Anthony Hitchens lacks an obvious path back to KC Chiefs

Former Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens lacks an obvious path back to Kansas City after the 2020 NFL Draft.

When the Kansas City Chiefs‘ season was ended by the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game last winter, the team’s first move in the wake of a shocking loss was the release of veteran linebacker Anthony Hitchens. It was a long-telegraphed move designed to free up space in the middle for younger players with higher ceilings and to also clear a hefty salary from the books.

It wasn’t long after that, however, that Chiefs general manager Brett Veach first noted that the team wasn’t necessarily done with Hitchens. In fact, Veach said at a press conference in March that “strange things happen” and then said he could end up with the Chiefs once again in ’22.

For a while, it looked as if the Chiefs might maintain an opening at linebacker that could allow Hitchens to return. The team was up against the cap and made very few moves in free agency after signing safety Justin Reid to start the new league year. Nick Bolton and Willie Gay were undoubtedly the present and future at the position, but the loss of Ben Niemann as well made some fans wonder if Hitchens would be back for a lesser price in a mentoring role.

That was good news for Hitchens, who flirted with the Chicago Bears but nothing more in the first two months of free agency. Even after the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft, Hitchens remains available on the open market. But at this time, it looks as if the Chiefs have closed the door.

Shortly after the trade of Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs began to spend the money cleared up from such a move. One of those signings went for Jermaine Carter, a 17-game starter for the Carolina Panthers last season. Another went for Elijah Lee, a journeyman linebacker who will play special teams and compete for a role close to his alma mater of Kansas State. Along with those two, the Chiefs also drafted Leo Chenal from Wisconsin in the third round of this year’s draft.

With the trio of new additions, the Chiefs suddenly had a bright young core who should get better with each new game they’re able to play together. As little as Hitchens has played on special teams in years, it’s hard to see him slipping into a role typically reserved for someone who plays a smaller role plus merch opps.

Unless something drastic changes, the Chiefs have likely moved on completely from Hitchens.