Chiefs Reporter Hints at Next KC Signing: ‘Doesn’t Feel Like They’re Done’

The Kansas City Chiefs still have potential holes to fill via trade or signing ahead of training camp, and A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman drew attention to one of them on June 25.

“Today, we’re looking at defensive tackle and interior defensive line, a position group that still has some questions that need answering,” Goldman began, while discussing this area of the KC roster.

“The Chiefs recently released former Cleveland Browns draft pick Siaki Ika from the 90-man offseason roster after he hadn’t quite made the progress they’d hoped since joining the system as a practice squad member a season ago,” the Kansas City reporter explained. He then listed the remaining Chiefs players at interior defensive line.

They are superstar Chris Jones, veteran nose tackle Mike Pennel, free agent signing Jerry Tillery, rookie draft pick Omarr Norman-Lott, second-year UDFA Fabien Lovett Sr., Philadelphia Eagles cast-off Marlon Tuipulotu and undrafted rookie Coziah Izzard. Not to mention a few defensive ends that can shift inside on pass-rushing downs.

Goldman is more concerned about the lack of run defenders in this group, however, given that long-time nose tackle Derrick Nnadi is no longer with the team.

“I can’t help but wonder if this team won’t look to add some more beef to their interior defensive line come training camp or even during 53-man roster cuts,” he noted. “It feels like they’ve been looking for a long-term solution at nose tackle, knowing that Pennel, at 34 years old, is one of the oldest players on the roster. They drafted Keondre Coburn in 2023, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out as they’d hoped. They traded for Neil Farrell Jr. before the 2023 NFL season, which also didn’t work.”

Goldman finally concluded that “it doesn’t feel like they’re done adding to this spot.”

Can Fabien Lovett Sr. Adequately Fill Backup Nose Tackle Role for Chiefs at Training Camp?

Part of the reason the Chiefs have yet to sign another veteran nose tackle to pair with Pennel could be that they want to see what they have in Lovett and Tuipulotu.

Lovett, in particular, is an intriguing talent that Kansas City really liked last summer. Although he ended up spending his rookie campaign on the practice squad, the former undrafted prospect feels like a candidate who could win a 53-man role during training camp.

“There’s some thought that Lovett could take a step forward in his second season as a professional,” Goldman stated within his article. He added that “Pennel even said that Lovett reminds him a bit of himself as a young player.”

Pro Football Reference lists Lovett at 6-foot-3 and 316 pounds, so he has enough size to play the role — especially if he put on any extra mass this offseason.

The question is if he’s ready for this type of responsibility, having never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.

Which Nose Tackles Are Still Available for Chiefs to Sign?

The group of available free-agent defensive tackles is not that big. Narrow it down to DTs who can play nose tackle, and there are even fewer capable options.

Having said that, Over the Cap does still highlight some that are on the open market.

36-year-old Linval Joseph would be one candidate. The former two-time Pro Bowler suited up in all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, so he might still have something left in the tank despite his age.

Long-time Baltimore Ravens contributor Brent Urban would be another similarly experienced target at age 34.

If those two are deemed too old, younger but less accomplished options include Raekwon Davis, Austin Johnson, Montravius Adams, Taven Bryan, Maurice Hurst and Kyle Peko, among others.