The Kansas City Chiefs pursuit of inside linebacker help will start with Gerald Hodges, who is visiting the Chiefs in free agency, according to a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Gerald Hodges will visit the Chiefs, per source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 9, 2017
Hodges was a 2013 fourth round pick by the Vikings but was traded to San Francisco in 2015. Hodges had the best season of his career last year with 12 starts for the 49ers. Via KNBR upon his exit from San Francisco:
Hodges, 26, is coming off his best season as a pro with the 49ers in 2016, and was expected to compete for substantial playing time if retained by the team. Hodges started 12 games last year while setting career highs with three sacks and two interceptions. Hodges was ranked as the 21st most linebacker in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
This is the type of player I expected Chiefs GM John Dorsey to be interested in, the diamond in the rough type. The Chiefs aren’t in a position to throw $15 million a year at Dont’a Hightower so they need to find the best values.
Among the Chiefs free agents this year is inside linebacker Josh Mauga, who didn’t play last season due to injury. He could be a candidate to bring back as well.