The NFL world has been upside down this past week. Free agency and the new league year officially opened up, and players have been finding new homes.
The Los Angeles Chargers have made a couple of additions, including Mekhi Becton, Benjamin St. Juste, and Najee Harris. They also brought back Khalil Mack and Mike Williams.
In the same breath, former players have landed elsewhere. On Thursday, former first-round pick DT Jerry Tillery decided to sign a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, per Jordan Schultz.
Sources: The #Chiefs are signing former #Chargers 1st-round DT Jerry Tillery to a 1-year deal.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2025
Good depth add to the Kansas City D-Line, as Tillery has recorded 12.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 50 career starts. pic.twitter.com/9aysyt3zdK
Jerry Tillery Signs With Kansas City Chiefs
Tillery was a first-round pick by the Chargers back in the 2019 NFL Draft. Across three and a half seasons with Los Angeles, he compiled 106 total tackles, 12 TFLs, 33 QB hits,10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
After an underwhelming 2023 season with the Chargers, they ended up waiving him in November. He latched on with the Las Vegas Raiders and spent two seasons there. After hitting free agency, Tillery signed with the Minnesota Vikings for the 2024 season and provided them with a depth piece on the inside.
He's looking to do the same for KC in 2025 and will get the chance to suit up against his former team twice.
This past season for the Vikings, Tillery posted 28 total tackles, three QB hits, and one TFL. Per PFF, he had a 51.6 overall grade (138th among 219 eligible defensive linemen), a 54.3 pass-rush grade (171st among 219 eligible defensive linemen), and a 51.8 run-defense grade (112th among 219 eligible defensive linemen).
That's the type of production Chargers fans are used to from Tillery. Over his three seasons with Los Angeles, Tillery never posted higher than a 50 overall grade.
Chargers fans didn't miss Tillery but will have to see him once again in 2025. Just this time, it'll be for another AFC West club.