Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports that the Chiefs are “poking around” regarding the idea of signing Colts free agent LB Jerrell Freeman to replace LB Derrick Johnson.
Last we heard regarding Johnson, Chiefs GM John Dorsey said that they plan to do everything in their power to re-sign him.
“You look at the free-agency board as it unfolds, and you look at the character of the man,” Dorsey said when asked about Johnson at the combine, via the Kansas City Star. “Is he the type of guy you want in your locker room? Is he a man of character? Which we all know he is.
“You know … I will do everything within my power to try to do something with him.”
However, it appears as though they’re at least willing to consider getting younger at the position.
Freeman, 29, wound up signing on with the Titans as an undrafted free agent out of Mary Hardin-Baylor back in 2008. He lasted just a year with the Titans before he waived at the start of the season.
It wasn’t until four years later that he got another NFL opportunity when the Colts signed him to a contract in 2012. He returned to the team on a restricted contract last year and is now one of the best available linebackers in this year’s free agent market.
Johnson, 33, is a former first-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2005. He’s in line to be one of the best available inside linebackers in this year’s free agent class.
In 2015, Johnson appeared in all 16 games for the Chiefs and recorded 116 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 8 linebacker out of 97 qualifying players.
We have both players featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.
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