Chiefs continue free-agency trend in bringing back two veteran defensive tackles
The Kansas City Chiefs continued an early pattern with their latest free-agent signings.
KC is bringing back defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton on a one-year deal, The Star has confirmed. Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, who first reported the signing, said Wharton is receiving a $2.75 million guaranteed contract.
Later on Thursday, SportsTrust Advisors announced that their client, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, also had agreed to a deal to re-sign with KC.
The transactions are just the latest where Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has worked to reunite the defense from last year’s Super Bowl run. So far, in addition to Wharton and Nnadi, KC has re-signed defensive tackle Chris Jones and Mike Pennel, linebacker Drue Tranquill and safety Deon Bush.
Wharton, 25, played in all 17 regular-season games for the Chiefs last season, posting 21 tackles and two sacks. He also contributed a significant play late in Super Bowl LVIII, sharing a tackle with Pennel for no gain on second-and-4 in overtime before the Chiefs held the San Francisco 49ers to a field-goal attempt.
The Chiefs initially added Wharton as an undrafted free agent following his college career at Missouri S&T. He’s spent the last four seasons with the Chiefs, playing in 55 regular-season games with three starts.
Nnadi, 27, started all 17 regular-season games for the Chiefs in 2023 with 29 tackles. He was placed on injured reserve during the playoffs with a triceps injury.
KC also lost a player to free agency Thursday, as tight end Jody Fortson agreed to a contract with the Miami Dolphins, according to his Katz Brothers agency. Fortson, 28, spent two seasons with the Chiefs before missing all of last year with a shoulder injury.
The Star’s Sam McDowell contributed to this report.
