Tag: Anthony Hitchens

The NFL’s best remaining free agents, from Odell Beckham Jr. on down

NFL free agents can still make a difference, even this close to the regular season. Here are the best players still on the open market, for whatever reason.

On Thursday, September 8, the NFL’s 2022 regular season officially begins when the Los Angeles Rams host the Buffalo Bills. Teams have already been busy between wrapping up their training camps, prepping for Week 1, and both waiving and claiming players based on the league’s mandated roster cuts last Tuesday.

There is one more aspect of team-building that every franchise will pay some level of attention to at this point: Are there available free agents who can help our team for the right price? There are still valuable free agents on the open market. Some are recovering from injuries, or bad seasons, or they’ve already fielded multiple offers, and they’re either weighing the best opportunity, or just waiting for training camp to end so they don’t have to deal with that.

Here are our best remaining free agents with one calendar week left to go before the regular season; don’t be surprised if the majority of these guys get snapped up somewhere before the Rams and Bills kick things off.

The NFL’s best remaining free agents

NFL free agents can still make a difference, even this close to the regular season. Here are the best players still on the open market, for whatever reason.

One week from today, the NFL’s 2022 regular season officially begins when the Los Angeles Rams host the Buffalo Bills. Teams have already been busy between wrapping up their training camps, prepping for Week 1, and both waiving and claiming players based on the league’s mandated roster cuts last Tuesday.

There is one more aspect of team-building that every franchise will pay some level of attention to at this point: Are there available free agents who can help our team for the right price? There are still valuable free agents on the open market. Some are recovering from injuries, or bad seasons, or they’ve already fielded multiple offers, and they’re either weighing the best opportunity, or just waiting for training camp to end so they don’t have to deal with that.

Here are our best remaining free agents with one calendar week left to go before the regular season; don’t be surprised if the majority of these guys get snapped up somewhere before the Rams and Bills kick things off.

Former Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens working out for Saints

The #Saints have taken a liking to former #Chiefs defenders this offseason and are working out another one on Thursday per report.

The New Orleans Saints added a pair of former Kansas City Chiefs defenders this offseason, could a third be in the works?

The Saints signed both Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen to reinforce their safety position this offseason. Now, they’re working out a player who started 59 games for the Chiefs over the past for seasons. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Anthony Hitchens is in New Orleans working out for the Saints.

Hitchens, 30, was the Chiefs’ first cost-cutting move of the 2022 NFL offseason. The veteran linebacker was released after spending four seasons with the team, mostly as the team’s starting MIKE linebacker. He was entering the final year of a five-year, $45 million deal signed back in 2018. The contract made him expendable, especially alongside the emergence of Nick Bolton in 2021.

Hitchens finished his career in Kansas City as a Super Bowl LIV champion, with 381 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and four passes defended. He took a visit with the Chicago Bears earlier this offseason, but the market for his services has been pretty quiet.

Now, he’ll have a chance to rejoin some former teammates in New Orleans should his workout with the team go well. He’ll have some competition as they’re also working out veteran LBs Kiko Alonso and Jon Bostic.

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The 10 best NFL free agents still available this preseason, from Odell Beckham Jr. to J.C. Tretter

There are a bunch of solid veterans left for some lucky teams to scoop up.

This time of year, with training camps around the NFL in full swing, most rosters are more or less set in stone.

Sure, there might be the occasional camp controversy, positional battle to sort through, or warranted holdout (or “hold-in”). But, for the most part, teams know what kind of shape they’ll enter the 2022 season in.

Now, that said, no one has a perfect roster. In fact, many squads might still have a glaring hole or two that they can fill with a capable veteran. (Ask the Buccaneers and Julio Jones.) The initial wave and frenzy of this year’s NFL free agency is worlds, er, months away now. But plenty of good and capable players remain on the market, especially if any squad wants to fill in the gaps and start this fall on a better foot.

Here are the 10 best free agents still available as the NFL moves toward the 2022 preseason:

‘It’s our time’: Chiefs LB Nick Bolton talks about young defenders stepping up as leaders

#Chiefs LB Nick Bolton shared his thoughts on young players stepping up as leaders heading into the new season. | from @EdEastonJr

The offseason changes for the Kansas City Chiefs defense have included a number of departures of veteran players. The roster is populated by many promising rookies and second-year players looking to make a name for themselves, especially on defense.

Chiefs’ second-year LB Nick Bolton opened eyes around the league with his impressive play. He played meaningful snaps in place of former Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens when he was injured and hasn’t looked back. Without the usual veterans at the position in 2022, Bolton addressed the growth in himself and his young teammates as leaders during Thursday’s OTAs press conference.

“Yes, I feel like it’s our time, our young guys, not just me,” Bolton told reporters. “Willie (Gay), Justin Reid, Juan (Thornhill), young guys on the D-Line. It’s our time to step up and lead as a group. Nobody will replace Hitch (Anthony Hitchens), Tyrann Mathieu, those guys are special guys. There is a reason why they wore Cs. It’s up to us to come in as a group and get guys in the best position possible to play.”

Bolton was an impact player at the outside linebacker position during his rookie season, starting 14 games (incl. playoffs), and finishing the year with 112 tackles, three passes defended, one fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown. The 22-year-old linebacker is looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role on the gridiron, wearing the green dot while playing the MIKE linebacker position.

“I definitely have to get back in shape,” Bolton said of his new role. “It’s way different at the MIKE position, you’re going to be on the play more times than you would be at the WILL position. I want to be in condition where I can go sideline-to-sideline, get in better shape. I liked where I was weight-wise last season, so I’m just going to continue to get in better shape as we go along.”

Another solid season as a full-time starter for Bolton could change the outlook of the Chiefs’ defense. The emergence of several new leaders, including Bolton, could be key to their goals for the 2022 NFL season.

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Report: LB Anthony Hitchens met with Bears this week

The Bears hosted LB Anthony Hitchens, who has experience playing under HC Matt Eberflus.

The Chicago Bears are looking at adding a veteran linebacker for Matt Eberflus’ defense.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears hosted former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens for a visit on Thursday.

This is the first free agent visit for Hitchens this offseason, and it makes sense considering his ties to both general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus.

Hitchens played under Eberflus for four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 2014-17. Hitchens then signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Chiefs, which is where the Poles connection comes into play.

Hitchens joined the Chiefs in 2018, where he went on to have a career year with 135 tackles. Last year, Hitchens had 80 tackles and an interception in 15 games. He was key in their Super Bowl LIV run just a few years ago.

The Bears have a need at linebacker alongside star Roquan Smith. With the transition to a 4-3 defense, that leaves two vacant starting jobs alongside Smith.

Chicago signed Nicholas Morrow earlier in free agency, and he figures to assume one of those starting roles. If Hitchens signs with the Bears, he’ll have a knowledge of the defense Eberflus runs.

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Former Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens visited Bears

Former #Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens took a visit with the #Bears this week per report. Hitchens is quite familiar with Chicago’s new head coach.

Former Kansas City Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens has taken his first known visit in free agency.

According to Chicago Tribune beat writer Brad Biggs, the Chicago Bears hosted Hitchens on a visit on Thursday. Hitchens was released by the Chiefs back in February after spending four seasons in Kansas City. This marks his first visit since his release and the interest seems palpable.

Prior to his arrival with the Chiefs back in 2018, Hitchens was playing for new Bears HC Matt Eberflus, who was the linebackers coach for the Cowboys throughout Hitchens’ four seasons in Dallas. Eberflus coached him to one of his best years as a professional in 2017, which helped Hitchens earn the big five-year, $45 million deal in Kansas City. Then, of course, there’s the connection to new Bears GM Ryan Poles, who was in Kansas City for each of Hitchens’ four seasons with the team.

Outside of Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow, Chicago has a need to get better at the linebacker position. Hitchens could provide them with someone who could reinforce that depth across the board. Since Hitchens was released from his contract in K.C., if he signs with the Bears in free agency, he wouldn’t count toward the compensatory pick formula.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach previously left the door open for a potential return down the line for Hitchens should he not receive a better offer in free agency. It seems that Kansas City has already moved on with the additions they’ve made to the linebacker corps, adding Jermaine Carter Jr. and Elijah Lee in free agency.

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Former Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens interested in returning to Cowboys

Recently released #Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens “has a desire” to return to the #Cowboys according to a new report.

A former member of the Kansas City Chiefs could potentially return to the team that drafted him.

According to Dallas Morning News beat writer Calvin Watkins, former Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens “has a desire” to return to the Dallas Cowboys after spending his last four seasons in Kansas City. Hitchens also spent four seasons with the Cowboys from 2014-2017 after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

Dallas has a need at the linebacker position heading into free agency with Leighton Vander Esch scheduled to become a free agent and after they moved on Jaylon Smith last season. Hitchens could be a low-cost stop-gap for the Cowboys and he wouldn’t count toward the compensatory pick formula for them either.

The Chiefs, of course, released Hitchens in late February. The emergence of both Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. gave them the confidence to move on from the veteran and his expensive contract. Speaking to the media at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Brett Veach didn’t close the door on Hitchens returning to Kansas City on a much cheaper deal. But that seems like something that would happen only if Hitchens couldn’t find a better deal out there in free agency.

A team like Dallas makes a lot of sense for a player like Hitchens and is one potential landing spot for him. Several other teams could emerge as we inch closer to the start of free agency and things start to heat up across the league.

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Chiefs GM Brett Veach leaves door open for LB Anthony Hitchens’ return to Kansas City

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach praised recently released LB Anthony Hitchens and didn’t rule out his possible return to Kansas City. | from @EdEastonJr

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The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2022 offseason with many issues to address. The constant evaluation of the roster by general manager Brett Veach is an essential factor in the team’s long-term effectiveness.

One of those moves made recently was the team’s decision to part ways with veteran linebacker Anthony Hitchens. The Chiefs waived one of their most valued defensive leaders after four seasons in Kansas City. He played a significant part in the unit’s evolution over the years and was crucial in the team’s shift from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defensive front in 2019.

During his podium press conference at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Veach took no pride in having to release Hitchens in favor of salary cap savings. In fact, he praised Hitchens for being a consummate professional during his time with the team.

“Yeah. You have a lot of positives in this job, and you get to do a lot of great things,” Veach told reporters on Tuesday. “But going through something like that is really difficult. It’s even more difficult when you talk about the caliber of person Anthony Hitchens is. I’ve told him many a time that when you look up the textbook definition of what a pro means, it’s Anthony Hitchens. He does everything the right way.”

Hitchens finished the 2021 season with 80 tackles and one interception in 15 games played. In June, he turns 30 years old, but Veach expects he’ll continue to be a reliable and valuable player in the league.

“First-in, last-out type of guy. Smart leader. Really cares about the profession,” Veach continued. “And I’m sure he’ll play a few more years in this league, he’s a valuable addition to any locker room. And we talked about this in our last conversation, strange things happen and maybe he ends up back in K.C. It was a difficult decision, but I can’t say enough about him and his family, just tremendous people.”

Hitchens has been an essential part of the development of the young linebackers on the team, Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton. Even with the young players waiting in the wings, Veach didn’t rule out the possibility of Hitchens returning to Kansas City. There needs to be a particular set of circumstances for that to happen, but stranger things have happened in the NFL before.

“You know how this league works,” Veach said. “He’ll certainly go out there and I’m sure he’ll have some suitors. He brings a lot to the table, especially a young linebacking corps. I mean the work he did with Willie Gay and Nick Bolton last year – I think you can ask both those guys and they’d be the first ones to tell you that they developed into the players they were at the end of the season because of Anthony. I think that’ll be attractive to a lot of teams with some younger linebackers. If that doesn’t work out though, every team needs to fill out depth on their roster and it’s a long season. You never know, these things have a bunch of different ways they could turn out.”

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Why free-agent LB Anthony Hitchens is a name to watch for Bears

Anthony Hitchens was a surprise cap casualty by the Chiefs. But it’s good news for the Bears, where Hitchens would make a ton of sense.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a surprise move releasing linebacker Anthony Hitchens. The move creates $8.44 million in cap space for Kansas City and adds an interesting name to the free-agent market.

With the Chicago Bears transitioning to a 4-3 scheme, there’s a greater emphasis on the linebacker position than before. While Roquan Smith will continue to anchor the defense — likely as the “Will” linebacker — that leaves two starting jobs to fill at the “Mike” and “Sam” positions.

Hitchens would make a ton of sense as a free-agent acquisition for that reason alone. But there’s also some connections between Hitchens and this new Bears regime.

The most obvious is the Kansas City connection with new general manager Ryan Poles, who knows exactly what Hitchens brings to the table. But there’s also a connection between Hitchens and new head coach Matt Eberflus, who coached Hitchens with the Dallas Cowboys for four seasons. Eberflus served as linebackers coach and passing game coordinator during Hitchens’ tenure with Dallas, so the two should be well acquainted.

Hitchens joined the Chiefs in 2018, where he went on to have a career year with 135 tackles. Last year, Hitchens had 80 tackles and an interception in 15 games. He was key in their Super Bowl LIV run just a few years ago.

With Smith likely to fill that Darius Leonard role as the “Will,” the Bears need a middle linebacker, which is where Hitchens would be a great fit.

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