Josh Mauga’s signing answers linebacker questions for Chiefs
By Matt Conner
The return of Josh Mauga to the Kansas City Chiefs defense answers any lingering questions fans had about the team’s depth in the middle.
On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs signed two new players, the most prominent of which is linebacker Josh Mauga. The return of Mauga after the team allowed him to hit free agency this March is likely the best case scenario within a realistic situation.
Mauga has been with the Chiefs for the last three seasons, although he missed all of last year on injured reserve. The previous two seasons, Mauga had started all 30 games in which he’d appeared for the Chiefs in the team’s base defense, providing a veteran presence alongside Derrick Johnson as youngsters like Ramik Wilson and D.J. Alexander still had yet to emerge.
The signing of Mauga provides some insight into the Chiefs’ thinking leading into training camp and it also answers a key question in terms of the linebacking corps.
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First of all, it appears the Chiefs’ coaching staff and front office, even in flux, do not believe that Wilson or Justin March-Lillard are ready to take the leap just yet. The Chiefs already showed their cards in a way, earlier this offseason, with regard to this subject by bringing in veteran free agents like Gerald Hodges and Rey Maualuga. That said, the lack of an official signing and the fact that the only addition to the corps was a raw fifth round pick, Ukeme Eligwe, it seemed like the Chiefs might lean, especially on Wilson, to step up more than ever.
Beyond what it says about Wilson, Alexander and March-Lillard, the signing of Mauga gives the Chiefs some security at a position that likely had the most questions heading into the regular season. Assuming Mauga is completely recovered from injury and passes a physical, he gives the team a veteran starter who knows Bob Sutton’s defense inside and out, even as a member of the New York Jets as far back as 2010. Derrick Johnson is returning from an Achilles injury and, while he’s on track for return by training camp, Mauga solidifies the depth chart.
If Mauga sticks on the active roster, the Chiefs enter the season with the same depth and experience they’ve enjoyed in recent years. If Mauga is released before September, it means the younger players look ready after all. Either way, it means good things for the Chiefs defense.