Drue Tranquill signs 3-year deal to stay with Kansas City Chiefs

With the beginning of free agency scheduled for next week, teams around the NFL, including the Kansas City Chiefs, are hoping to secure as much business as possible before the doors fling open and hundreds of players are free to sign with new teams.

The Chiefs have been able to keep one important defender from reaching free agency with the news that they've reached an agreement with linebacker Drue Tranquill on a new multi-year deal.

ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler broke the news that a deal was forthcoming on Thursday evening, and Ian Rapoport reported further details of the terms, saying it was a three-year deal with $13 million guaranteed. The total deal can reach $19 million with incentives.

The Chiefs and Drue Tranquill are reportedly zeroing in on a new deal before free agency.

Tranquill joined the Chiefs last season as a free agent on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, and the reviews were overly positive as the Chiefs' play in the second level of the defense was greater than it had been in years.

Tranquill first came into the league as a former fourth-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Chargers back in 2019. Tranquill finished his rookie deal with the Bolts only to join the Chiefs after facing them twice each season in the AFC West.

Together with Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, and Willie Gay Jr., the Chiefs linebacking corps formed the heart of a Super Bowl-winning defense. With Gay also scheduled for free agency, it is a savvy move by the Chiefs to bring back Tranquill before free agency begins.

Last season, Tranquill had 78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 quarterback hits in 16 games.