Chiefs announce Nazeeh Johnson, Mike Caliendo signings
The two players are expected to have elevated roles this upcoming season.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs announced two procedural roster moves via their official X account.
The organisation has officially signed defensive back Nazeeh Johnson and offensive lineman Mike Caliendo, who were “exclusive rights free agents” entering the summer. They tendered both players last month.
Players become exclusive rights free agents by having an active-roster contract expire before accruing three seasons of service time (a mark that would see them qualify for restricted free agency). A team can retain their services by offering them a one-year, minimum salary contract. If tendered a contract offer, exclusive rights free agents may not negotiate with other teams.
The Chiefs selected Johnson from Marshall in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, becoming him the fifth and final member of the class’s “Fab Five” defensive backs. The 25-year-old joined the active roster in late September and has played only on special teams.
Kansas City classifies the 5-foot-10, 199-pound defensive back as a safety, but he was making headlines as a starting cornerback with L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie during last year’s training camp before hurting his ACL. Johnson’s return from injury is especially vital now that Sneed is a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Caliendo, 26, spent the 2022 season on Kansas City’s practice squad before making the roster in 2023, giving the team interior offensive line depth. Like Johnson and Sneed, Nick Allegretti’s departure to the Washington Commanders elevates Caliendo to the top inside backup position for the following season.
