Kansas City Chiefs Sign ERFAs DB Nazeeh Johnson, OL Mike Caliendo

Defensive back Nazeeh Johnson and offensive lineman Mike Caliendo are two versatile

exclusive rights free agents who the Kansas City Chiefs are signing back.

Mike Caliendo, an offensive lineman, and defensive back Nazeeh Johnson, an offensive back.

Johnson was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Marshall,

and he played special teams in 11 regular-season games and all three of the Chiefs’

postseason games, including Super Bowl LVII.

Prior to rupturing his ACL in training camp for the 2023 season,

Johnson was getting defensive reps.

This injury kept him out of the game the entire season.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stated following Johnson’s injury that he had observed promising signs from Johnson during his second camp.

“Seeing that happen [to] Nazeeh makes me really sad,” Spagnuolo remarked.

“He was actually ascending. He was taking reps with the first group because he had earned it,

if you guys noticed. He possesses a strong set of cornerback skills. He played safety in college,

so maybe, you know, we’ll hope for his rapid recovery and return.”

With Johnson hurt, head coach Andy Reid repeated a similar sentiment.

Reid responded, “Yeah, Nazeeh was playing good football.

” He’s a good corner and a terrific player on special teams, but we have other people who

can play there as well. He has come a long way over the years.

It’s unfortunate that it took place.

He will return, and he is approaching it with a positive attitude.

Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Caliendo signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs,

where he spent the following season on the practice squad. I

n eight games in 2023,

Caliendo played for the Chiefs. He racked up 64 offensive snaps and 36 special teams snaps.

Of those offensive snaps, seven came late in the team’s rout of the Chicago Bears in Week 3,

and the remaining 57 came in Week 18, when the Chiefs rested players against

the Los Angeles Chargers.

With Trey Smith entering his last rookie season and

Joe Thuney approaching his age-32 season, Caliendo could provide the Chiefs

with young, cost-controlled depth at guard as he continues

to grow as an interior offensive lineman.

This offseason, Caliendo might have also sensed an opening as former

all-around interior lineman Nick Allegretti, who played a crucial part in replacing

Thuney for the Kansas City Chiefs in the latter stages of the season,

left for the Washington Commanders in free agency.

In Super Bowl LVIII, Allegretti tore his UCL, yet he continued to play

and helped the Chiefs win two straight titles. Now, before of the 2024 NFL Draft,