Chiefs rumors: Carlos Dunlap sounds open to returning in 2023

Carlos Dunlap isn't quite sure where he's going to play in 2023, but it sounds as if a return to the kansas City Chiefs isn't out of the question.

The edge rusher position for the Chiefs is a curious one as things currently stand. On the one hand, there are loads of young talent hoping to make the active roster, and the depth chart might look fine without any further moves. Then again, rumors of re-signing Frank Clark were floating for most of the offseason and such a young room might still be in need of veteran help.

Even without Clark, the Chiefs have a few veteran options to select from if they wanted to bolster the defensive end position. There's also a reason why they say a team can never have enough pass rushers.

A year ago, Dunlap climbed on board the Chiefs roster just before training camp and provided some important veteran rotational help for the rigors of a long season that ultimately ended with a Super Bowl champion. For a veteran defender like Dunlap, it was the postseason he'd been waiting for after 13 seasons in the league without a single playoff victory.

Dunlap is currently a free agent and yet he sounds healthy and ready to play again. Ina recent interview with Forbes Magazine, Dunlap said, "I can help another team get one of their own or help the Chiefs again. The Chiefs haven’t ruled that out, but currently it’s a waiting game.”

If the Chiefs are waiting at this point, it could be for a couple of reasons. If the team is wanting to clear up enough finances to do so, then everyone might be waiting for defensive tackle Chris Jones and the team to arrive at a long-term extension which would clear some cap space in the interim. If the Chiefs wait longer, they might want to see what they have in younger talent before committing to a veteran like Dunlap again.

If the Chiefs want to see what they have in house, they will need time to give reps to players like Felix Anudike-Uzomah and B.J. Thompson, both of whom were drafted this year, while also checking out how far holdovers like Malik Herring and Joshua Kaindoh have come.

Dunlap had 4 sacks for the Chiefs in 2022.