Former KC Chiefs Safety Mike Edwards Signs With Buffalo Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs' defense was perhaps the NFL's best this past season, largely due to boasting an elite secondary. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt led a fantastic group all year long, although one member of that group won't be in Kansas City next season. Safety Mike Edwards is moving on to an AFC rival.
Edwards is signing a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, per a social media announcement from the team.
Edwards leaves the Chiefs after one season filled with plenty of highlights and even a Super Bowl ring. The former third-round pick appeared in every game for Kansas City in 2023-24, recording 51 tackles in the regular season with five passes broken up, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a sack. During the playoffs, he had another 12 tackles and an interception while playing 190 snaps on the back end of the defense.
The signing of Edwards wound up being a critical value get by general manager Brett Veach. Once Bryan Cook went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 13, Edwards was thrust into the starting lineup as a replacement. He played at least 97% of available defensive snaps in three of his next five games, peaking with an 11-tackle outing in a Week 14 loss to the Bills. Now, he ends up with that very franchise.
Shortly after signing with Buffalo, Edwards took to X to thank the Chiefs and their fans for his year with the team.
Thank you for everything Chiefs Kingdom! Brought me in with no hesitation and made family! Will always have a special place with me. Love forever! ❤️💛💍
Even as Edwards departs, Kansas City is in good hands at the safety position. Cook is tracking to return for his third season, and he'll join Justin Reid in the starting lineup. Behind them, 2023 fourth-round pick Chamarri Conner is poised for a sizable role as a sophomore and veteran Deon Bush is back on another one-year deal. Joshua Brisco of Arrowhead Report recently expanded on the Bush re-signing.
Rounding things out is Nazeeh Johnson, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL but should be back in some sort of hybrid defensive back role moving forward. Despite losing Edwards, the Chiefs clearly have requisite depth. The emergence of Conner, as well as the returns of others, should insulate the position room moving forward. Edwards exits Kansas City a champion once again, having justified his one-year deal and then some in the process.
