Discussions of the Kansas City Chiefs' secondary are often about talent lost and talent needed, but it's also a numbers game at this stage of the offseason, which is why, if the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft doesn't add enough bodies, a familiar face who sits in free agency makes some sense as a depth signing.
Unless they're swayed by a good deal in the settled season of free agency, the Chiefs are likely to wait until the draft to add a cornerback or three. Just four years ago, general manager Brett Veach selected five defensive backs in a massive class, and he's got another nine draft picks at his disposal in '26. That means K.C. is likely to come away with as few as two and as many as four.
However, Chris Lammons is waiting in the corridors of free agency after having reached the end of his contract with the Indianapolis Colts. And it's a reunion that makes sense for K.C. if the need is still there in May.
If the Chiefs need some cornerback depth later in the spring, Chris Lammons is a name that would make sense.
Last year, at the start of June, the Chiefs had 19 defensive backs on the roster—nineteen. Lest you think that was an anomaly, however, the Chiefs have carried either 18 or 19 competitors in the secondary at the beginning of every summer for the last five offseasons. At the present moment, the Chiefs have 10 players under contract. That means the secondary will essentially double going forward in the next two months.
Talent is the primary concern in the secondary for now, of course. Jaylen Watson is gone. Trent McDuffie was traded. Bryan Cook left in free agency. Those are three above average-to-elite starters lost in a defensive backfield that also watched role players like Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson hit the market as well.
Chris Lammons isn't going to help in that regard. The former undrafted free agent is a journeyman cornerback who is a depth signing and nothing more at this point. So far in his NFL career, he's played for the Falcons, Saints, Dolphins, Chiefs, Bengals, and Colts. However, Lammons has stuck in Indianapolis for the last three years as a special-teams ace capable of stepping into a rotational role when needed, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if Indy offers him a chance to return.
That said, Lammons was also a core player on special teams in K.C. as well, and became a favorite of Dave Toub in the process. Taking flyers on undrafted players is a nice upside play when they turn into something meaningful, but the Chiefs have also kept a veteran defensive back or two around each season for obvious reasons. Whether that's Deon Bush or Mike Edwards at safety or Williams at corner.
Lammons played 30 games over his three-plus seasons in Kansas City from 2019-22. If Johnson isn't brought back, or if the room feels inexperienced after the draft, it wouldn't hurt to keep Lammons in mind as the Chiefs rebuild a very young secondary going forward.