Mike Caliendo had a chance to spread his wings in free agency for the first time in his career. But according to NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the veteran lineman decided to stay with the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal instead.
Per Fowler, Caliendo had "numerous offers" from other teams, but he's decided to stay and help the team that gave a long shot a place to play in the first place.
Caliendo signed with K.C. as an undrafted prospect out of Western Michigan in 2022 (alongside fellow rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore). After sitting on the practice squad for a year, he made the 53-man roster in 2023 but barely played, logging 57 of his 64 snaps in a Week 18 game in which Andy Reid rested his starters.
The Chiefs have brought back Mike Caliendo one week after setting him free.
In 2024, it was more of the same for Caliendo as he waited in the wings for a chance. And then it came, in the form of a late-season injury to D.J. Humphries. After a rash of injuries at the left tackle posiition, Reid decided to slide Joe Thuney outside and Caliendo got the call in Week 15. He started every game the rest of the way, all the way to Super Bowl LIX.
Caliendo cemented his spot starter status last season by filling in for Trey Smith on multiple occasions as the right guard dealt with nagging ankle injuries. The lift on Caliendo's resume through it all was the exhibited versatility by starting games on both sides of Creed Humphrey.
When Caliendo came into the offseason with a pre-set price of $3.5 million as a restricted free agent, the Chiefs decided not to tender him a qualifying offer. It's a move that sent him into the open market, available to sign with any team. However, the Chiefs were reportedly interested in having him back again, just at a lower price point.
Now, despite the interest of other franchises, Caliendo will make it five seasons in K.C. with a chance to help a team return to its winning ways after suffering a nine-game skid in '25. Caliendo's presence will provide some security in case something happens with Kingsley Suamataia and Trey Smith in the guard spots up front.