2025 NFL free agency grades: Team-by-team marks as Vikings address major needs, retooling 49ers fail | CBS Sports

Kansas City Chiefs: A-

Key additions and re-signings: OT Jaylon Moore, RB Elijah Mitchell, CB Kristian Fulton, OG Trey Smith (franchise tag), LB Nick Bolton, WR Marquise Brown

Key departures: OG Joe Thuney, S Justin Reid, WR DeAndre Hopkins, DT Tershawn Wharton, OLB Josh Uche

I like how the Chiefs have rebounded following their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles. They placed the franchise tag on Trey Smith, quickly targeted Patrick Mahomes’ new left tackle in Jaylon Moore, added a starting cornerback in Kristian Fulton, retained linebacker and defensive quarterback Nick Bolton and re-signed wide receivers Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. We’ll see if Moore is the long-term answer at left tackle and how left guard shakes out, but Kansas City has done a good job.

Chiefs Mourn the Passing of Chiefs Radio Network Executive Producer Dan Israel | The Mothership

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Israel this morning. Danny was part of every Chiefs game of my entire career, and I consider it a great privilege to have been able to watch him work as part of the Chiefs Radio Network. He was a model of professionalism, commitment, and kindness, and he brought a passion to his work that was unmatched, even as he privately battled health conditions for years. Chiefs Kingdom was lucky to have Danny be part of their football lives for 35 seasons, and I am forever grateful to have learned so much from him in my time here. All of Chiefs Kingdom will miss Danny, and I extend my thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Why Patrick Mahomes will love Jaylon Moore and more from the Chiefs’ free-agent signees | The Athletic

In the past two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Moore played 279 pass-blocking snaps and allowed just two sacks. The Chiefs are optimistic that he is ready for an increase in responsibility after being a four-year understudy behind Trent Williams, one of the league’s best left tackles.

“It was everything I could’ve imagined,” Moore said of Williams. “You sit in the film room every day, and I set a standard for myself. Being able to study behind him and critique my game based on what I see made all the difference in the world.

“I’m pretty big on technique and finishing, just trying to be the nasty guy who is always still honing on my technique.”

Moore vowed to do everything possible through the offseason program to build a strong relationship with Mahomes so the quarterback can trust him by opening day.

Four-round 2025 NFL mock draft: Three QBs taken in top seven picks; Steelers select RB in first round | NFL.com

27 –Kansas City Chiefs

Tyler Booker

Alabama · OG · Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS

Kansas City is haunted by its inability to stop Philadelphia’s front four in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs signed 49ers backup tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million free-agent deal, but they keep addressing the OL issue in this exercise. K.C. sends first- and third-round selections to Baltimore for this pick and a fourth-rounder, adding Booker to replace Joe Thuney up front.

Around the NFL

QB Jameis Winston agrees to 2-year, $8M deal with Giants | ESPN

The signing comes after weeks of the Giants flirting with Aaron Rodgers and missing out on Matthew Stafford, who remained with the Los Angeles Rams on a new contract. Rodgers visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier Friday, hours before New York pivoted to Winston.

It was starting to seem in recent days as if the Giants were a long shot for Rodgers, the four-time MVP. Winston gives them a quarterback capable of starting who can also serve as a mentor to a young quarterback from the draft.

New York is still expected to add to its quarterback room this offseason despite the addition of Winston. It still needs a young quarterback, who is most likely to come in the draft. The Giants currently hold the No. 3 pick.

Aaron Rodgers visits Steelers: QB leaves facility without agreement in place, deal not imminent, per reports | CBS Sports

Rodgers has reportedly been trying to decide between signing with the Steelers, the New York Giants or retirement. The Minnesota Vikings, who had also been linked with Rodgers, have reportedly decided to instead move forward with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season season due to injury.

A four-time league MVP, Rodgers is coming off a 2024 season that saw him rank in the top 10 in the NFL in both passing yards and touchdown passes. While most would consider that a banner year, it was not a typical season for Rodgers, who suffered through the worst year of his career from a win-loss standpoint. The Jets’ 5-12 record last year prompted major change within the organization that included the team’s new brass electing not to bring back Rodgers, who officially became a free agent shortly after free agency officially started on March 12.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Roster: New DL Jerry Tillery is glad to see some familiar faces

“I’ve played against the Chiefs [in] six years of my career now,” he explained. “Four in L.A. and then two in Las Vegas. I’ve been to Kansas City a couple of times now.

“So I’ve been watching this team closely my whole career. Obviously they — I guess we, now — have been on the top of the AFC West for a long time. My job here is to continue that dominance.”

In Kansas City, Tillery is looking forward to lining up next to one of the league’s premier pass rushers: defensive lineman Chris Jones.

“[He’s] is an incredible player — someone who I am excited to play with,” said Tillery. “I’ve watched him over the years as well. [He’s] somebody at the top of our game, who’s doing it the best. So to watch this guy work — and to be with him? I think that type of player is someone who can raise everybody’s level. And Chris Jones is a great guy, so I’m excited to get to know him better — and even more excited to play with him.“

One other Kansas City player will need no introduction: linebacker Drue Tranquill, who was Tillery’s teammate at Notre Dame University and with the Chargers.

“Drue is one of the best guys I know,” said Tillery . “A great football player — [and] even better person. [He’s a] man of the Lord [and] loves his family. He’s doing it right — and he’s killing it on the football field as well.

“I know Drue’s had a lot of success here. I’m looking forward to getting back with Drue and playing with him again. “

But while he’s not acquainted with Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Tillery is also excited about not having to stop him.

“Not having to try to defend this guy when the money is on the line? That’s going to be different,” said Tillery. “But to watch him cook — for our team on the same sideline — will definitely be a different experience.