Kamalei Correa experiment ends before it begins for KC Chiefs

The Kamalei Correa experiment lasted just short of one month with the K.C. Chiefs. Unfortunately for all parties involved, that month wasn’t even a part of the regular season.

Shortly after the 2021 NFL Draft, the Chiefs decided to bolster their pass rushing cadre with the signing of Correa as a disruptive linebacker who could float between a couple positions within the front seven and provide some key depth. As a veteran, he came with some intriguing upside and security in a unit that is largely depending on a lot of question marks. However, the Chiefs are clearly enjoying what they are seeing when it comes to the potential talent and have released Correa on Thursday, per Field Yates.

Correa now has plenty of time to find another time with whom he can join the roster for preseason and training camp. As a linebacker and pass rusher who just turned 27 years old, he should have plenty of juice left and shouldn’t lack for potential suitors even if he has to wait a bit for offers to appear. Correa has 13 quarterback hits and 8.5 sacks in his career in limited reps over the last five NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.

As for the Chiefs, this likely means very good things about the health of Taco Charlton coming into another season and/or the potential development of Tim Ward. Or perhaps it means the Chiefs like what they see in first-year players like Josh Kaindoh, who they selected in the fourth round out of Florida State and/or that Chris Jones is going to take considerable reps outside. Maybe it even means that the likes of Austin Edwards or Malik Herring or Demone Harris are going to pressure for more playing time than anyone thought.

Either way, the Correa experiment is over in K.C. before it even began. The Chiefs are hopefully finding answers amid the questions at the position, while Correa will look to find a place to play and further his professional career.