Very hot news arrive from the Kansas City Chiefs’ dungeons as Derrick Nnadi, the 29-year-old defensive tackle who has spent nearly his entire career in the red and gold, says a tough to digest goodbye. After spending eight seasons defending the franchise’s colors and winning three Super Bowl rings in the meantime, Nnadi changes the lights of Arrowhead Stadium to join an AFC rival, the Indianapolis Colts.
This departure marks a significant transition for the Chiefs’ defense, losing a player who was a the main wall on their interior line during the most dominant dynasty in franchise history. He leaves to reinforce a division rival, so the Chiefs must be careful with what they may encounter in the future.
A successful legacy written in red and yellow
Selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Nnadi quickly became an indispensable player for the Chiefs’ trenches. His resume reads like a dream for any professional athlete. Here is what he achieved in those eight short years:
- Three Super Bowl championships: He was a key contributor to the victories in 2019 (LIV), 2022 (LVII), and 2023 (LVIII).
- Injury resistance: In over eight seasons, he missed a total of only three regular-season games.
- Playoff master: He appeared in 18 postseason games, starting 12 of them.
He is a guy with a strong presence and someone who does not feel pressure on the biggest stages at the biggest times. In Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers, Nnadi recorded four tackles, helping anchor a defense that allowed for the Chiefs’ historic comeback. He was also recognised with MVP eligibility in most games he played.
A final move that leads to Indianapolis
Nnadi’s exit is a bit more painful than many may think. In March 2025, he was about to sign with the New York Jets but was traded back to Kansas City just five months later without ever playing a snap for “Gang Green.” This time, however, seems definitive as the Indianapolis Colts have secured the veteran to bolster their defensive interior too.
According to the Indy Star, Nnadi signed for the veteran salary benefit, a deal worth $1,487,500. For the Colts, this could be a great and strategic “hidden gem” signing, because his salary is nearly $1.5 million, so he will only count as $1.075 million against the cap. He also joins a room featuring standouts DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.
The Chiefs organization honored his work for the team in a brief but poignant social media message that read: “Nice having you, @DerrickNnadi. Thanks for everything!” As he moves to the AFC South, Nnadi brings nearly 250 career tackles and a championship pedigree to a Colts team looking to challenge the Chiefs’ dominance.
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