Chiefs 2023 Free Agency: Reports, Rumors and More

Here's what you need to know about the NFL's legal tampering and free agency periods.

The 2023 edition of NFL free agency is in full swing, as the opening of the league's legal tampering window/negotiation period was live as of noon ET on Monday. At 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, free agency officially began along with the start of the new league year.

During the legal tampering period and negotiation window, teams were allowed to communicate with the camps of unrestricted free agents around the league regarding contracts. Once the new league year began, teams could communicate directly with players and also make transactions official. For the Chiefs, they've already been busy on the market and will have more moves coming as the offseason continues to unfold.

Tracking Chiefs free agency news and reports

Pre-NFL Draft News:

• Justin Watson is coming back to Kansas City on a two-year deal, as his agency JL Sports broke the news on April 14. 
• According to Pat McAfee live on his show, Kansas City is signing veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert. It's expected to be a one-year agreement. 
• Field Yates of ESPN reports that punter Tommy Townsend is back with the Chiefs after hitting restricted free agency.

Week 3 FA News:

• The Chiefs are bringing safety Deon Bush back for another year, further bolstering the depth in Steve Spagnuolo's defensive backfield.
• The Chiefs have reportedly agreed to terms with former New York Giants wide receiver Richie James.

Week 2 FA News:

• According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team and Derrick Nnadi's agents, SportsTrust, Kansas City is re-signing the starting nose tackle.
• Ronald Jones has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, per Todd Archer of ESPN. Jones played in six games this past season in Kansas City.
• According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Mecole Hardman is signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets.
• Blake Bell is back in the fold for the Chiefs this offseason, as Kansas City is re-signing him to a one-year deal.
• Former 2019 fifth-round pick Byron Cowart is signing with the Chiefs, as the defensive lineman's representation tweeted on Friday morning.

Friday News

• Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports that offensive lineman Nick Allegretti is back in Kansas City on a one-year deal.
• The Chiefs are signing former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill, according to Jordan Schultz of theScore. His deal is reportedly for one year and worth up to $5 million. Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports Tranquill's deal is worth $3 million before incentives.
• Analysis: Tranquill joins a full group of young linebackers in Kansas City, with Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr. and Leo Chenal all on rookie contracts. Pending incentives, this makes Tranquill, 27, the highest-paid linebacker on the Chiefs, but adds a coverage-ready linebacker at a reasonable cost. - Joshua Brisco
• In an effort to add some depth to the defensive backfield, Kansas City is signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards to a one-year contract that follows a similar general structure as Tranquill's. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the news. 

Wednesday News

• Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report that defensive tackle Khalen Saunders is signing with the New Orleans Saints.
• According to Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest, quarterback Shane Buechele has been given an ERFA tender. More on that move here.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster is inking a multi-year contract with the New England Patriots, per Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Network.
• Offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho received an ERFA offer, but linebacker Darius Harris — who was an RFA — did not.
• Late on Wednesday afternoon, Pelissero reported that Thornhill was joining the Cleveland Browns on a three-year deal worth $21M.
• The Chiefs converted $12M of Patrick Mahomes's 2023 roster bonus to a signing bonus, per Field Yates of ESPN, creating $9.6M in salary cap space.
• On Wednesday night, news of where Orlando Brown Jr. is headed next finally broke. The four-time Pro Bowler is joining the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-year deal. 

Tuesday News

• James Palmer of NFL Network reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Chiefs extended an exclusive rights free agent tender to tight end Jody Fortson.
• On Tuesday night, Rapoport reported that Kansas City is signing former Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Charles Omenihu to a two-year deal. Here's more on that move.
• Rapoport also tweeted that former Chiefs fullback Mike Burton is staying in the AFC West, as he's signing a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos. 

Monday News

• According to Meirov, offensive lineman Andrew Wylie plans to sign a three-year deal with the Washington Commanders. Wylie will reunite with Eric Bieniemy on a $24M price tag overall.
• Shortly after the Wylie news was reported, Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news that Kansas City is signing former Jacksonville Jaguars offense tackle Jawaan Taylor to a multi-year deal. More on the signing can be found here.
• Late on Monday night, it was reported that Kansas City is re-signing defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton — a restricted free agent — to a one-year deal for 2023. 

Chiefs' 2023 unrestricted free agent class

• OTs Orlando Brown Jr.* and Andrew Wylie*
• OG Nick Allegretti**
• WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster*, Mecole Hardman* and Justin Watson**
• TE Blake Bell**
• RBs Ronald Jones* and Jerick McKinnon
• FB Michael Burton*
• S Deon Bush** and Juan Thornhill*
• DTs Derrick Nnadi**, Khalen Saunders* and Brandon Williams
• DEs Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap

*Indicates signed elsewhere. **Indicates re-signed.

All 10 of Kansas City's 2023 NFL Draft selections

• Round 1: Pick 31
• Round 2: Pick 63
• Round 3: Pick 95
• Round 4: Pick 122, pick 134
• Round 5: Pick 166
• Round 6: Pick 178, pick 217
• Round 7: Pick 249, pick 250

The contents of this story in relation to players' free agency situations are fluid. The story will be updated as needed.