Chiefs rumors: Defensive tackle is focus in free agency

The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly very focused on adding some much needed help along the defensive line in free agency.

There are myriad issues for the Kansas City Chiefs at every single level of the team’s defense, but CBS Sports analyst Jason La Canfora is hearing that the team is particularly keyed in to adding some help up front.

Word is that the Chiefs are one of the teams most serious about adding some beef along the defensive interior, a move that makes sense given the state of the Chiefs current defensive line. It also makes sense to strengthen the team’s front seven given how having a strong unit clearly helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the most recent Super Bowl.

Rumors circulated at the NFL Combine that the Chiefs were among the teams most interested in Star Lotulelei, so that part of La Canfora’s rumor sounds familiar. It also makes sense to mention the Chiefs in conjunction with the others. Sheldon Richardson played for current Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton with the New York Jets and Dontari Poe has played the bulk of his career at Arrowhead Stadium.

That said, it would be a rare reunion for a player like Poe to leave for a single season only to return for another stretch of time. The Chiefs clearly were ready to move on from Poe when they let him leave for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency last season. Would he be so quick to join up again? Is there enough money to cover over any ill feelings?

All three of the players mentioned will earn multi-year contracts with significant funds attached, so it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs free up the space enough to pony up like other teams. If not, the Chiefs might have to wait for the market to reveal the next tier of available players to get the help they’re looking for.