The Drue Tranquill-Chiefs Partnership Is off to a Terrific Start
Heading into the 2023 NFL offseason, linebacker wasn't viewed as a primary or even secondary need for the Kansas City Chiefs. After all, general manager Brett Veach had invested capital in Leo Chenal, Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. in each of the team's past three draft cycles. This year, though, Veach and company opted for a free agent pickup instead of another player selected in the first three rounds for linebackers coach Brendan Daly.
Enter, Drue Tranquill. The 27-year-old Notre Dame product has grown quite familiar with the Chiefs over the years, as his four-year stint with the Los Angeles Chargers gave him plenty of firsthand looks at the most successful team in football during that span. Now coming halfway across the country to join a former bitter rival, Tranquill is excited to display his versatility in a new environment under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Following Kansas City's training camp practice on Monday, Spagnuolo spoke glowingly about his new linebacker's ability to do multiple things on the field at a high level.
“Yeah, it’s nice to have guys like that, that can do more than one thing," Spagnuolo said. "He’s played – right now he’s playing, he’s played all three base linebacker positions, and then he’s been in the sub-package when he’s been in with Nick (Bolton), plus he’s been in there with the MIKE with one of the other linebackers. That helps us a lot – listen it’s all new to him as far as the verbiage and the system so it tells you that he’s pretty intelligent if he’s playing in that many spots this early.”
Tranquill's well-rounded game is projected to play well with the Chiefs, and it should complement the skill sets of Gay and Bolton terrifically. Bolton, more of a downhill "thumper" of a linebacker, is at his best when he can attack with aggression and not be put in disadvantageous positions in coverage. Gay, a tremendous athlete but an inconsistent player, is a heat-seeking missile and free roams with some of the best in the league. Tranquill, a heady player with quality coverage chops but also a sound ability to tackle in run support, bridges that gap. On Monday, he praised his fellow linebackers as he tries to fully pick up the new system.
“Well, man, it’s an honor to be here and playing for Coach Spags and the defending champs," Tranquill said. "We just have so many great guys in that room that I’m trying to learn from each and every day. It’s certainly different from the defense I played in in LA, but football is football. You pick up on things as you go throughout your career and certainly, there are things throughout my time at Notre Dame and throughout my time in the league that I have picked up on that have helped me translate and learn this defense, it’s a process nonetheless."
Inked to a one-year deal worth $3 million (containing some additional incentives as well), Tranquill signed a contract that contradicted his recent proficiency as a player. Coming off a career year that saw him post 146 tackles (10 for loss) with five sacks, four passes broken up, an interception and a forced fumble, many expected him to command a larger salary. When factoring in his career-best 76.7 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus as well, it becomes even more of a surprise that he didn't cash out with another franchise.
Luckily for the Chiefs, Tranquill chose them after having double-digit clubs interested in him throughout free agency and having five or six ones to choose from on the final day before he signed with Kansas City. Citing the ability to maximize his skills as a Chief, as well as the conversations he had with coaches like Spagnuolo, Tranquill explained how happy he was to make that final decision on the team he felt was the best for him. Now, his focus is on winning games and becoming a champion for the first time of his career.
"As a competitor, your ideal dream is to be a world champion," Tranquill said. "A lot of these guys in this locker room have done that. I'm excited to join up with them, learn from them and be a part of this championship culture. As Coach Reid says, 'Anybody can do it one time, but going back-to-back sets you apart.' That's what we're after. We've got to keep the chip on our shoulder this year, because everybody is obviously going to be out to get us."
