Chargers lose Tranquill to Chiefs, re-sign Parham, Scott
When the Chargers signed free-agent linebacker Eric Kendricks earlier this week to a two-year contract potentially worth as much as $13.25 million, it all but ensured that linebacker Drue Tranquill would be playing elsewhere next season. Tranquill became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.
It became official Friday, when Tranquill agreed to a one-year deal worth as much as $5 million with the Kansas City Chiefs. Tranquill was the Chargers' leading tackler this past season and became their defensive signal-caller after taking over from safety Derwin James Jr. several weeks into the year.
Tranquill, 27, confirmed his signing on social media, writing, “Hey there @ Chiefs,” accompanied by a clapping hands emoji. He also wrote in all capital letters, “Big time energy.”
The Chargers came to rely heavily on Tranquill as this past season progressed and several key defensive players were sidelined by injuries, including edge rusher Joey Bosa and cornerback J.C. Jackson. Tranquill formed a standout tandem with fellow linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr.
Now, it will be Kendricks, a former UCLA standout who spent the past eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, playing alongside Murray. Tranquill joins the rival Chiefs, the Super Bowl champions, after a superb season in which he set a career high with 146 tackles (95 solo) and also had an interception.
In addition, the Chargers also are bringing back tight end Donald Parham Jr. and punter JK Scott, the team announced. Parham gives quarterback Justin Herbert additional options next season after an injury-plagued 2022 season. Scott solidified the Chargers punting game last season.
Parham was limited to six games because of injuries, including a hamstring ailment that delayed his start to the `22 season. He caught 10 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown while serving as a backup to Gerald Everett, who is likely to be his top competition for the starting job next season.
Scott averaged a modest total of 43.6 yards per punt last season, his first with the Chargers after one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and three with the Green Bay Packers. But only 19 of his 73 punts were returned by the opposition, an indication of his excellent hang time.
The Chargers limited opponents to only 3.1 yards per punt return, best in the NFL.