The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to go shopping in the safety aisles of the free agent supermarket set to open next month when the NFL's new league year begins. But as teams sift through who will be made available (or not), an interesting new option has emerged after three full seasons away from the game.
Former Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley announced his intention to return to the sport after retiring after the 2022 season. His return offers an interesting comeback candidate for the Chiefs and other interested parties to consider.
Adderley released a statement on Monday explaining his decision to return to the NFL.
— Nasir Adderley (@Nasir_Adderley) February 9, 2026
"It’s now been three years since I left the NFL, and I am extremely happy with my development. Health, family, and entrepreneurship were my top priorities, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. The freedom to manage my own schedule was very important to me, but what I didn’t realize was how much I’d miss having football in my life. The competition, the brotherhood, and just being involved in the game that means so much to me and my family. Therefore, I am officially announcing my intention to return to the NFL," said Adderley.
Adderley's arrival onto the free-agent market could be an interesting turn for the Chiefs.
Adderley entered the NFL with the Chargers back in 2019 as a second-round pick out of Delaware. He played in only 4 games during his rookie campaign due to a foot fracture, and his sophomore year was limited by a global pandemic. He became a full-time starter for his final three seasons for the Bolts, but Adderley definitely got an odd start in the NFL. When his contract was up, he shockingly retired to focus on his own personal health, he said.
Safety is a vital position for the Chiefs to address this offseason. The position was already looking thin after the team decided to let Justin Reid leave in free agency for a homecoming with the New Orleans Saints. The Chiefs had never went so young in the secondary since Steve Spagnuolo's arrival as defensive coordinator in 2019 and the move backfired with an inconsistent unit that also proved to be too thin.
Bryan Cook was the team's best safety but he's scheduled to hit the open market and should spark a bidding war for his services. Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks are both returning in '26, but it's hard to get excited about either player as an impact starter. Conner plays well enough if Spagnuolo would leave him out of the nickel corner role, while Hicks failed to earn the trust of his coaches after two full seasons in the league.
It's impossible to tell what Adderley would bring to the table at this point, given how long he's been away, but a project like this could be interesting for a team like K.C. simply due to the fact that he wouldn't cost much. The upside play could be worth a closer look, if nothing else, after watching him grow in the AFC West with a division rival.