Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill had a solid 2025 campaign, performing well against the run and rushing the passer, but was a liability in coverage. Tranquill totaled 103 tackles, ten TFLs, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble across 17 games, including 17 starts, accounting for 884 snaps. He also posted 27 run stops, 13 pressures, and allowed two touchdowns and a 121.5 passer rating.
Tranquill emerged as a potential cut candidate this offseason due to his $6 million in total cash and $7 million cap charge. Ultimately, both parties agreed to a revised one-year, $3.5 million contract with $2.995 million guaranteed, despite a failed trade attempt. This reduced his base salary from $5.4 million to $2.245 million, total cash from $6 million to $3.5 million, and cap hit from $7 million to $5 million, per*Over The Cap.*
Why the Kansas City Chiefs’ trade of a 73-game starter fell through
Kansas City Chiefs, Brett Veach
Jul 22, 2025; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach walks down the hill to the fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
During an appearance on the Breaking Big Blue Podcast, Jordan Raanan of ESPN revealed that the New York Giants attempted to acquire Drue Tranquill from the Kansas City Chiefs a few weeks before free agency. However, the 30-year-old linebacker did not want to leave Kansas City and settled for the aforementioned pay cut/revised contract.
“The linebacker that the Giants actually were going to trade for, from the Kansas City Chiefs — it seemed to be before the start of free agency — Drue Tranquill,”Raanan said. “He ended up staying in Kansas City, taking a pay cut to stay. Seems to be something he wanted to do. He didn’t want to leave there.”
Also Read: New York Giants: Veteran Linebacker Trade Target Revealed
The Chiefs’ linebacker depth took a hit this offseason after losing Leo Chenal to the Washington Commanders, but they were able to re-sign Jack Cochrane.
Kansas City Chiefs, Nick Bolton
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nick Bolton
Drue Tranquill
Jack Cochrane
Jeffrey Bassa
Cole Christiansen
Cooper McDonald
Kam Arnold
Brandon George
Expect the team to add a linebacker in the upcoming draft.
“The linebacker that the Giants actually were going to trade for, from the Kansas City Chiefs — it seemed to be before the start of free agency — Drue Tranquill,”Raanan said. “He ended up staying in Kansas City, taking a pay cut to stay. Seems to be something he wanted to do. He didn’t want to leave there.”