Why new Chiefs safety Mike Edwards picked Kansas City as his free-agency destination

The Chiefs were in the free-agent market, seeking to fill the hole left by safety Juan Thornhill’s departure, when general manager Brett Veach back-channeled through a former coach.

Matt House had coached the Chiefs’ linebackers from 2019-21 until joining LSU’s staff. Before coming to the NFL, House had also been the defensive coordinator at Kentucky, where safety Mike Edwards started all four seasons.

Edwards had spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was part of the defense that shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. So he wasn’t unfamiliar to Veach.

But House provided the confirmation.

“We talked to Matt, and even though (the Chiefs) don’t run exactly what Matt did at Kentucky, there’s a lot of carryover,” Veach said in an earlier interview.

The Chiefs signed Edwards to a one-year deal worth $3 million, He’s a ball-hawking defensive back who in 58 career games, including 23 starts, has totaled seven interceptions, plus two more picks in the playoffs. He’s returned three for touchdowns.

No one else on the Chiefs’ current roster has more than one pick-six.

Edwards’ Super Bowl highlight was deflecting a Patrick Mahomes pass that resulted in an interception.

Edwards labeled himself a third safety in his first few seasons with the Bucs before recording his busiest year in 2022. He started 12 games last season and finished third on the team with 82 tackles. He also recorded a sack.

The attraction for Edwards in Kansas City? A staff that includes defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and position coach Dave Merritt — and, of course, the opportunity to play for a Super Bowl favorite that’s coming off a championship.

“Andy Reid, Spags, Coach Merritt — overall, a great defensive system and staff,” Edwards said. “And a good winning program ...You can see why they win all the time. They just do it the right way.”

Edwards was an early training camp participant along with the Chiefs’ quarterbacks and rookies because he suffered a hamstring injury during organized team activities and wanted to get in some additional work before camp begins in earnest this weekend. He called himself “100%.”

Veteran Justin Reid is back to start at safety for the Chiefs, and Bryan Cook, who like Edwards is from Cincinnati, logged 32% of the defensive snaps last season. Plus, the Chiefs drafted safety Chamarri Conner from Virginia Tech in the fourth round.

Edwards mostly lined up at free safety in Tampa Bay, but he also played in the box. Put him anywhere, he said.

“Safety, dime, nickle, wherever they need me. Fit me in,” Edwards said.