Several veteran linebackers remain available for Kansas City Chiefs

There’s something to be said for a known quantity. The upside of players like Hodges and Compton would certainly be a nice draw for Dorsey to consider. The veteran leadership and experience of Maualuga is enticing as well. But there remains a veteran player who knows the Chiefs defensive schemes already by heart, a player who knows the locker room and training staff and could jump back onto the roster and do what the team needs him to do.

Josh Mauga remains available as a free agent linebacker for the Chiefs or anyone else to sign after failing to play all of last season given a torn labrum in late August. Mauga would likely offer the Chiefs the lowest ceiling of any of the free agent bunch mentioned so far, but there would also be zero onboarding when it comes to Mauga’s potential addition. If Dorsey could get Mauga on a veteran minimum and he felt comfortable that Mauga could do exactly what he’s looking for out of a veteran linebacker, it could prove to be the best move of all—even if it’s the least sexy for fans.

Mauga will turn 30-years-old this summer and given that he’s already lost a full season due to injury, he’s not likely to command anything more than a one-year prove it deal. But the Chiefs used Mauga for 30 starts in the previous two seasons for a reason, and it might be reason enough to try it for one more year.