, he remains in play for someone—perhaps an aforementioned team or even the Green Bay Packers, the latest rumor—to sign.
Hodges offers the Chiefs, or any other team, an intriguing and emerging option at linebacker and perhaps his own price is a bit too high. The Chiefs are likely looking for a short-term, veteran minimum deal for a player to play a very specific role. Hodges broke out last year and flashed not only strong run support but decent hands in coverage as well.
If anything, Hodges might be hoping that a team might pay him like an emerging starter rather than a sub-package role player. For the Chiefs, that’s all he would be, however, unless Johnson really wasn’t able to return. Even then, there’s no way of knowing and the Chiefs can’t afford to pay Hodges a bit more “just in case.”
If Hodges price drops, however, or if the Chiefs decide they’re finally interested, at least it’s another option they’ve seen up close that remains available for them to sign.