NFL's 2025 free agency class is littered with former Chiefs players, including some who could soon reunite with Kansas City

2024 was a year of free agent reunions for the Kansas City Chiefs, with former players like WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Kareem Hunt reuniting with the team. The 2025 NFL free agency class is littered with former Chiefs players, from high draft picks to former trade acquisitions to undrafted free agents. It begs the question: […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor

Feb 24, 2025 10:00 AM EST

Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) celebrates after catching a 10-yard touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half at SoFi Stadium. — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

2024 was a year of free agent reunions for the Kansas City Chiefs, with former players like WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Kareem Hunt reuniting with the team.

The 2025 NFL free agency class is littered with former Chiefs players, from high draft picks to former trade acquisitions to undrafted free agents. It begs the question: Could Brett Veach seek to bring these former players back to Kansas City?

Here's a look at over a dozen former Chiefs players slated to hit free agency in March and my thoughts on their chances to return to the team.

WR Demarcus Robinson (Last Team: Rams)

I'd wager this is one of the likelier reunions for Kansas City. They might need to find cheaper solutions in free agency, with DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown slated to hit the market. After Super Bowl LIX, the team suddenly finds themselves with a wide receiver corps of Xavier Worthy, Nikko Remigio, Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross, Tyquan Thornton, and Jason Brownlee. At the same time, they wait for Rashee Rice's return from injury (and potential suspension). Robinson, who came into the league with Mahomes, is coming off a career year with 31 catches for 505 receiving yards and seven touchdown grabs.

LB Willie Gay Jr. (Last Team: Saints)

One of the names brought up most frequently this offseason with a potential need at linebacker. I'll play devil's advocate here and say Gay Jr. is less likely than some of the other names on the list because he doesn't fit the "Nick Bolton replacement" typecasting. He didn't get much time with the green dot in Kansas City, so he wouldn't be a 1-to-1 replacement option. Now, he'd make sense if the plan was to move Drue Tranquill to MIKE linebacker. He also played in just 15 games for New Orleans this season due to hand and shoulder injuries.

CB Charvarius Ward (Last Team: 49ers)

Mooney is coming off a down season in San Francisco, which can be explained by an awful family tragedy that briefly caused him to step away from football. He started just 12 games with his lowest number of passes defended in a season since 2020. On the flip side, he is still 28 years old and really in the prime of his NFL career. He'll be looking for a change of scenery, and given the other needs this team currently has, I'm not sure if a return to Kansas City is in the cards.

CB Kendall Fuller (Last Team: Dolphins)

Fuller is one of the few players on this list who can sign before early March because the Dolphins released him. The 30-year-old played with K.C. in 2018 and 2019, which means he's been in both Bob Sutton and Steve Spagnuolo's system. That hybrid nickel/safety role could look nice at this juncture of his career, but it might be redundant with young players like Chamarri Conner and Chris Roland-Wallace in the fold.

DT Jarran Reed (Last Team: Seahawks)

While he only spent the 2021 NFL season in Kansas City, Reed could wind up back with the Chiefs. They quietly have needs on the interior defensive line, with Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi, and Mike Pennel slated for free agency. The 32-year-old defensive tackle has been solidly consistent in Seattle over the past two seasons, with 99 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four passes batted, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

DE Emmanuel Ogbah (Last Team: Dolphins)

If the Chiefs lose Charles Omenihu to the 2025 free agent market, bringing back a player like Ogbah would make sense for Kansas City. He, of course, played with the Chiefs in Spags' first year, the 2019 NFL season. The 31-year-old started 16 games for Miami in 2024, recording 49 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, two passes batted, one forced fumble, and even an interception.

CB Tremon Smith (Last Team: Broncos)

You can never count out a special teams ace landing back in Kansas City under Dave Toub. Smith led Denver in special teams snaps in 2024 and had the second-most special teams snaps in 2023 behind Justin Strnad. Smith returned six kicks for 170 yards with the Broncos last season, and he also was a key depth player on defense.

S Juan Thornhill (Last Team: Browns)

Thornhill is expected to join the free agency ranks this morning after spending two seasons with the Browns. He's missed a dozen games in his two years away from Kansas City, but he still managed over 100 total tackles and three passes defensed on a bad Cleveland team. There's no denying some appeal to a reunion here, as he provides some range on the back end of the secondary that the team hasn't been able to recapture since his departure in 2022.