Chiefs sign DE Jerry Tillery: reports

Tillery adds depth to the defensive line

The Chiefs on Friday continued to add pieces to the roster.

First came running back Kareem Hunt’s return, and now a transaction arrives on defense.

According to multiple reports, the Chiefs are signing defensive end Jerry Tillery to a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Tillery joins his fourth team since entering the league in 2019 out of Notre Dame as a first round pick with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers waived Tillery midway through the 2022 season and the Las Vegas Raiders claimed him off waivers. He spent the rest of the 2022 season and the following 2023 season with the Raiders before signing a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings last year.

Tillery, who turns 29 in October, has appeared in 96 career games with 50 starts, totaling 175 tackles (89 solo), 12.5 sacks, 45 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles.

The signing represents a low-risk move when considering the nature of a one-year deal. But the transaction also addresses the defensive line, which lost Tershawn Wharton during free agency. Charles Omenihu, Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel are currently unrestricted free agents.

The Chiefs could still choose to add defensive linemen through the upcoming NFL Draft.