The Kansas City Chiefs had an active first week of free agency.
Here's everything to get you caught up on what happened this week with plenty of exclusive content you can't find anywhere else.
PRESS RELEASES
"We are excited we were able to reach a deal with Tyvon and bring him to Kansas City," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "He is a physical player who we feel can help our defense. We're looking forward to having him."
Maclin (6-0, 198) has played in 75 games (73 starts) in five NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2009-14). His career numbers include 343 receptions for 4,771 yards (13.9 avg.) with 36 touchdowns. Maclin's most productive season came in 2014 as he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after tallying 85 catches for 1,318 yards (15.5 avg.) with 10 touchdowns.
"On behalf of my family and the entire Chiefs organization, I'd like to thank Dwayne for his contributions over the last eight seasons," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "During his time with the Chiefs, Dwayne established himself as one of the best receivers in club history. We wish Dwayne nothing but the best as he moves forward."
"This was a tough decision to make," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "Dwayne is a team-first guy and he holds a number of team receiving records. We felt this was in the best interest of the club at this time."
"It's been a pleasure working with Dwayne the past two seasons," Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said. "He showed up every day with a great attitude and did everything we asked of him. He was a productive player for a number of years here and I have a lot of respect for what he was able to accomplish."
"Paul is a good football player that we feel can add value to our offensive line group," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "He has familiarity with Coach Reid's system and expectations. We are looking forward to working with him."
Chiefs Acquire Offensive Lineman via Trade with Saints
"We acquired a very good football player via trade with the New Orleans Saints today," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "Ben is a talented veteran that has played a key role on a number of productive NFL offenses. He's smart, physical, and we believe he will be a good addition to our offensive line."
Avant (6-0, 210) has played in 132 games (52 starts) in nine NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2014), Carolina Panthers (2014) and Philadelphia Eagles (2006-13). His career numbers include 331 receptions for 3,999 yards (12.1 avg.) with 13 touchdowns.
Gordon (6-4, 265) has played in 34 games (five starts) in four NFL seasons with the Chiefs (2013, 2014), Tennessee Titans (2014), Pittsburgh Steelers (2013) and Oakland Raiders (2011-12). He owns four receptions for 14 yards with one touchdown.
McCray (6-1, 205) has played in 31 games in three NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2014), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013) and Miami Dolphins (2012-13). His career numbers include 10 tackles (five solo), one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.
ARTICLES
The Kansas City Chiefs signed seven-year NFL veteran safety Tyvon Branch on Monday.
The former Oakland Raider, who has played in 75 career games with 67 starts, all with the Raiders, can't wait to play on the right side of Arrowhead Stadium this fall.
"I think on the national anthem when they say, 'Home of the Chiefs!' I think I'm going to go a little crazy when I hear that," Branch said
Standing at an intimidating 6-foot-5 and 327 pounds, offensive lineman Paul Fanaika, one of the newest Kansas City Chiefs, is surprisingly soft-spoken.
When you ask him something, his answers are simple, but they are very much to the point. For example, when questioned about why he liked Kansas City as a landing spot for the 2015 season, Fanaika plainly pointed at the Chiefs' rich history.
The last time new Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin stood at a podium as a member of a football team located in the state of Missouri, he was much younger, and the news he needed to share moved him to tears.
"This decision hasn't been easy for me," the 20-year-old said as he tried to keep his composure. "I've seen a lot, I've battled through a lot with these guys on the team.
"I don't regret it. [Missouri has] been the best experience of my life so far. I'm saying it right now—I'm entering the 2009 draft."
The connection has been there since head coach Andy Reid left the Philadelphia Eagles for Kansas City in 2013, but the circumstances were never exactly right.
That changed for Jeremy Maclin this offseason.
"In the back of my mind it was either I was going stay in Philadelphia or come to Kansas City," Maclin said as he spoke to the media for the first time in his introductory press conference. "Both of those situations made sense and Kansas City made more sense."
233 miles is all that separates Kirkwood High School (Mo) from Arrowhead Stadium.
Kirkwood, a suburb of St. Louis, Mo., has produced several NFL players and even actor Scott Bakula, but the alum that had his name in the headlines on Wednesday was the Kansas City Chiefs' newest receiver, former Philadelphia Eagle Jeremy Maclin.
For Maclin, the decision to come back to the Midwest wasn't just about the proximity to family and his roots, but because of the faces he'd see every day at work as well.
Everything came together nicely for Kansas City Chiefs pro and college personnel analyst Brett Veach two years ago.
After spending the two previous seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles Southeast region college scout (2011-12), Veach was given an opportunity to reunite with Andy Reid in Kansas City.
Veach, who had worked as a summer intern with the Eagles after his playing career at the University of Delaware had ended, developed a love for scouting and the personnel side of football operations while working under Reid in Philadelphia.
VIDEOS
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos of the Chiefs guard Ben Grubbs
Photos of the Chiefs offensive lineman Paul Fanaika
Photos from Jeremy Maclin's time at the University of Missouri
Kansas City Chiefs new WR Jeremy Maclin checking out his new locker
Jeremy Maclin at the podium with John Dorsey and Andy Reid for his welcoming press conference.
Photos from the career of Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin
The Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of safety, Tyvon Branch
