Kansas City Chiefs sign Alex Okafor to 3-year contract
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs have added a defensive lineman in free agent Alex Okafor, who signed a three-year deal on Thursday.
The Kansas City Chiefs have added a defensive lineman in free agency with the news that Alex Okafor, formerly of the New Orleans Saints, has joined the team with a new three-year contract.
Okafor’s deal averages $6 million per year for a total of $18M for the duration of the deal, although reported incentives, per Terez Paylor, bring the total to $24 million over time.
Okafor entered the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals but he spent the last two seasons with the Saints, starting 26 games in the process and putting up 8.5 sacks in that time.
Okafor, who just turned 28-years-old, was ranked by Pro Football Focus as an above average defender last year. As a 6’4, 260 lb. defensive end, Okafor gives the Chiefs another option to compete with Breeland Speaks as an end. The veteran will give the Chiefs an extra pass rusher and some security in case one of the young guys aren’t ready yet.
Steve Spagnuolo is the new defensive coordinator in K.C. and has a history of doing well when given several rotational players to work with to keep the front line fresh, Okafor will work with Speaks and Kpassagnon on the outside along with Justin Hamilton, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi and Xavier Williams inside. Together, the Chiefs have a nice front line before the draft even begins.
Okafor first entered the NFL with the Cardinals as their fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.