Dec 21, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) scrambles against Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) during the second half of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Grading Chiefs Signing of Alohi Gilman

Originally posted on Kansas City Chiefs on SI
By Logan Lazarczyk | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 7:00 AM ET

Monday, and really the last week, has not been good for the Kansas City Chiefs' secondary. In addition to trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, the Chiefs lost Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook within hours of the legal tampering window opening. Watson joined McDuffie in Los Angeles while Cook returned to his college state, signing a multi-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Those departures left a significant void on the back end of Kansas City's defense, but general manager Brett Veach was quick to patch up a leak by signing safety Alohi Gilman late on Monday night.

Chiefs-Gilman Contract Details

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According to Tom Pelissero, Kansas City signed the 28-year-old safety to a three-year, $24.75 million contract with $15 million fully guaranteed. That equates to $8.25 million per season, which is more than manageable for the Chiefs to handle on their books.

If Gilman is able to replicate the level of impact he had with the Baltimore Ravens last season, this could prove to be a bargain for Kansas City, especially considering how ravaged the secondary has been through the opening days of free agency.

Importance of Gilman's Addition

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Not only do the departures of McDuffie, Watson, and Cook leave a glaring hole in the secondary, but they also indicate that this will be an area of the team filled with youth and inexperience. Gilman will serve as a veteran presence, which is monumental for a group that will go through learning curves and adapting to playing with one another.

Last season, shortly after the Ravens acquired the 2020 sixth-round pick from the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore's former head coach John Harbaugh highlighted Gilman's impact on the defense.

“He’s a veteran safety," Harbaugh said of Gilman. "He was in a very similar system. He’s a proven player. He had a really good practice today. I think he’s a good fit for us right now in what we’re looking for. So, it’s a piece that we’ve kind of been looking for as we’ve went here, really, throughout the season so far. So, for that to happen is a good thing for our defense.”

Grading Chiefs-Gilman Signing

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This acquisition will not steal headlines. In fact, it may be one that people brush over when they are scrolling through social media and catching up on the latest news around the league. That is why this is an underrated move by the Chiefs, who will continue addressing the secondary through the draft, as they hold nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Gilman's versatility and ability to diagnose plays before the snap could be reminiscent of Tyrann Mathieu, who spent three seasons with Kansas City. While Gilman is not in the same tier as Mathieu, he can have a similar impact on a defense that will need guidance, especially in the secondary.