Ronald Darby signs with Philadelphia Eagles over Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs visited with Ronald Darby earlier this week, but the free agent cornerback chose to return to Philadelphia on a one-year deal.
Free agent cornerback Ronald Darby flirted in free agency with the Kansas City Chiefs over an extended visit, but ultimately decided his best course of action was to return to the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year contract.
Darby, who is often referred to as the best cornerback available in a thin free agent market, is coming off a torn ACL. It’s possible that Darby spent time with the Chiefs but didn’t like their offer for a long-term deal given that he’s coming off of injury. The very notion that Darby settled on a one-year deal with the Eagles shows that he’s likely betting on himself to show he’s healthy and cash in next year with another long-term pay day.
Darby has started only 16 games in the last two years due to injury, so proving he can stay healthy for a full season would work wonders for his earning potential.
For now, the Chiefs turn back to the market and draft for hope to salvage a cornerback situation that is quite dire—likely the worst overall unit in the NFL. Kendall Fuller is on the roster as the only dependable corner, but Steven Nelson signed with Pittsburgh and the rest is unproven potential. Charvarius Ward looked good in a very short stint near season’s end. Tremon Smith showed stronger as a returner than cornerback.
Expect the Chiefs to kick the tires on other free agent possibilities as well as make moves in the upcoming draft to add 2-3 more cornerbacks before training camp begins.