The Kansas City Chiefs have lost a defensive player with the team during its three most recent Super Bowl titles.

According to his agency, Sportstrust Advisors, former Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi has signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. Nnadi was picked in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, Brett Veach’s first draft as general manager. He was the last remaining player from that draft class in Kansas City, and he had been since 2021 when S Armani Watts left the team.

In each of the last three seasons, Nnadi had returned to Kansas City on a one-year deal after becoming a free agent. He’ll take a different route this time by joining first-time Jets HC Aaron Glenn as he aims to turn the tides in New York.

In seven seasons with the Chiefs, Nnadi has been a defensive cornerstone. He started 99 combined regular and postseason games. During that span, he’s recorded 271 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, two passes defended, and one interception. He’s been a valuable run-stuffer for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, but he will also be missed in the Kansas City community for his work with the KC Pet Project.

The decision to move on from Nnadi will leave a hole in the Chiefs’ defense, which now has a big need for a true nose tackle type. While Kansas City did add DL Jerry Tillery in free agency, the team has not invested much in the position group despite now having just four players under contract for the 2025 NFL season. All signs point to the Chiefs rebuilding their interior defensive line through a deep 2025 NFL draft class.