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DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 05: Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball while being chased by Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 05, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

After winning multiple Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, Derrick Nnadi is happy to be back with the team.

Following a brief stint with the New York Jets, Nnadi was traded back to the Chiefs and is currently a starter, according to the team’s initial depth chart shared by KSHB-41’s Nick Jacobs on X on Aug. 29.

Nnadi and All-Pro teammate Chris Jones are listed as the starting defensive tackles, with Omarr Norman-Lott and Jerry Tillery in the No. 2 slots.

Derrick Nnadi Breaks Down the Trade, Time with Jets

Nnadi signed with the Jets in free agency this offseason but was traded, along with a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick, back to the Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 2027 sixth-round pick.

The 6-foot-1, 317-pounder has only one complaint.

“Honestly, it was a little bit of a surprise. I was getting my body right for the next day of work, and then the GM called me and was like, ‘Hey, just wanted to let you know we’re trading you back to KC,’ and I’m like, ‘Okay, that’s cool.’ The only part I was really a little annoyed about was like, I gotta move again,” Nnadi said before practice earlier this week. “There’s stuff over there at my old place that is still in boxes, so I’m like, ‘At least it will be a lot easier to just put it in the truck and go.’ But otherwise, I was fine with the decision.”

GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes the field prior to Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Nnadi later reflected on his decision to initially join the Jets at the start of free agency.

“Yeah, I felt a little hurt because this was the team that drafted me but at the end of the day, they gave me the opportunity of a lifetime coming out of college, so I wasn’t mad or upset or anything.” said Nnadi, “It’s part of the business, so when the Jets offered me the opportunity I was like ‘By all means’. How this business works, I am right back where I started. So, it kind of works out the right way sometimes.”

Derrick Nnadi has Been Part of Multiple Super Bowls

The Chiefs selected Nnadi in the third-round of the 2018 NFL draft. He played college football at Florida State, where he was third-team All-ACC. He has won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs (LIV, LVII, LVIII).

He closed out the 2024 regular season with 11 total tackles across 17 games, including one start, and recorded a sack in the postseason. Throughout out his career, he’s recorded 233 tackles, 5 sacks, two pass deflections, a forced and an interception.

The interception came in 2019 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football. Nnadi picked off Philip Rivers in the 24-17 win.

The Chiefs look to bounce back from a Super Bowl loss as they open the season at home against the Chargers on Friday, Sept. 5. The game will air on YouTube with kickoff at 8 p.m. EDT.

Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering the NFL, NBA, legal affairs, and entertainment. He’s covered the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories since 2019. More about Drake Bentley

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