The Kansas City Chiefs have their starting linebackers set with Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill taking the lead there. Depth is always nice to have though and it's entirely possible that the Chiefs could bring in one of their former linebackers to add to the position.
Chiefs fans probably remember the name Willie Gay Jr., as he spent four seasons in Kansas City after the organization used a second-round pick on him in the 2020 draft. Gay became a fairly popular player by the end of his Chiefs tenure, but, when push came to shove, Brett Veach opted to let the linebacker depart in free agency.
Gay went on to sign a deal with the New Orleans Saints where he spent one year before heading east to South Beach, joining the Miami Dolphins for the 2025 season. Gay didn't play much for Miami so it was a bit of a surprise when he re-signed with them this past offseason.
Fortunately for Miami, it appears that Gay is making a positive impact early in training camp. Team reporter Travis Wingfield said that the linebacker had one of the best plays of the day during a recent practice, recording a pick-six.
Despite Gay's promising performance so far, the Dolphins still might not keep him on their 53-man roster. According to Dante Walker of Phin Phanatic, FanSided's site dedicated to the Miami Dolphins, Gay could find himself on the trade block even with a solid output this summer.
"Realistically speaking, the Dolphins will certainly have Jordyn Brooks, Jacob Rodriguez, and Kyle Louis on the roster at linebacker when the season kicks off. If [Tyrel] Dodson is kept on board, that makes four. Willie Gay Jr. may have a hard time sticking, no matter how well he plays. If the upward trajectory he's been on since 2025 continues during the preseason, when it's on full display for the rest of the league, other teams may begin to take notice.
"The Dolphins would be wise to listen. Despite Gay Jr.'s standout play, Miami has made considerable investments at the position," Walker wrote. "If the Dolphins are able to snag a draft pick (or an intriguing player at a position of need, like defensive back) for a veteran on a one-year deal, they should pounce."
If Dolphins shop Willie Gay, Chiefs should absolutely inquire
While the Chiefs have their starting depth figured out in Bolton and Tranquill, behind those guys are Jeffrey Bassa and Cooper McDonald. Both Bassa and McDonald are entering their second seasons so it'd be beneficial to have someone like Gay on the bench to help mentor them.
Gay played for the Chiefs from 2020 to 2023 before he left so he has experience playing for Steve Spagnuolo as well. He's not necessarily starting-caliber anymore these days but clearly the Dolphins like what they see from him and just simply might not have the room to keep him around.
If they shop him, it could make a lot of sense to see what it'd take to bring Gay back to Kansas City. Now obviously if it's going to cost an arm and a leg to land him, then that's another thing but the Dolphins would need to be realistic about what they could and should get in return for Gay. If it's reasonable, why not kick the tires on an old friend and bring him back to the team that drafted him?
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