Dallas Cowboys

Chiefs sign ex-Cowboys LB Wilson to two-year deal

Published Mar. 14, 2019 5:09 p.m. ET

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed linebacker Damien Wilson to a two-year, $5.6 million contract as they continue to overhaul a defense that was among the worst in the NFL last season.

Wilson was a fourth-round pick of the Cowboys in the 2015 draft. He made 22 starts and appeared in 64 games over the past four seasons, making 98 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks.

The Chiefs envision him as their SAM linebacker in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's new 4-3 system. He will be reunited with linebacker Anthony Hitchens, whom the Chiefs signed away from the Cowboys during free agency last season.

Also Thursday, Tyrann Mathieu has been introduced at the Kansas City Chiefs' practice facility after signing a three-year, $42 million contract to take over in their rebuilt secondary.

The deal became official one day after the Chiefs released longtime safety Eric Berry.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Mathieu was the team's highest-rated safety in free agency because of his versatility. The Chiefs plan to use him in the box, on the blitz and in coverage.

Mathieu arrived in a private plane. Later, he planned to join former LSU coach Les Miles at Sprint Center for the Big 12 Tournament. Miles is now the football coach at Kansas, and the Jayhawks face Texas in the quarterfinals Thursday night.