Chiefs extend qualifying offers to a pair of RFAs

Chiefs have right of first refusal

The Chiefs addressed two restricted free agents before the start of the NFL’s new calendar year.

First, the Chiefs extended a qualifying offer to linebacker Jack Cochrane, a source familiar with the situation told KC Sports Network.

The Chiefs then did the same for cornerback Nazeeh Johnson, according to the NFL’s transaction report.

The tenders allow both players to potentially entertain offers from another team. But the Chiefs have the right of first refusal, meaning the Chiefs could elect to match the offer or let the player go.

Kansas City used a seventh-round pick on Johnson in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was waived after training camp during his rookie campaign before signing with the Chiefs’ practice squad.

Johnson eventually joined the active roster and appeared in 11 games but missed the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL during training camp. He returned in 2024 and appeared in 16 games with six starts in 2024, totaling 56 tackles, three passes defensed and a sack.

Cochrane originally joined the Chiefs in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota. He’s provided depth to the linebacker position group over the past three seasons, while becoming one of the team’s top special teams contributors.

The Chiefs elected to not extend qualifying restricted free-agent tenders to tight end Peyton Hendershot, cornerback Keith Taylor and kicker Spencer Shrader, making the trio unrestricted free agents.

Editor’s note: The previously published piece had defensive end Malik Herring listed as a restricted free agent not tendered. Herring signed a one-year deal before the league’s new year, according to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick.