KC Chiefs FA Profile: Figuring out Jarran Reed’s next chapter

During the 2021 offseason, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach brought in a big boost. Specifically, a 6’3″, 313 lbs. boost named Jarran Reed.

An East Mississippi Community College alumnus, Reed spent his first five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He started 72 games for Seattle, recorded 22 sacks, and had 194 combined tackles. He flashed game-changing potential in 2018 when he tallied 10.5 sacks and 50 combined tackles. Reed was held to 10 games in 2019, but the Seahawks re-signed him to a two-year, $23.5 million deal. The former second-round selection looked to be a big part of Seattle’s retooled defense going forward.

Yet just as quick as the ink dried, Reed was released from the team. Reed’s performance did not drop off far, since he started all 16 games and recorded 6.5 sacks. His sack total was second on the team, only behind safety Jamal Adams. Instead, the cap-strapped Seahawks could not afford to keep Reed and his $14 million dollar cap hit around for 2021.

Enter Veach. Five days after his release, Reed joined the Chiefs on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million. The prospect of Reed and defensive tackle Chris Jones bullying interior offensive lines was a fan’s dream come true. Plus, Reed was reunited with his former Seattle teammate defensive end Frank Clark. Overall, the fit made a lot of sense.

In the offseason, anything is possible. Reed had his ups and downs in Kansas City, but will he stay for another season?