Chiefs Sign Defensive Tackle Jerry Tillery as Free Agency Heats Up

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their defensive line on Wednesday by signing veteran defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. The move comes as teams scramble to secure new talent during the 2025 NFL free agency period.

Tillery, 28, joins the Chiefs after a year with the Minnesota Vikings, where he appeared in all 17 games, including 11 starts. Last season, he registered 17 pressures, three quarterback hits, and forced a fumble, showcasing his ability to impact games from the line. His defensive snaps ranked fourth among Vikings linemen, with most of his time spent at defensive end in Minnesota’s 3-4 scheme.

In Kansas City, Tillery is expected to transition into an interior defensive tackle role within the Chiefs’ 4-3 defense, potentially adding depth and versatility to the unit. “I’m excited to compete for a role on this team and contribute any way I can,” Tillery stated in a press release.

Tillery began his career in the AFC West, playing three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and a portion of a fourth season there before being claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. Over his time with the Chargers, he played in 54 games with 29 starts, accumulating 33 quarterback hits and 10.5 sacks. After 25 games with the Raiders during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Tillery returns to a familiar division.

A first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Tillery was selected by the Chargers with the 28th overall pick. He was regarded as the fifth-best defensive tackle by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler that year.

During his collegiate career at Notre Dame, Tillery demonstrated significant production with 135 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. His senior year was particularly notable as he recorded eight sacks, highlighting his potential at the professional level.

This addition comes at a crucial time for the Chiefs, who are preparing for the upcoming season and looking to enhance their defensive capabilities. General Manager Brett Veach has indicated that the team may continue to seek further reinforcements for the defensive line through the NFL Draft, which begins on April 24.