Sergio Estrada-Imagn images

Chiefs Urged To Sign 3-Time Pro Bowler As Final Puzzle Piece

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 11, 2025 10:25 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to atone for their Super Bowl loss in 2025, and during the offseason, the franchise has worked to fix several roster holes.

Most of which they've done, but you can always add more talent, and for a team expected to again go deep in the playoffs, the more players who can contribute, the better.

With the offense seemingly set and the defense in good order under Steve Spagnuolo, any move now is about consolidating any position.

And for Pro Football Focus, edge is a position of need, and there's one player the publication has in mind.

"The Chiefs have been content to stay the course regarding their pass rush, but finding an upgrade on the edge would be a prudent move," Pro Football Focus writes. "Mike Danna isn’t cutting it, having posted sub-60.0 PFF pass-rush grades in four of his five seasons as a pro.

"Inserting a proven veteran option on the edge, such as Za'Darius Smith, would boost the unit. Across his past three seasons, Smith has generated a 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade, placing him in the 93rd percentile."

Smith is an interesting option. Last season, despite being 32 years old, he was still productive with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

A combined 9.0 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss, Smith was a disruptor on the edge.

With the Chiefs having Danna, George Karlaftis, and Charles Omenihu, adding another veteran and one who is still very productive in Smith could be a nice addition to Spagnuolo's pass-rushing stocks.

Because if there's one thing "Spags" loves, it's to send the house, and adding another Pro Bowl pass rusher for cheap might just be the shrewdest move of the offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: