Report: Chiefs to re-sign four exclusive rights free agents

The following pending exclusive rights free agents received minimum wage contracts from the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday: defensive

and linebackers Cole Christiansen and Jack Cochrane.

When an active-roster contract expires before a player reaches three seasons of service time (the threshold that would entitle them to

restricted free agency), the player becomes an exclusive rights free agent. A team can sign them to a contract with a minimum pay for one

negotiating with other teams if they tender a contract offer.

For each of these players, we assume the tendered amount is $985,000, the 2024 minimum salary for players with two accrued seasons.

The salaries are non-guaranteed, meaning there are no dead-money considerations if the players do not make the squad.

Johnson was selected by Kansas City in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft (259th overall). A few weeks after being promoted from

the practice squad, he signed a new contract with the Chiefs after being waived out of training camp. Due to the nullification of his original

four-year rookie deal, Johnson is currently eligible for exclusive rights free agency.

Throughout his rookie campaign, Johnson established himself as a vital component of the Chiefs’ special teams groups. In all three of

Kansas City’s 2022 postseason games—including their victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII—he accounted for more

than 50% of the team’s special teams snaps. Regrettably, he lost his second season

due to an ACL injury sustained during training camp.

Caliendo, a Western Michigan native, signed with the Chiefs in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He joined Kansas City’s practice squad in

2023 after serving as a backup during his first season there. As the Chiefs dealt with injuries to their offensive line, he eventually became

an active player on game days. Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of veteran backup interior lineman Nick Allegretti with the

Chiefs, Caliendo may be needed to cover injuries during the upcoming campaign.

Former Army football player Christiansen signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. He

was promoted from the practice squad by the Chiefs to serve as an injury replacement during the playoffs. In their triumph over the San

Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, he participated in 70% of the team’s special teams snaps.

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