Former Chargers Star Surprised LA Let Him Join Division Rival
Even though the Los Angeles Chargers were able to have quite the successful offseason despite not having a ton of cap space nor a great pick in the first round of the draft, one of the bigger shocks to fans was when it was announced that big time LB Drue Tranquill would be stepping away from the team.
To make matters worse, he agreed to a one-year contract worth just $3 million with the Chargers' biggest rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. Fresh off of their second Super Bowl title in four year, KC looks to remain at the top of the AFC West.
However, LA made it clear that they were not looking to retain Tranquill on a huge deal and this contract he signed with the Chiefs is 'prove-it' move that will allow him to showcase why he deserves more money. The Bolts opted to welcome LB Eric Kendricks on a 4-year, $5 million deal instead.
But it's looking like the 27-year-old believed that he was going to continue his career in powder blue and went as far to admit that people within the franchise had expressed faith that he would be given the extension he desired.
“I was a little surprised the Chargers didn’t want to bring me back,” said Tranquill. "There were people in the building that really wanted me back — and there were a few people who wanted to move on. Business is business, but when you give four years so hard to an organization — and it doesn’t feel reciprocated — that’s hard. We had three kids out in LA. We were hoping to stay out there. And it didn’t pan out."
(Via BettingSports.com)
And just like like any other NFL franchise, the Chargers have to make some tough decisions if they want to build a championship roster and Tranquill did not make the cut.
We wish him the best of luck moving forward but those games against KC this season will be ultra-important to win.
