Derrick Johnson visits Oakland Raiders in free agency
By Matt Conner
The Oakland Raiders are checking out former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson in a move that would sting as division rivals.
Derrick Johnson told the Kansas City Chiefs that he felt like he could play for several more seasons. The Chiefs then gave him permission to explore such possibilities elsewhere. So this was always a possibility.
The longtime Chiefs linebacker and future team Hall of Famer is taking his first known free agent visit with the Oakland Raiders. It’s a bit of news that shocks with the sting of a division rival.
Former Chiefs’ standout LB Derrick Johnson is visiting today with...the Raiders, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2018
If the Chiefs can draft Reggie McKenzie’s son, the Raiders can sign one of KC’s favorites.
Schefter is referring to the recent pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft of Kahlil McKenzie, the very son of the Raiders own general manager Reggie McKenzie.
Yet the idea of the Raiders spending time and money to bring in Derrick Johnson for a visit doesn’t sound like simple retaliation. The reality is that Johnson has been a strong performer—make that Pro Bowl performer—for some time for the Chiefs.
Last year, he was also in his first season back from another Achilles tear. He did look a half-step slower than years prior, but if he’s healthy, his experience and talent is still an asset for most NFL teams, even as the Chiefs said they wanted to get younger at the position.
As for the Raiders, they have a hole at linebacker the size of NaVorro Bowman, who remains a free agent after signing with the team last year. The Raiders were also expected to take a first-round linebacker in most mock drafts, but instead they went heavy on the offensive line. Thus a player like DJ could still jump right in and face his former team in 2018.
Fans of the Chiefs felt this same sting last year when Jamaal Charles signed with the Denver Broncos, but there’s just no way around it. Teams like the Raiders and Broncos have seen these tremendous talents up close and are curious to know if there’s anything left in the tank. As the Chiefs have set them free, they’re just looking for an honest place to continue their career—even if it’s with a longtime rival.