The 3 best moves of the KC Chiefs offseason

Best moves of the KC Chiefs offseason - Signing Drue Tranquill

Linebacker Drue Tranquill may not be a Pro Bowl contender this season, but he possesses the potential to play a significant role in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Prior to Tranquill, the Chiefs had Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, and Willie Gay at linebacker. While Bolton and Chenal excel as downhill run defenders, Gay thrives in coverage. Consequently, Kansas City lacked a second coverage linebacker behind Gay, particularly with Darius Harris still being a free agent.

Tranquill aligns more closely with Willie Gay's style of play rather than Nick Bolton's, as he focuses less on run defense and excels in coverage, while also demonstrating proficiency as a blitzer. According to Pro Football Focus ($), Tranquill recorded an impressive 15 pressures and 5 sacks in just 70 pass rush snaps for the Chargers last season. Additionally, Tranquill has showcased his aptitude in coverage over the past few seasons. By upgrading from Harris to Tranquill, the Chiefs can expect improved pass defense, as they were more vulnerable on passing plays when Harris was on the field.

Notably, Tranquill brings experience in special teams, having accumulated over 450 snaps in that capacity since entering the NFL in 2019.

Considering the modest investment of only $3 million for a one-year contract, the Chiefs secured Drue Tranquill at a remarkably low cost. The discontent expressed by several Charger fans on my Twitter timeline upon the announcement of the move underscores the value of this acquisition for Kansas City. Brett Veach deserves recognition for making a shrewd move that entails minimal risk but promises substantial rewards.