Kansas City Chiefs add linebacker depth with Elijah Lee

On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs made a number of minor signings intended to round out the roster, provide competition at key spots, and provide quality special teams play. One such signing that will help in multiple ways is the signing of linebacker Elijah Lee to a one-year deal.

Lee profiles as a core special teams player with extensive experience in that area over the last five years in the NFL, and it makes sense to view him as a potential replacement for Dorian O’Daniel, a rarely used linebacker who was a core four player for special teams coordinator Dave Toub over the last four years. O’Daniel is now a free agent.

For Lee, the ability to join the Chiefs is the ultimate homecoming after playing high school and college ball in the region as well—at Blue Springs High School and Kansas State, respectively. He was drafted in 2017 by the Minnesota Vikings, earned his first official snaps with the San Francisco 49ers, and earned further opportunities with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns.

The Kansas City Chiefs added some depth at linebacker and special teams core units with the signing of Elijah Lee.

Even with the addition of Lee, the Chiefs are in need of linebacking help after releasing Anthony Hitchens and watching Ben Niemann hit the open market. It shouldn’t be too hard of a position to fill knowing that Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton are ready to lead the unit for the next few years, but the void is still there, so perhaps the Chiefs make another move in free agency or the draft.

Lee, who is only 26-years-old, has played in 66 games in his NFL career.