Chiefs News 2/24: Chiefs monitoring Tyreek Hill for potential reunion
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 congratulates wide receiver Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs after his touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe latestWhy a reunion makes sense for Chiefs and Tyreek Hill | ESPN
While it's uncertain if Hill will be available for the season opener, the Chiefs are expected to monitor the progress of his recovery and training, according to league sources.
We go through everything and everybody [in free agency]," Reid said Friday. That's how [general manager] Brett [Veach] does [it]. I'm sure [Hill's] working hard on that [rehab] part of it and trying to get all that straightened out. We talk about everything, so there's nothing happening there, but we know he's out there and cranking away trying to get himself back to where he can play."
The Chiefs, as they've done in the past, could offer Hill a one-year contract with incentives to add a boost to their offense - a unit that will feature quarterbackPatrick Mahomesafter he recovers from the most significant injury of his career, the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. In 2022, after the Chiefs traded Hill to the Dolphins for five draft picks, the team signed veteran receiverJuJu Smith-Schusterto a one-year deal for a maximum of $10.75 million. The Chiefs and Hill could negotiate a similar contract, which would allow Hill to be a free agent again next year with the hope of him being healthier and his knee further strengthened.
If both parties can agree to a deal, whether later in the offseason or early in the season, Hill would be reunited with Mahomes, coach Andy Reid and potentially tight endTravis Kelce, who is strongly considering re-signing with the team for the 14th season in his career, according to multiple members of the Chiefs' organization.
So, how does Javonte Williams' contract come into play as Brett Veach navigates the offseason for Kansas City? Williams had a breakout season for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 with 287 touches for 1,338 yards and 13 total touchdowns.Jacksonville JaguarsRB Travis Etienne Jr. hasemerged as one of the Chiefs' top free agent targets in recent weeks. He had a very similar season to Williams in terms of production in 2025, with 297 touches for 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns. Etienne is 27, while Williams is 28. If the Chiefs are truly going after Etienne in free agency, it stands to reason that he'd fetch a similar deal to the one Williams received.
Any running back slated for free agency - like Breece Hall, Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, and so on - will now have to contend with a tough argument. A breakout star who produced over 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 took a three-year deal worth $24 million. Why should they earn more?
Kansas City Chiefs big board: 10 prospects each draft day that could make sense | The Athletic
For the most part, Veach has gone with premium positions in the first round while correctly understanding the importance of getting a player who creates surplus value on a rookie contract.
For the Chiefs specifically, the most pressing needs among these positions are on the defensive line and at wide receiver, and the team could have plenty of options there depending on how the draft falls.
David Bailey has seen his stock soar in recent weeks and seems unlikely to slip to No. 9, but one would think the Chiefs will have plenty of familiarity, given that he played for quarterback Patrick Mahomes' alma mater. Rueben Bain Jr., similarly, seems to be moving up draft boards, but his inside-outside versatility certainly would make sense for a defense that loves to rotate its guys around.
If the edge guys go early, the Chiefs could have their pick of the first receiver in the draft (like I did inThe Athletic'sbeat writer mock draft, when I selected Carnell Tate at No. 9.) The team isn't afraid to trust its evaluations, however, so opting for Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon could happen as well, with those three wideouts seeming to separate themselves at that particular position.
Given the guys that they have on a roster now, he might be the person to sort of lift those guys' play, right?" Mathieu said. Because we talked about Xavier Worthy and a lot of these other kids, that they just haven't figured it out yet. And one of the things that, like I said, impressed me the most with Tyreek was he was just like me. He's a football player. He don't miss practice, right? Like, he takes all his reps. He don't miss no games.
And I think, given what the Chiefs have sort of experienced the last three years at the wide receiver position, he may be the next best teacher for them."
Updated Landing Spots for Travis Etienne Jr., Top 2026 NFL Free-Agent RBs | Bleacher Report
Around the NFLRico Dowdle: Kansas City Chiefs
The underrated Rico Dowdle is quietly coming off back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. He served as a backup early in his career, so the 27-year-old doesn't have much tread on his legs. He's logged only 567 total carries across six seasons.
Despite his recent production, Dowdle won't garner as much attention as the household names with accolades and early-round draft pedigrees. He may be available at a modest price, making him an ideal fit for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Falcons to use franchise tag on TE Kyle Pitts | NFL.com
Pitts became a Falcon in 2021 when Atlanta spent the fourth-overall pick on the Florida product, immediately placing great expectations on his shoulders as a dynamic athlete with the potential to become a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He's never quite reached that high bar but also has played under two different head coaches and two offensive coordinators in five seasons while running routes for an assortment of quarterbacks: Matt Ryan,Marcus Mariota,Desmond Ridder,Taylor Heinicke,Kirk CousinsandMichael Penix Jr.
With this in mind, there was a general belief Atlanta might let Pitts test free agency in lieu of hammering out an extension with the 2021 Pro Bowler. Instead, new coach Kevin Stefanski - an individual with a history of featuring tight ends and relying on two-tight end sets - and new general manager Ian Cunningham have decided they'd rather prevent Pitts from leaving entirely by committing to paying him a projected $16.3 million for 2026 while preserving the chance to work out a multi-year deal.
Rapoport added that a long-term deal replacing the tag is indeed the Falcons' preferred outcome, and the sides will have until July 15 to agree to one.
Chargers C Bradley Bozeman announces retirement | ESPN
This game has given me so much - lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever," Bozemansaid in his post. I've poured everything I had into this journey, and I walk away grateful and proud."
A native of Roanoke, Alabama, Bozeman played college football at the University of Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2018. TheBaltimore Ravensselected him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, and Bozeman went on to play eight years and start 110 games in his career.
Bozeman spent his final two years in Los Angeles, where he became one of the team's most beloved and respected players. But his on-field performance drew scrutiny. He was part of one of the league's worst interior lines and became a frequent target of criticism, which appeared to wear on him.
There's things that I wish I could take back, obviously, but overall, I feel like I had a solid year. A lot of people don't think that, but a lot of people aren't in our room," Bozeman said after the season while fighting back tears. ... So for me, I'm proud of this year. I'm proud of myself."
Cowboys take calculated risk in tagging George Pickens | Pro Football Talk
In case you missed it on Arrowhead PrideThey know they're taking a calculated risk by squatting on Pickens for roughly $28 million in 2026, when the top rate at the receiver position has moved to $40 million. He'll have the right to stay away from everything in the offseason, training camp, and the preseason. He can show up only days before Week 1 and get the full amount of his franchise tender (unless the Cowboys rescind it).
Cowboys executive V.P. Stephen Jones addressed the situation with reporters on Monday, and he was asked about the potential complications of Pickens deciding to respond to the team's reliance on the terms of the CBA by doing the same thing.
It crosses your mind," Jones said, via Todd Archer of ESPN.com. I mean a lot of the guys we've tagged participated in everything, Dak [Prescott] leading the way. He played under two of them. He never missed anything. Hopefully that'll be the case here."
4 scary outcomes for the Chiefs' 2026 offseason
Social media to make you think2. Chiefs target another smaller receiver
The Chiefs need more to add to their receiving room, but it's important that they target the right players. Andy Reid has preferred to add small receivers, but that doesn't fit what the team needs.
The player who embodies this issue is Hollywood Brown. It was a struggle to play Brown, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy at the same time last year. All three players work best from the slot, but you can't play three slot receivers. So, at least one of those players would be wasted every snap, which made it easier to defend the Chiefs.
If Rice and Worthy are going to be major parts of the offense, then Kansas City has to get an outside receiver who can stretch the field vertically and beat man coverage. That's the skillset they have lacked ever since Sammy Watkins left. Tyquan Thornton had nice moments, but his route tree is too limited to have him be a starting receiver.
The Chiefs need this style of player to tie the room together and get everyone into the right roles. The front office can't add another small player to the room.
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