The Kansas City Chiefs struggled on special teams last season, but they've resigned one of their core special teamers.
The Kansas City Chiefs have shuffled a lot of players on defense, but this weekend they retained one of their own by re-signing linebacker Jack Cochrane, who’s also been a core special-teams player. The signing was reported by multiple outlets, with articles written by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk and Connor Byrne of ProFootball Rumors.com, with terms unannounced.
Byrne provide more details about Cochrane’s background and productivity to date. He joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota in 2022, and he’s earned two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. Cochrane did miss the playoffs in 2024, however, due to an ankle injury.
Defensively, Cochrane is basically a depth piece, with just 62 tackles in 64 games during his four-year career. Cochrane did pick up the first interception of his career last year despite the fact that he played in just 61 snaps in 17 games.
On special teams, though, Cochrane has played in the majors of the Chiefs’ special-teams snaps, with his seasonal percentage ranging from 65-81 percent. He’s led the team in special teams snaps twice, including last year, according to Byrne. Kansas City struggled on special teams this season, with key penalties hurting the Chiefs in the field-position game.
The Chiefs do need him as a depth piece this year given the amount of changes they’re making on defense, and Cochrane gives them continuity at linebacker. Kansas City recently lost Leo Chenal to the Washington Commanders in free agency, so Cochrane may get a chance to compete for more defensive snaps.
Key linebacker Nick Bolton will be returning, as will Drue Tranquill, although Tranquill took a significant pay cut to stay with the Chiefs. Kansas City could add another depth player at linebacker, and the Chiefs are also expected to make a significant add with an edge rusher given the recent comments of GM Brett Veach that identified the pass rush as a key area that needs improvement.
The shuffling behind the linebackers is ongoing. The Chiefs have basically overhauled their entire secondary, trading slot corner Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for draft capital while allowing cornerback Jaylen Watson and safety Bryan Cook to leave as well.
This unit will look very different going forward given Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz-happy tendencies, and it will be interesting to see if the defensive coordinator has the linebackers playing a different role this season given how much the offensive approach is also being revamped.