Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman.
When the Kansas City Chiefs lost Bryan Cook to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, they suddenly had a big hole to fill at safety.
However, they wasted no time addressing that need, signing free agent Alohi Gilman to a three-year, $24.75 million contract, with $15M guaranteed. Gilman is a six-year veteran who began his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in October of last season.
Gilman made a big impact, recording 68 total tackles, six passes defended, and one forced fumble in 12 games with Baltimore. He now joins a young Chiefs secondary in which he’ll have the opportunity to become the leader of. Gilman will have big shoes to fill, following the likes of Cook, Justin Reid, and Tyrann Mathieu.
Gilman spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time since signing with the Chiefs. He had this to say about Tranquill, who was his teammate during their collegiate days at Notre Dame and for two season with the Chargers:
“Drue’s my guy,” Gilman said. “He’s been recruiting me hard here. That’s my third agent. Drue’s been doing his thing. I’ve had good conversations with him over the years. I played with him at Notre Dame [and with] the Chargers as well. So much respect for him as a warrior, as a player, as a teammate, and just as a friend. I got a lot of respect for him, that’s my guy. I’ll go to war with him any day. Excited to strap it up with him, and really excited about the opportunity.”
Tranquill has been rumored to be a possible salary cap cut casualty, as the Chiefs could save nearly $6 million by releasing him. However, it seems like they would have done it by now if they were going to. Losing fellow linebacker Leo Chenal in free agency to the Washington Commanders also gives Kansas City a big reason to hang onto Tranquill.
Kansas City Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III- Getty
The other two big free agent signings by Kansas City earlier in the week, Walker and Tonga, were also introduced to the media on Thursday. Walker had this to say about his first impression of quarterback Patrick Mahomes:
“When I came here he (Mahomes) tweeted out, and then we talked on the phone and texted each other,” Walker said. “And I was able to see him today. It was cool to meet him. [He’s] a real genuine person.”
When Tonga spoke, he revealed that he also had a positive introduction with another Chiefs star – defensive lineman Chris Jones.
“I am pumped to be able to come in and play next to Chris,” Tonga said. “I just met him for the first time [today] in the weight room, and he looks pretty mad about last season. I’m excited, I can’t wait to be able to help him out, and be able to help out the defense as much as I can.”
Gilman, Walker, and Tonga will all have the opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Chiefs in 2026, and help them get back to being a Super Bowl contender.