Drue Tranquill says what needs to be said about what new S Alohi Gilman brings to the Kansas City Chiefs defense

Nobody on the Kansas City Chiefs knows better about what the team is getting in Alohi Gilman than Drue Tranquill. He’ll bring a level of leadership and magnetism that should help rally a young secondary in 2026.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor

Jun 3, 2026 10:45 AM EDT

No one knows better about what the Kansas City Chiefs are getting in new safety Alohi Gilman than LB Drue Tranquill.

These two players have shared the gridiron during their collegiate and NFL careers. Together, they’ve helped shape the character and identity of many successful defenses. Their reunion in Kansas City in 2026 is simply the next part in the chapter.

Tranquill was actually in Brett Veach’s ear about Gilman well before the 2026 NFL offseason. He tried to get Veach to sign him in 2024, when Gilman first became a free agent. After Tranquill’s three-year contract extension, he was asked about his recruiting pitch for free agents to come to Kansas City.

“I’d tell them to see red and think Super Bowls and it’s a pretty good pitch,” Tranquill said, referencing the text he received from Andy Reid in 2023. “In all honesty, I’d think to — this is very, very recent — but I texted Brett Veach like, ‘Alohi Gilman.’ Man if the Chargers don’t bring him back, he’s a stud. He’s been a teammate of mine since Notre Dame.” 

Alohi Gilman’s magnetism and leadership are exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs need in 2026

Tranquill is a big believer that the Chiefs have incredible leadership from the top to the bottom of the organization. They’ve also got strong player leadership, which will only improve the defense with the addition of Gilman this offseason.

“Yeah, I mean, Lo and I have a special relationship, obviously dating back to Notre Dame,” Tranquill explained. “And he’s one of those guys that, out of a lot of guys I’ve played with, he’s up there in terms of guys I have respect for. If you just look at kind of his journey to how he got here, specifically transferring from Navy to Notre Dame, and the transfer portal wasn’t what it was now back then, and he had to sit out that year, and after sitting out the year, was still voted team captain in his second year at Notre Dame, having never played a snap on the field. I think it just speaks to his leadership.”

Gilman signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal with $15M fully guaranteed during the 2026 NFL offseason. He gives Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive secondary a veteran with the sort of magnetism to rally the entire defense. Not only through his own play-making ability, but through his football IQ and the leadership he brings to the table.

“He’s kind of like a magnet, in that guys kind of draw to him,” Tranquill said. “I don’t know what it is about him. I think he’s got a swagger to himself in the way he plays, but he’s also super intelligent and is kind of a leader of men. So, I’ve always respected that about Lo.”

Gilman is also a natural teacher. It’s something that will come in handy with plenty of young pieces in the secondary. Guys like Nohl Williams, Mansoor Delane, and Jadon Canady will get to know that very well.

“And he taught me how to surf when I was out with the Chargers,” Tranquill joked. “So, you know he’s a Hawaii guy, but he brings a lot of energy, and he’s going to be a great, great piece for our defense.”