The Kansas City Chiefs have lost another one of their own free agents and this one told us it was coming well in advance.
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Saints are set to sign former Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. Gay told us during the playoffs that this would likely be his last season in Kansas City. Once they re-signed LB Drue Tranquill, it became even more likely that Gay had played his last snaps with the Chiefs.
A former second-round draft pick out of Mississippi Strate in 2020, Gay has appeared in 57 career regular season games for Kansas City with 47 career starts. He’s recorded 233 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 19 passes defended, and four interceptions. One of those interceptions was a pick-six. In the postseason, Gay has started nine games, recording 18 total tackles, a half-sack, four tackles for loss, three passes defended and a forced fumble.
With Kansas City, Gay became a two-time Super Bowl champion. He appeared in Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles and Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers. He missed Super Bowl LV against the Buccaneers with an injury that caused him to be placed on IR.
Gay will be remembered as an energy-giver, and his splash plays won't be forgotten. He'll be reunited with former teammates Khalen Saunders, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Tyrann Mathieu in New Orleans with a chance to earn a starting opportunity on Dennis Allen's defense.
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