The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back some restricted free agents before the new league year begins. After news broke of the re-signing of punter Matt Araiza for the 2025 season, the Chiefs are reportedly also bringing back Mike Caliendo.
ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler broke the news of Caliendo's return to the offensive line for the Chiefs—a move that bolsters the depth and versatility along the interior for Andy Reid's team.
The Chiefs unearthed Caliendo in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan, where he was teammates with second-round wide receiver Skyy Moore. Caliendo not only made the team out of training camp but has gone on to become a valuable fill-in and depth piece for the Chiefs inside.
The Chiefs tendered an offer to another restricted free agent on Friday after doing the same with Matt Araiza.
The Chiefs watched super subs like Andrew Wylie and Nick Allegretti graduate in recent offseasons to other teams after signing free agent deals elsewhere—both with the Washington Commanders. Caliendo has turned into that sort of piece inside for the Chiefs where he was able to sub for Joe Thuney at left guard.
The ceiling for Caliendo is likely to remain in that sixth man sort of role for the Chiefs' offensive line, but there's definitely value in having him around for 2025—even if his limitations were made clear in the team's postseason run with Thuney shifted outside to left tackle.
Caliendo, who is 27 years old, appeared in all 17 games for the Chiefs last season and started three.