NFL
What are the details of Drue Tranquill’s new contract with the Chiefs?
The linebacker is set to continue with the Kansas City Chiefs after winning Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas last month. The deal could have consequences for Willie Gay.
The Kansas City Chiefs have yet to resolve the future of star defensive tackle Chris Jones, but they have already begun to move their pieces with the goal of lifting their third Vince Lombardi trophy in a row. According to a NFL Network report, the Super Bowl LVIII champions have re-signed linebacker Drue Tranquill to a three-year deal. The extension comes just in time for the 28-year-old, who was due to enter free agency next week.
Breakdown of Drue Tranquill’s contract extension
The financial details revealed dictate that Tranquill will earn $19 million for the next three seasons and of that total, $13 million is guaranteed. According to Spotrac, the linebacker earned $3 million last year with the Chiefs ($2.4 million guaranteed) plus a $1,440,000 signing bonus. With the new deal, he effectively doubles his annual wage packet, receiving an average salary $6,333,333 until his contract expires at the end of 2026.
What will happen now to Willie Gay?
The University of Notre Dame graduate arrived in Kansas City a year ago after spending his first four seasons as a professional with the Los Angeles Chargers. Tranquill joined the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft.
The linebacker shone in his first year in Kansas City. He started eight of the 16 regular season games he played, recorded 78 tackles, seven of them for loss of yards, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. During the postseason he had 21 tackles and started in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chiefs' free agents for the 2024 season include big names like defensive tackle Chris Jones, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, offensive tackle Donovan Smith, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and linebacker Willie Gay. The latter seems to have ended his journey in Kansas City.
Gay has spent the last four years with the Chiefs, but in no season has he played more than 70 percent of the defensive snaps. In addition, Gay’s market value is around $7 million annually and that would limit the NFL champions from rehiring Chris Jones. On top of that, Leo Chenal has been knocking on the door which makes it seems almost impossible for Gay to stay on in Kansas City.