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Late in the evening on Sunday, May 7, undrafted rookie cornerback Kahlef Hailassie announced that he is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. He posted the news on his Twitter account.
The significance of the signing isn’t just that he is signing with the Chiefs, but that he was originally expected to sign with the New York Jets, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on April 29. Yet, when the Jets announced on May 5 that they had 13 signed undrafted rookies, Hailassie wasn’t one of them.
Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston on April 29, New York had signed Hailassie to a contract that included $167,500 in total guarantees. But “something went wrong,” according to SB Nation’s Arrowhead Pride.
“After signing him … New York changed its mind — perhaps after a physical revealed a previously unknown injury,” the May 8 Arrowhead Pride story said. “While this is speculative, it does fit the known facts of the situation.”
Hailassie, who stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds, played at Western Kentucky. During his senior season, he registered 44 tackles, 10 passes defended, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
During his pro day, he ran a 6.68 three-cone drill and 4.19 20-yard shuttle, according to NFL Draft Buzz, which would have both ranked second overall among the prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine. Those times display some of the elite traits he possesses that could translate well to the NFL.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Talks Goals for Rookie Season
Speaking to the media at rookie minicamp, Chiefs rookie first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who went to high school in Missouri and played college football at Kansas State, talked about the full-circle moment of being drafted by Kansas City.
“Obviously if you’re a Chiefs fan, especially a Chiefs fan growing up, you always have the dream of playing for the Kansas City Chiefs,” FAU said during his press conference on May 6. “That’s every young boy’s dream is to play for the Kansas City Chiefs. So, other than that, I’m happy to be and I’m honored to be able to fulfill the dream that a lot of people around Kansas City, Missouri, have a dream of.”
Anudike-Uzomah also discussed his goals for his rookie season in the NFL.
“Obviously, to start off now, I just want to learn the playbook and I just want to be present and learn from the guys that already won a Super Bowl,” he said. “And if I have the opportunity to play or (to) start, anything like that, I’ll be gladly appreciative. But as of right now, I want to work on learning the playbook and work on getting tips from the older guys.”
Chiefs 2023 Free Agency Tracker
Here is a list of the players the Chiefs have signed during free agency thus far (excluding undrafted rookies), along with their contracts, according to Over The Cap:
- OT Jawaan Taylor (4 years, $80 million)
- DE Charles Omenihu (2 years, $20 million)
- S Mike Edwards (1 year, $3 million)
- LB Drue Tranquill (1 year, $5 million)
- DT Tershawn Wharton (1 year, $2 million)
- OL Nick Allegretti (1 year, $2.5 million)
- OL Prince Tea Wanogho (tendered)
- TE Jody Fortson (tendered)
- QB Shane Buechele (tendered)
- DT Derrick Nnadi (1 year, $1.2 million)
- TE Blake Bell (1 year, $1.1 million)
- DT Byron Cowart (1 year, $1.08 million)
- DT Phil Hoskins (1 year, $940,000)
- S Deon Bush (1 year, $1.3 million)
- WR Richie James (1 year, $1.2 million)
- WR Justin Watson (2 years, $3.5 million)
- QB Blaine Gabbert (1-year, $1.1 million)
- RB Jerick McKinnon (1-year, $1.16 million)
- OT Donovan Smith (1-year deal)
Here are the former Chiefs players that remain free agents:
- DE Frank Clark
- DE Carlos Dunlap
- DT Brandon Williams
- LB Darius Harris