The Kansas City Chiefs are working diligently to give themselves some spending money for free agency, which is just a couple of weeks away.
They already restructured quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract, which freed up nearly $44 million. The team also released veteran defensive end Mike Danna, giving them another $9 million to work with.
More cuts could be on the way as the Chiefs look to retool their roster. It has been heavily speculated that linebacker Drue Tranquill could be among them, as Kansas City could save nearly $6 million by releasing him. However, the folks over at Pro Football Focus reminded everybody that Tranquill is still a very valuable player.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Drue Tranquill Among Highest-Graded LBs of 2025
PFF revealed their highest-graded linebackers of the 2025 season, and Tranquill landed at No. 14 with an overall grade of 76.2. Here is his analysis, via Mason Cameron:
“Tranquill has been a steady and stable presence at the heart of the Chiefs’ defense for the past three seasons. 2025 marked a career year for Tranquill, who posted new high marks as a run defender, with his 89.4 PFF grade ranking sixth among qualifying linebackers. He also recorded the lowest missed tackle percentage (3.6%) among linebackers with at least 100 tackle attempts.”
Last season Tranquill posted 103 total tackles, two sacks, five quarterback pressures, one forced fumble, and one pass defended in 17 starts. It could be tough for Kansas City to part ways with that type of production, especially with the many other roster holes they need to fill. Tranquill wasn’t the only Chiefs linebacker to make PFF’s list.
Nick Bolton Also Makes PFF’s Highest-Graded LBs List
Bolton was ranked even higher than Tranquill, coming in at No. 9 with a 78.9 overall grade. Here is Bolton’s breakdown:
“After the Chiefs awarded him a lucrative extension last offseason, Bolton responded by churning out the best season of his young career. Although he started slow, Bolton rose to the upper echelon of NFL defenders in the back half of the year, with his 91.1 PFF overall grade from Week 9 through the end of the season standing as the highest mark by any linebacker.”
Bolton recorded 154 total tackles, one sack, 11 quarterback pressures, one forced fumble, six passes defended, and one interception in 17 starts. His tackle total was his highest in three years. Bolton is firmly entrenched as Kansas City’s starting middle linebacker after signing a three-year, $45 million contract extension last offseason. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has often referred to Bolton as the “Patrick Mahomes” of the Chiefs’ defense.
The Chiefs may lose their strongside starting linebacker Leo Chenal, who is set to become a free agent. If they do, that would be another reason to keep Tranquill around, who has one year left on his current deal. Kansas City spent a fifth-round pick on Jeffrey Bassa in last year’s draft, and he could step into Chenal’s role if he leaves. Other depth guys the Chiefs have at linebacker include veterans Jack Cochrane and Cole Christiansen, as well as second-year man Cooper McDonald.
