NFL Rumors: Landon Collins To The Chiefs? Giants Will Not Franchise Tag Safety

Another major NFL offseason domino fell on Tuesday. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the New York Giants would not apply the franchise tag to free agent safety Landon Collins, leaving the three-time Pro Bowler free to seek another home in free agency.

Collins seemingly confirmed the news on his Twitter account.

“I want to thank the Giants organization for believing in me and allowing me to have 4 great years in NY,” Collins said on the social media site. “I can’t express how great it was to play with my teammates and in one of the greatest cities in the world.”

One team to watch over the coming weeks will be the Kansas City Chiefs. After losing the AFC Championship Game at home due to a porous defense, the Chiefs are looking to rebuild on that side of the ball.

“NFL Total Access” on NFL Network even listed the Chiefs as perhaps the best fit for the 25-year-old defensive back.

Kansas City replaced defensive coordinator Bob Sutton with Steve Spagnuolo, who ran the Giants’ defense from 2015 to 2017. Collins had his two best seasons under Spagnuolo, including a 2016 campaign in which he recorded four sacks and five interceptions, both career-highs.

That said, Collins failed to record a single interception last year. Questions about his pass coverage ability led to the Giants’ decision not to tag him, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

Collins would fill an immediate need for the Chiefs. He could either be a quality downfield partner or replacement for Eric Berry, who has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries. Berry should theoretically be back next season, but either way, Collins would be an upgrade to one of the league’s worst secondaries in 2018.

The biggest barrier to this might be the salary cap. The Chiefs are not expected to have that much cap room to work with this offseason, but could get more by making moves involving Dee Ford and Justin Houston.