Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs LB using Andy Reid's pitch to attract veteran WRs

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 3/14/24

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill is using head coach Andy Reid's effective recruiting tactic to attract veteran wideouts.

Last offseason, the former Los Angeles Chargers LB was a free agent. To convince him to sign with Kansas City, Reid sent a text message that read: "See red and think Super Bowls."

The pitch worked. Tranquill joined the team, helping it capture its third championship in five years.

While we’re at it.

What’s up @Primetime_jet ?

See Red & think Super Bowls ❤️
— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) March 14, 2024

On Wednesday, Tranquill — who recently signed a three-year, $19M deal with the Chiefs — sent the same message to free-agent WRs Marquise Brown and Mike Williams on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.

Williams or Brown would be a solid option for the Chiefs. In five seasons with the Ravens and Cardinals, Brown had 313 receptions for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns. Williams, meanwhile, logged 309 receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Chargers.

The main concern with Williams — who L.A. released on Wednesday — is his injury history. Last season, the 29-year-old suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 3 against the Vikings. In 2022, he fractured his back in the team's regular-season finale against the Broncos.

However, the former first-round pick has talent and could be worth the risk for the Chiefs.

Spotrac estimates Kansas City has $16.25M in cap room, so signing Brown and Williams could be tricky. Still, the Chiefs should find a way to land both WRs.

The team must upgrade its receiving corps after it led the league in drops (44) last season.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes — a two-time league MVP — needs more dependable targets. In 16 games last season, he threw 27 touchdowns, the second-lowest mark of his career.