Tag: laurent duvernay tardif

Former Chiefs G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s CFL rights traded to Montreal Alouettes

Former #Chiefs G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s CFL rights were traded, giving him the option to play in Canada this season & have M.D. on his jersey. | from @EdEastonJr

The legacy of former Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif stretches well beyond his playing days on the NFL gridiron. He will forever be known for his decision to pause his career in favor of his work in the medical field in the fight against COVID-19 in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec.

The Super Bowl champion announced a few months ago his intentions to temporarily walk away from the NFL to further his medical work and residency in Montreal. The Canadian Football League rights to Duvernay-Tardif, who was selected in the third round (19th overall) of that league’s 2014 draft by the Calgary Stampeders, were traded to his hometown team, the Montreal Alouettes on Friday. The deal was made to honor Duvernay-Tardif in Canada with the opportunity to in Montreal, according to Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia in Friday’s press release.

“We are happy to have proceeded with this transaction,” said Maciocia. “Laurent is a football icon in Montreal and Quebec. We can only be winners in this transaction because even if Laurent never wears an Alouettes uniform, he will be able to openly support his hometown team without feeling any remorse.”

Duvernay-Tardif chose the NFL in 2014 when he was drafted by the Chiefs and hadn’t expressed interest in a possible switch to the CFL. The Alouettes offer an extra incentive to the former guard to honor his professional medical title on the back of his jersey.

“We wish him the best success with his football career moving forward, and are satisfied knowing that if he does play in Canada, he will do so in a city and a stadium that he knows very well,” said Maciocia, “He would also finally be able to wear the letters M.D. on the back of his jersey like he has been wanting to do.”

The odds of Duvernay-Tardif choosing the CFL in a return to football don’t seem promising, but anything is possible. The gesture of his hometown team to acquire him expresses his importance to the country and the sport.

[listicle id=132330]

Former Chiefs TE Daniel Brown reunites with Jets after release

The #Chiefs traded with the #Jets to acquire Daniel Brown and ultimately released him. Now he’s back with the #Jets on their practice squad. | from @TheJohnDillon

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

When the Kansas City Chiefs traded veteran guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif for tight end Daniel Brown, the move reeked of financial trickery. Brown is a seventh-year player with limited offensive experience but showed a lot of upside as a special teamer with the New York Jets in recent seasons.

He never played a single snap for Kansas City and was effectively useless to the team beyond his utility in creating cap space after they traded for defensive lineman Melvin Ingram at the deadline. Fans were wary of the mid-season swap for Brown, as Duvernay-Tardif was a well-loved member of the Super Bowl championship team in 2019, and a league icon for his title as a medical doctor.

But Duvernay-Tardif was unlikely to fit into the Chiefs’ plans either and wanted to see playing time somewhere else if he couldn’t find the field in Kansas City. After opting out of the 2020 season to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in his native Canada, In April he re-structured the five-year $41.2 million contract he signed in 2017, which enabled the team to shop him when his spot on the roster became unnecessary.

Brett Veach and the front office went all-in on rebuilding the offensive line in the offseason, and Duvernay-Tardif was one of the players on the outside looking in when Kansas City signed Joe Thuney and drafted Trey Smith. There simply weren’t snaps for him to see any action when the line came together after the preseason, and Duvernay-Tardif ended up voiding the no-trade clause on his contract to enable the Chiefs to move him to the Jets.

Kansas City officially waived Brown on the 20th of November, effectively completing their mission to provide themselves cap relief after the flurry of trades they made at the deadline. With Brown’s new contract in New York on the books, the Jets have regained their lost asset and added a valuable lineman who is sure to be a fan-favorite for Gang Green to close out their season.

[listicle id=111458]

Former Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to make his first start with Jets

Former #Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is expected to make his first start with the #Jets in Week 11 according to a report. | from @EdEastonJr

In an effort to shake things up at the trade deadline this year, the Kansas City Chiefs dealt away the off-field hero Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the New York Jets. In the exchange, Kansas City got much-needed salary-cap relief and recently-waived tight end Daniel Brown. The Jets now find themselves looking to the veteran guard’s experience to fortify their offensive line.

Duvernay-Tardif was reported early Sunday morning as the starter at right guard in New York’s Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins. According to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, Duvernay-Tardif will be replacing Greg Van Roten, who has started all 10 games this season at right guard for the Jets.

This will be Duvernay-Tardif’s first NFL start since the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV win over the San Francisco 49ers. The entire reason Kansas City traded Duvernay-Tardif was so that he could earn the opportunity to start and play, something they couldn’t guarantee him if he remained with the Chiefs. This will be Duvernay-Tardif’s 58th career start providing plenty of veteran experience on a struggling New York offensive line.

The Canadian native made headlines for opting out of the 2020 NFL season to help combat the COVID-19 spread in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec, working in a long-term care facility for a year. Armed with a medical doctorate, Duvernay-Tardif was praised and honored for his contributions and has continued to advocate the importance of vaccination and proper precautions to combat the deadly virus.

[listicle id=110754]

Chiefs HC Andy Reid wishes Laurent Duvernay-Tardif well following trade with Jets

#Chiefs HC Andy Reid had some parting words on Laurent Duvernay-Tardif after his trade to the #Jets | from @TheJohnDillon

An eventful trade deadline for the Kansas City Chiefs saw the team trade for an elite edge rusher in Melvin Ingram, but they also traded away on one of their most vested veterans. Pro Bowl guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was sent to the Jets for depth tight end Daniel Brown, a move that came as a surprise to many fans when the news broke.

Andy Reid commented on how the trade went down at his Thursday press conference before practice, noting that it was an amicable departure and that he enjoyed coaching Duvernay-Tardif since the Chiefs drafted him in 2014.

“Brett (Veach) talked to him and they had a good conversation—the agent and with Larry,” Reid explained. “Then, I had a chance to talk to him just before it went down. I’ll keep that between us, but I think it’s great that he has an opportunity to play right now. Whether he does it for a year or 10 more years, he has an opportunity to play. That couldn’t be promised right here at this time. So, if he decides to go be a doctor after this year, he’s going to have an opportunity to play, and he can take that with him. So, I think it’s great. We appreciated having him here, absolutely.”

Duvernay-Tardif hadn’t played a single snap for Kansas City through eight weeks of 2021, and his move freed up some much-needed cap space in the wake of their trade for Ingram earlier in the day. He had served a key role on the Chiefs’ championship team in 2019, but he found his role at right guard usurped by rookie Trey Smith after opting out of last season to fight COVID-19 in his native country of Canada.

Reid spoke about his role both on the team and in the wider NFL zeitgeist as the only player-doctor in the league, and he made it clear that Duvernay-Tardif’s ability to do it all was uniquely special.

“I think it’s awesome,” Reid said of the guard’s versitility on and off the field. “It just doesn’t happen very often in this league. It has happened, but not very often. For him to have the opportunity to do his studies in the offseason I thought was important for him. You knew he was going to continue to work out and be diligent with that, but you can name on maybe two hands how many guys have played in this league and become doctors afterwards.”

His affection for Duvernay-Tardif was palpable in his comments, and it seems all parties stood to benefit from a parting of ways, tough as it may have been. The move has now completely cemented the Chiefs’ line, at least for the time being. The veteran guard will have the opportunity to play meaningful snaps in New York that he wouldn’t have gotten in Kansas City.

As difficult as it is to see one of the most beloved players in the organization traded for minimal return, the Chiefs are now loaded for bear and ready to make the most of the rest of their schedule.

[listicle id=108524]

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif thanks Chiefs Kingdom after trade to Jets

Former #Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif thanked the organization and fans in a touching farewell post on social media following his trade to the #Jets.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has a new home after being traded to the New York Jets ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

The Canadian offensive lineman spent his entire NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, developing into the player he is today over the past seven seasons. Shortly after the news was announced Duvernay-Tardif posted to social media, thanking the Kansas City Chiefs organization, fans and explaining his decision to pursue an opportunity with a new team.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to the Kansas City Chiefs organization. They made my dream come true by drafting me in 2014. Thanks to Coach Reid who believed in me and supported me throughout my whole career to pursue both medical school and pro football, my two passions. Winning the Super Bowl in 2020 with this team will forever be one of my proudest moments.

To the Chiefs fans, thank you for your support through all these years. You embraced me with open arms and made a French-Canadian feel right at home in the middle of the Midwest. My memories in Kansas City could not have been possible without you. 

To the fans in Canada, thank you for your continued support. Je suis tres recconaissant pour votre appui depuis less drnieres annees et je vous en remercie grandement.

Saying goodbye to KC is not an easy decision. When I opted out last year, I promised myself to do everything in my power to come back to the field. Joining the Jets gives me the best opportunity to play.”

Duvernay-Tardif will be missed for his leadership, humility and selflessness. He might have not been starting, but you can rest assured he had the respect and appreciation of everyone in the Kansas City locker room, even with many new faces on the offensive line this season.

As he mentioned in his note, this is the best opportunity for him to have a shot at playing. After opting out of the 2020 NFL season to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the veteran has no reason not to bet on himself and prove that he can still start and play in this league. Rest assured that Chiefs fans will be rooting for him to succeed every step of the way.

[listicle id=108229]

Chiefs trade RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to Jets in exchange for TE Daniel Brown

Another trade for the #Chiefs ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, this time the team sent Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the #Jets in exchange for TE Daniel Brown

The Kansas City Chiefs have been active at the NFL’s trade deadline.

After making a move to acquire Melvin Ingram from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team has made a player-for-player trade as well. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs are sending former starting RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the New York Jets. In return, the Jets are sending TE Daniel Brown to Kansas City.

Developing…

[listicle id=108229]

Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif active for first time since Super Bowl LIV

#Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is active on game day for the first time in 638 days, will he see some action against the #Giants on Monday night?

One of the longest-tenured Kansas City Chiefs players is getting a shot to be active for a game for the first time in 638 days.

Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was last active for the team during Super Bowl LIV on February 2, 2020. The following season, Duvernay-Tardif became the first NFL player to opt out of the 2020 NFL season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the year working in a long-term care facility outside of his hometown in Montreal, Quebec.

Returning to action for the Chiefs this season, Duvernay-Tardif suffered a hand injury during training camp that kept him out of action during the preseason. Rookie Trey Smith ultimately earned the starting role at the right guard position, where Duvernay-Tardif played for the entirety of his career in Kansas City.

Since the regular season started, Duvernay-Tardif has been a healthy scratch in seven consecutive games. He’s been with the organization for seven seasons, appearing in 60 games and starting in 57. Week 8 against the New York Giants will be Duvernay-Tardif’s first time active since that Super Bowl win back in 2020, but will he get a chance to play in the game?

Duvernay-Tardif’s name came up in trade talks back in August, so perhaps he gets some snaps during the game, even if only as an extra blocker. This could serve as an exhibition to show teams that he can still play even after his time away from the game. No matter what comes of Duvernay-Tardif being active on Monday night, it has to be exciting for him to suit up and get out there on the field with his teammates for a game again. It has been a long-time coming for the good doctor.

[listicle id=108086]

Chiefs GM Brett Veach expects Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to return to practice soon

It sounds like the #Chiefs could have Laurent Duvernay-Tardif back ahead of Week 1 with Austin Blythe soon to follow.

When the Kansas City Chiefs kept 10 offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, there was an expectation that it wouldn’t be that way for long.

Both Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Austin Blythe were out for the majority of the preseason. Blythe played in preseason Week 1, but soon after had surgery to repair a sports hernia. Duvernay-Tardif didn’t play in any preseason games after breaking a bone in his hand during training camp.

With both players dealing with injuries, many thought one or both would be moved to the injured reserve (IR) list after 53-man roster cuts. Players can now return from IR after three weeks, so placing players on the list isn’t as restrictive as it once was. The team has yet to make any transactions involving Duvernay-Tardif and Blythe, however.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach spoke to the media on Wednesday, explaining that he expects that at least one of the two players will practice in some capacity this upcoming week.

“Yeah I think these guys are going to be good for Week 1,” Veach told reporters of LDT and Blythe on Wednesday. “This short-term IR is at least three weeks. . . I would anticipate both these guys getting out there and practicing this week. Maybe not much so Blythe, but I think Blythe may be only a week away. I think LDT will get out there and do some stuff this week and test that hand. I think both these guys should be shorter than the three weeks so it would make sense to just practice and see how they feel and get with Rick (Burkholder) and get with the coaches, see how they feel and make a decision based on that.”

Both players will get out to practice and have a chance to test their injuries before any decisions are made regarding the injured reserve list. The fact that they haven’t yet been placed on the list is a positive sign, but things can quickly change. Were either Duvernay-Tardif or Blythe to miss time, Veach feels confident that the rest of their depth will be capable of weathering the storm.

“I think the benefit of having 10 is we have some flexibility,” Veach explained. “So we have guys that can line up and play center like (Nick) Allegretti and Mike (Remmers) who can do both, (Andrew) Wylie can do guard. So, we have some flexibility in regard to our active game-day roster.”

[listicle id=97445]

Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has come up in trade talks

#Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has been the subject of trade talks, but one thing seems to be holding up negotiations.

The Kansas City Chiefs have gone from a disaster in offensive line depth in Super Bowl LV to having a surplus of players at the position ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

With roster cuts underway, teams have begun to call Brett Veach about Kansas City’s excess offensive linemen. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Chiefs have received calls on Super Bowl LIV-winning right guard, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

Just as we anticipated back at the beginning of August, Duvernay-Tardif is catching the eye of evaluators who want a starting-caliber offensive lineman. There is, of course, a hold-up preventing any trade from happening right now.

Here’s what Breer had to say about trade interest and the current hold up:

“Everyone’s seemingly looking for offensive line depth, and the Chiefs (the same Chiefs team that’s line collapsed in the Super Bowl) have become a place for teams to look for that help, which is a tribute to the job Kansas City did rebuilding the position. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (who was doing things more important than football last year) has come up in talks, but he’s got a no-trade clause, making it more likely he’ll be on Kansas City’s roster.”

The good doctor opted out of the 2020 NFL season to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, spending the entire year off the field. He’s also been absent this preseason after breaking a bone in his hand during training camp. Those two issues don’t seem to be problems for teams looking to trade for Duvernay-Tardif.

The issue stems from a contract restructure that was a result of Duvernay-Tardif’s 2020 opt-out. As a part of his restructuring, Duvernay-Tardif received a no-trade clause in his contract. The only way around a no-trade clause is to get the player to agree to a trade and waive it. That means Duvernay-Tardif needs to want to be traded and also approve of his trade destination.

One thing abundantly clear with Duvernay-Tardif: He won’t be the starter in Kansas City in 2021. He might not even be No. 2 on the depth chart when he returns from his hand injury. His best shot at starting this season won’t be with the Chiefs and that’s through no fault of his own. It’s clear he can still play and do so at a very high level. Right now, any trade is contingent on finding him a new home that he approves of, something that isn’t always so easy in the NFL.

As for any financial implications, trading Duvernay-Tardif would cost the Chiefs about $2 million in dead money. It would also save them about $2.75 million against the salary cap.

As Breer indicates, the most likely scenario is that Duvernay-Tardif remains in Kansas City. But as roster cuts continue and teams get more desperate for offensive line help, it’s possible that the veteran could be swayed into a move from his NFL home of the last seven seasons.

[listicle id=97475]

Report: Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif expected to miss preseason with broken hand

#Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has been absent from practice with a hand injury and a new report says it’ll keep him out for 4-6 weeks.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Kansas City Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has been absent from training camp for the past four practices.

The Chiefs officially declared Duvernay-Tardif’s injury a hand injury but never revealed how severe the injury actually was. He’s been spotted wearing a cast on his hand since. We now have an idea of the type of injury he’s dealing with.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Duvernay-Tardif suffered a broken bone in his hand. It’s an injury that is expected to keep him out of action for 4-6 weeks. The injury will keep him out of all three games for the Chiefs this preseason, which isn’t exactly the most encouraging news for the good doctor.

While Rapoport claims he won’t need surgery and that he’ll have a chance to play in Week 1, Duvernay-Tardif is listed as the No. 2 right guard on the team’s first unofficial depth chart behind rookie Trey Smith. The competition at the position had been going the way of Smith even before this injury. Now, it’s going to be very tough for Duvernay-Tardif to win that job.

The former Super Bowl LIV starter is not a starter in Kansas City anymore. He was out to prove that he could still play this preseason after opting out to work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It’s hard to prove that you can still play when you’re sidelined with an injury. Should he return to action for Week 1, it’ll likely be in a depth capacity. It’s possible and even probable that he starts the season on injured reserve for the Chiefs.

[listicle id=96150]