KC Chiefs were reportedly in on Calais Campbell

The Kansas City Chiefs were reportedly in on Calais Campbell before the vet re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens for another couple of seasons.

Despite a glaring need on the edges for a pass rusher or three for the 2022 season, the Kansas City Chiefs have done very little to address the concerns. One apparent step to add some help has passed them by with the news that defensive end Calais Campbell has decided to re-sign with the Baltimore Ravens instead of switch teams in free agency.

NFL reporter Josina Anderson has word that Campbell re-signed a two-year deal with the Ravens citing “unfinished business” as his reason for staying in Baltimore, but that comes after the news that several other AFC teams were also in on him—including the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City.

The Chiefs entered the offseason with public comments from general manager stating that rebuilding the defensive front was going to be a primary goal. While the team found a way to restructure Frank Clark’s deal to keep him on one side, the Chiefs haven’t added any other players while they watched the bulk of free agent options sign elsewhere.

As of today, Mike Danna would be the starting end opposite Clark along the defensive line while last year’s fourth-round pick, Joshua Kaindoh, would be a primary rotational body despite showing nothing in an injury-plagued rookie year. If that sounds woefully thin, it is.

The Chiefs watched Melvin Ingram hit free agency again and the team has already expressed an interest in bringing him back, but Ingram waited until July of last offseason to sign and the Chiefs can’t afford to wait until mid-summer if Ingram is going to be a starter outside. Ingram would be a nice addition once again after showing up strong for the team down the stretch following a mid-season trade with the Steelers, but the Chiefs need a serious infusion of young talent.

As for Campbell, he’s clearly in the twilight of his career, but he made the Pro Bowl as recently as 2020 and started 14 games last year for the Ravens. He’s a strong two-way player who would have made for a nice veteran addition up front for the Chiefs. Instead, the Ravens reload for a rebound season while K.C. is forced to look elsewhere.