KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Just days before the NFL’s free-agency period began, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to retain one of their most notable veterans who was set to be an unrestricted free agent: linebacker Drue Tranquill.
Thursday night, the Chiefs and Tranquill, a five-year veteran, agreed to a three-year contract worth $19 million, a deal that includes $13 million fully guaranteed, league sources confirmed to The Athletic.
“Unfinished business,” Tranquill wrote Thursday night on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “Chiefs Kingdom LETS GOOOOO.”
Almost a year ago, Tranquill joined the Chiefs on a one-year, $3 million contract to be one of the team’s top role players under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Tranquill excelled in his role, too. In 16 games last season, including eight starts in place of injured starter Nick Bolton, Tranquill recorded 79 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup.
His production was also noteworthy in the Chiefs’ memorable postseason run, as he recorded 21 tackles in four elimination games.
“I felt like this was a place where I could come and get better as a player, a place where I could thrive,” Tranquill said last month before the Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl LVIII. “I felt I could make a big impact.”
unfinished business ‼️#ChiefsKingdom LETS GOOOOO🗣️ pic.twitter.com/uBtj2dAWqF
— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) March 8, 2024
By keeping Tranquill on their roster, the Chiefs have solidified their starting linebackers for next season, as he is expected to play alongside Bolton and Leo Chenal in Spagnuolo’s base personnel.
Tranquill, a fourth-round pick in 2019 from Notre Dame, was the 124th-ranked free agent on The Athletic’s top 150 big board, according to Randy Mueller, the former general manager of the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints.
In January, during the postseason, Tranquill expressed his desire to remain on the roster with a deal that would take him, at age 28, throughout his prime.
At the time, Tranquill also reflected on the pivotal text message he received last year from coach Andy Reid as part of the Chiefs’ recruiting pitch. A day after the team clinched its spot in the Super Bowl, Tranquill revealed what Reid told him with a six-word phrase: “See Red and think Super Bowls.”
“To look back on that text from coach Reid, it’s something to laugh about, but it’s crazy,” Tranquill said then, smiling.
WORLD CHAMPS🏆 pic.twitter.com/9PMvpqWLxl
— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) February 12, 2024
Though known for his impressive skills in coverage, Tranquill also proved to be an effective blitzer for Spagnuolo, who has a reputation for calling a plethora of blitzes to help pressure the opposing quarterback. In the past two seasons, Tranquill has generated plenty of negative plays, recording 9.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
“Coach Spags does a great job with his linebackers in using multiple aspects of their game,” Tranquill said last month. “Blitzing is my favorite thing to do as a player. The ability to be multiple and do a lot of different things was definitely appealing to me. He’s certainly got my utmost respect. I love everything about him.”
One of Tranquill’s most memorable plays last season occurred when Spagnuolo called a six-man blitz against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. The play began with safety Justin Reid deflecting quarterback Lamar Jackson’s pass near the line of scrimmage, the ball bouncing high in the air.
“You hear a loud thud and that typically means the ball is batted and in the air, so you’re looking for it and then, all of a sudden, I see a flash of purple go by my left eye,” Tranquill said, laughing. “I see Justin running, too, and I’m like, ‘What is happening right now?’
“My wife (Jackie) last night was like, ‘Why are you jogging at first?’ I’m like, ‘Because I didn’t know where the ball was.’ She’s like, ‘Shouldn’t you be running full speed?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, probably.’”
LAMAR FREAKIN’ JACKSON.
📺: #KCvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/IIZbdmhqNS pic.twitter.com/mZGuyakLrX— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024
Instead of Reid catching the ball for an interception, Jackson caught his own pass, generating an impressive 13-yard gain. Jackson could’ve gone for an 82-yard touchdown if not for Tranquill’s highlight, as he dove to make a shoestring tackle. Three plays later, the Ravens were forced to punt.
“When I saw Lamar catch it, I just thought, ‘Man, I’ve got to get this guy down,’” Tranquill said. “I just tried to accelerate and I got him.”
At the start of the offseason, the Chiefs made it one of their top priorities to re-sign Tranquill in part because they expected to lose linebacker Willie Gay to another team in free agency. A four-year veteran who will be a first-time unrestricted free agent, Gay said goodbye to Chiefs fans last month through his X account the night after the city’s celebratory parade for the team.
“I Love you FOREVER Kansas City!!!” Gay wrote. “JUICEMAN OUT.”
During the parade, Tranquill made a short appearance on local TV to share his enthusiasm for Chiefs fans and to express, yet again, his desire to continue his career with the franchise.
“It’s better than LA!” Tranquill shouted, referencing the team that acquired him in the draft, the Los Angeles Chargers. “It’s way better than LA! I promise you that! Oh, my God, look at these fans! You don’t do this (everywhere). This doesn’t happen in LA. Chiefs Kingdom, I’m having a great time. Hey, we’re stacking (Vince) Lombardi Trophies! Let’s go!”
We didn’t say it, @DTranquill did. 🤭 pic.twitter.com/jrsjXUJ2lb
— KSHB 41 News (@KSHB41) February 14, 2024
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
