The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed new DE/OLB Carlos Dunlap to training camp practice for the first time on Thursday.
Entering his 13th NFL season, the 33-year-old Dunlap was patient with his approach to the offseason this year. He’s done things “12 different ways” as he said and sought to take a new approach to free agency. He wanted to ensure that he was making the right choice in the twilight of his career.
“Yes, there were a couple of other teams (interested),” Dunlap told reporters after practice. “Ever since camp started, things heated up. But I liked what I heard from the Chiefs, which is why I came out here to meet with them in person to see how I fit, see how they’d use me, see how I’d contribute and if it was a fit.”
Dunlap gave the indication that he was a fit in Kansas City, providing reporters with a resounding, “I’m here.”
Why did Dunlap choose to sign with the Chiefs over those other teams, though? He believes they offer him a realistic chance at three very specific goals that he wants to accomplish this season.
“I wanted to make sure that I made an educated decision and went with a team where there was mutual interest,” Dunlap said. “My ability to play and how I’ll be used and the opportunity to win. Because at this point, I’ve done a lot of football, but (three) of the things I haven’t done is I haven’t gotten over 100 (career) sacks, I haven’t won a playoff game and I haven’t won a Super Bowl.”
Dunlap has averaged around eight sacks per season during the course of his NFL career. He needs just four more sacks to achieve his goal of reaching 100 career sacks. He can become the 40th player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks since they became an official stat in 1982.
As for his playoff aspirations, the Chiefs have made the playoffs every year since 2015. They have won at least one playoff game every year since 2018. They’ve also appeared in two of the last three Super Bowls.
“Those are things that I would like to do at this point in my career,” Dunlap continued. “I’m in hot pursuit and I feel like this team gives me a great opportunity — the best opportunity — to do it.”
Ultimately, Dunlap felt this decision was one that made sense mutually. He feels that his talent can help Kansas City achieve its goals during the upcoming season. In the process, he believes that he will have the best shot of achieving his own personal career accolades.
“It’s a great opportunity with a great organization,” Dunlap said. “What they have done the last few years, playing against them on the other side of the ball, I wanted to add my specialties to it.”
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