Five KC Chiefs free agents-to-be who have earned new contracts in 2022
By Matt Conner
Derrick Nnadi
For a time, the defensive interior looked so overcrowded that the Chiefs could afford to let a guy or even two leave next offseason and still be okay. That might be the case either way, but Derrick Nnadi sure looks like a guy the team should bring back if the market allows.
Chris Jones will be back next season as the interior anchor of the line (despite his shift outside at times). Turk Wharton is also in tow as is former third-round pick Khalen Saunders. With Jarran Reed also in the fold in 2021, the idea that the Chiefs had to re-sign Nnadi this offseason felt like a false statement. He’s playing declining reps at a position that’s loaded. But that’s not the whole scene.
Still just 25 years of age, Nnadi has been a run-stopping force for years up front for the Chiefs, but he’s flashed better disruptive practices this season at times that make us curious about how he will continue to develop with more experience. He has 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits this season, which are not eye-popping stats at all, but remember that Nnadi plays far less than half of the team’s defensive snaps..
Other teams might be too hungry for help in the trenches to keep Nnadi’s price tag reasonable. If Nnadi can grab the big money, he should, since every player dreams of such a payday as a professional football player. It certainly works in his favor to be so young, so effective, and loaded with postseason experience.
Reed is likely one-and-done in K.C. and others are not as proven. If the Chiefs can somehow bring Nnadi back into the rotation, that’d be an offseason plus to be sure.