KANSAS CITY — There’s a quiet electricity in familiar places. For defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, circling back to the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just a transaction; it’s a rediscovery of identity, history, and unfinished stories.
On Sunday, the Chiefs reacquired Nnadi from the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2027 and a conditional seventh-rounder sent to the Jets.
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That brief journey to Gotham City never truly settled, but today, it feels more like the final chapter of a story he started almost a decade ago.
A Quantified Return
Nnadi, drafted 75th overall in 2018 from Florida State, had spent the first seven seasons of his pro career in Kansas City. Across 115 games, including 87 starts, he recorded 233 tackles, five sacks, and one memorable interception in a Monday night win against the Chargers in 2019.
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Durable and dependable, he missed just two games before 2025 and was a regular playoff presence, starting 12 of 18 postseason outings.
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Yet last year, his role diminished: one start, a backup rotation player, and still revered, but no longer integral to Kansas City’s interior push.
Jets Lender, Chiefs Borrower
In March, the Jets signed Nnadi, viewing him as a veteran since the free-agency period was intentionally stocked with players under 30 and bargain contracts. The aim? Steady, no-fuss contributors are not long-term franchise cornerstones.
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But the depth moves in football are fast-moving. Two recent Jets trades bringing in Harrison Phillips (starting 1-tech tackle) and Jowon Briggs reshaped the DT room quickly. Nnadi, despite his Super Bowl pedigree, became the odd man out.
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He logged just 66 defensive snaps in the preseason and made five tackles, not enough to outshine the new arrivals.
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Why Kansas City Circles Back
Going into the 2025 season, the Chiefs had to have more established and solid players in the middle. The threat of losing Nnadi was present, and realizing this, the team did what it could to bring him back before he could end up at a place they least expected.
Although he is not scheduled in the starting lineup yet, his presence would be a much-needed rotation depth to Kansas City, especially with Chris Jones reigning in the line.
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It is essentially a story about loyalty, familiarity, and trust: he is intimately familiar with the scheme, the culture, and the expectation.
Table: Derrick Nnadi’s Career Snapshot
Category |
Statistic |
NFL Seasons |
7 (with Chiefs) |
Games Played/Started |
115 / 87 |
Tackles |
233 |
Sacks |
5.0 |
Super Bowl Rings |
3 (LIV, LVII, LVIII) |
Jets 2025 Performance |
66 snaps, 5 tackles |
The Emotional Undertone
For Chiefs fans, Nnadi’s return feels like a warm conversation picked up mid-sentence. He’s one of the few holdovers from Kansas City’s run of Super Bowl glory rooted in continuity that matters more when the game speeds up.
According to reports, this isn’t just another midoffseason move; it’s a reunion that preserves team DNA.
Looking Ahead: What Could Come Next
Nnadi returns to a Chiefs team that remains Super Bowl hungry but leaner than years past. By moving Skyy Moore prior to his return, Kansas City had already carved out roster real estate, signaling that they value his potential contribution.
