BREAKING: Chiefs Sign DE Jerry Tillery

Kansas City, MO – March 14, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs are making waves in free agency, signing defensive end Jerry Tillery to a one-year deal, per league sources. The move, reported Friday afternoon, adds a former first-round talent to a defensive line looking to rebound after a Super Bowl LIX loss and the departure of key pieces like Tershawn Wharton.

Tillery, 28, brings a 6-foot-6, 295-pound frame and untapped potential to Kansas City. A 2019 first-round pick by the Chargers out of Notre Dame, he’s bounced around—most recently with the Vikings in 2024, where he notched 28 tackles and a forced fumble in 17 games. Though his career 12.5 sacks in six seasons don’t scream elite, Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo has a knack for reviving pass rushers, and GM Brett Veach loves a reclamation project—just look at Chris Jones’ rise.

With $49.4 million in cap space freed up from Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones’ restructures (ESPN), this low-risk signing (terms undisclosed but likely in the $3-4 million range) fits Veach’s strategy. It’s a direct response to losing Wharton in free agency and trading Joe Thuney to the Bears for a 2026 fourth-rounder, signaling a shift to fortify the trenches. Fans on X are split: “Tillery’s a steal if Spags unlocks him!” one wrote, while another quipped, “Another Veach flyer—hope it’s not a bust.”

Tillery joins a D-line anchored by Jones and George Karlaftis, offering depth and a chance to prove he’s more than a draft disappointment. Chiefs Kingdom’s holding its breath—could this be the spark to get back to the Super Bowl?