K.C. Chiefs news: Ben Niemann re-signed, Charvarius Ward gets tender

The K.C. Chiefs pulled off a couple minor roster moves on Wednesday on the eve of free agency. First, the Chiefs decided to bring back linebacker and special teams core player Ben Niemann for another year, per FanSided’s Matt Verderame. In addition, the Chiefs officially extended a second-round tender to cornerback Charvarius Ward.

With the signing of Niemann to a new deal, the Chiefs bolster their special teams play with a known commodity and proven performer while also strengthening depth at linebacker in an offseason where the team was looking at potentially losing both Niemann and Damien Wilson, leaving them pretty thin at a position that was already lacking. While Niemann’s return doesn’t raise the ceiling at a position that could use an upgrade, Niemann brings back an experienced floor, so to speak, who played in 15 games and made a career-high 5 starts last year for K.C.

As for Ward, the Chiefs have a nice young core of cornerbacks on the roster anchored by L’Jarius Sneed and DeAndre Baker, but Ward is an important part of that core and the Chiefs now have the right of first refusal by tendering him. In addition, the second-round tender offer means that any team who signs him away from the Chiefs owes Brett Veach and company a second-round pick. That’s likely to scare off most teams.

For both players, it’s a good day given that Niemann and Ward came into the league as undrafted free agents. Both have risen in the ranks enough to not only remain with the team but earn considerable playing time. This means that the paychecks for both entering another year are likely to be much bigger as they stand on the precipice of unrestricted free agency next year at this time.