Chiefs tender 2 restricted free brokers, re-sign one other reserve participant

Because the NFL’s 2025 league yr opened on Wednesday, a slew of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ roster strikes grew to become official.

The league additionally launched a listing of gamers who obtained restricted free agent tenders from NFL groups. Two Kansas Metropolis gamers have been among the many 13 who grew to become restricted free brokers: cornerback Nazeeh Johnson and linebacker Jack Cochrane. Each gamers obtained a proper of first refusal tender.

This transfer gives every participant a $3.3 million wage for the approaching season. Ought to both signal a contract with one other group, the Chiefs would have the proper to match the provide — however would obtain no compensation if they permit the participant to stroll.

Johnson was the Chiefs’ seventh-round choice out of Marshall within the 2022 NFL Draft. Not like a number of teammates, he didn’t have a yr left on his authentic contract, as a result of he was waived after his rookie coaching camp earlier than being re-signed to the roster shortly afterward. After lacking the 2023 season with a torn ACL suffered in coaching camp, Johnson began six Chiefs video games in 2024.

Photograph by Brooke Sutton/Getty Photos

Cochrane signed with Kansas Metropolis as an undrafted free agent from South Dakota in 2022. Over three seasons, he has developed into one of many group’s most reliable particular groups gamers. Cochrane’s 2024 season was reduce quick by a fractured ankle he sustained in Week 16.

This author lately predicted that the Chiefs wouldn’t provide any of its pending restricted free brokers a contract tender — primarily because of the excessive value of even the bottom tender. Whereas the group noticed it in a different way, Cochrane and Johnson are removed from locked into the roster at their higher-than-expected salaries.

It’s because restricted free agent tenders will not be assured. Whereas Kansas Metropolis may have instant wage cap obligations to each gamers, neither might be paid any cash till the primary regular-season sport. They’ll compete with new faces at their respective positions on this summer time’s coaching camp.

It’s additionally doable that the Chiefs may nonetheless negotiate a decrease compensation with both participant. In 2021, deal with Andrew Wylie was set to play for Kansas Metropolis as a restricted free agent — then at a value of $2.1 million. However after the league’s roster cutdown day, Wylie agreed to a lowered wage to ensure his place on the group — thereby avoiding competitors from a whole lot of recently-released gamers.

Chiefs provided proper of first refusal tenders on CB Nazeeh Johnson and LB Jack Cochrane. These are contract gives of $3.263 million for the 2025 season.

Restricted free brokers not provided tenders: TE Peyton Hendershot, CB Keith Taylor and Ok Spencer Shrader.

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) March 12, 2025

Good friend-of-the-site Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest later confirmed that the Chiefs didn’t tender their remaining pending restricted free brokers, together with cornerback Keith Taylor and tight finish Peyton Hendershot. Kicker Spencer Shrader — a possible unique rights free agent — additionally wasn’t tendered. All have now change into unrestricted free brokers eligible to signal with any group — together with the Chiefs.

Photograph by Grant Halverson/Getty Photos

Derrick additionally reported Wednesday that one other of Kansas Metropolis’s potential restricted free brokers — defensive finish Malik Herring — has re-signed with the group on a one-year contract. Herring joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2021, however missed all of his first yr recovering from an damage sustained within the draft course of.

The previous Georgia Bulldog has appeared in 26 profession video games with the Chiefs, together with 12 final season. He has 1.5 profession sacks.