Kansas City Chiefs sign former Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs have their sights set on signing a new linebacker to bolster the unit in the form of former Cowboys LB Anthony Hitchens.
One day after letting yet another veteran linebacker go in free agency in longtime veteran Tamba Hali, the Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly set to bolster the unit with some younger reinforcement. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens is rumored to have found a new home with the Chiefs in free agency.
The Chiefs have been remaking their defense at each level, and adding Hitchens will complete the renovation at the heart of the defense. Derrick Johnson will be leaving the team via free agency, and the team already traded for Reggie Ragland last summer in one of general manager Brett Veach’s earliest moves. Now he is pairing Hitchens to Ragland for a new interior tandem.
Hitchens is a former fourth round selection for the Cowboys in the 2014 NFL Draft who became an important starter in the middle for Dallas. He started 12 games last season and a full season before that, providing an important player on a defense for a team dealing with constant injuries to Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith.
Hitchens’ signing is going to be an important one as he teams with Ragland to reform the heart of the Chiefs defense and places a new emphasis at linebacker. The Chiefs have often let the middle of the defense feature a rotating cast of hopefuls next to Derrick Johnson for years, but now Bob Sutton will have two formidable and reliable linebackers to work with instead of one Pro Bowler and a cast of Ramik Wilsons and Josh Maugas.
Next: Remembering Tamba, an all-time Chief
In 12 games last year, Hitchens had 84 total tackles, 2 passes defended and 1 forced fumble.