Chiefs news: Former KC cornerback Lonnie Johnson signs with Saints

The New Orleans Saints are going all-in on former K.C. Chiefs defensive backs these days.

While we’re all fans of what the Kansas City Chiefs do most of the time, it’s hard to ignore the fandom of the New Orleans Saints when it comes to the Chiefs defense. They’ve apparently got some dedicated and passionate admirers there in the Big Easy because it feels like many of the defensive players who have come through Kansas City in recent years somehow end up playing in NoLa.

The latest former Chiefs defender to sign with the Saints is cornerback Lonnie Johnson. Johnson reportedly agreed with the team on a one-year deal in free agency earlier this week.

Johnson will be familiar to Chiefs fans who were excited about the low-risk trade following the 2022 NFL Draft. Interestingly, the Chiefs swapped a future 7th round pick (2024) to the Houston Texans for Johnson last May. However, the Chiefs had already drafted several defensive backs and, as it turns out, the rookies were more ready to play than anyone could have anticipated.

The Chiefs young secondary came up huge during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2022, a list that includes Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Bryan Cook and first-round pick Trent McDuffie. That also meant that Johnson was on the outside looking in and was ultimately waived in training camp. The Tennessee Titans claimed him the next day and he spent the season in Nashville.

As for the Saints, they already have Tyrann Mathieu in the secondary and defensive linemen Khalen Saunders and Tanoh Kpassagnon. That’s not to mention Daniel Sorensen or defensive end Taco Charlton, who are now free agents.

Here’s what’s trending in other Chiefs news

Some Chargers fans didn’t handle it well when learning Drue Tranquill joined Chiefs (Star)

We’re always here for rival frustrations and it’s not hard to find Chargers fans who just hate the fact that their well-rounded linebacker is now playing for the defending champs.

Could Chiefs take a flyer on D.J. Fluker? (Chiefs Wire)

An interesting proposition for the Chiefs to consider along the offensive line is floated here at Chiefs Wire. It’s worth a read given the questions that still remain about offensive tackle.