Meet the KC Chiefs first signings to futures contracts for 2022

The Kansas City Chiefs are focused on the task at hand with the postseason creeping closer and the Pittsburgh Steelers ready for a visit. However, the front office is already starting to put together the first signings on the 2022 roster with a trio of new faces who have all reached agreement with the Chiefs on reserve/futures contracts.

Futures contracts are a way for a team to add players for the upcoming offseason, knowing that an offseason roster limit expands from an in-season total of 53 (with some allowances for an increase of a player or two on game days) to a full 90-man roster beginning at the start of a new league year through the training camp deadlines in August when rosters are pared down once again for the upcoming season.

Each year, a team is allowed to sign a player in the winter who is not affiliated with any team already and not have them count toward the roster limits until the next offseason. It’s a great way for younger players to sign on with a team for a longer look, and most players have had experience with one or multiple franchises in the NFL before the team they sign with on a futures deal.

In previous seasons, we’ve seen offensive lineman Andrew Wylie come to the team via a futures deal. In addition, offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, who is being held on the active roster each week as a healthy scratch, also joined the team last winter as a futures signing. However, as you might expect, most names are here and then forgotten. That’s the nature of being a long shot prospect.

Here’s an in-depth look at each of the first three players signed by the Chiefs as 2022 futures deals.