The Kansas City Chiefs made an addition to their secondary on Monday with signing of veteran safety Mike Edwards.
Here are five things to know about the 26-year-old safety.
1. Edwards spent the last four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Edwards was the No. 99 overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft, making him one of the final picks of the third round. He went on to appear in 15 games (with 7 starts) during his rookie season, tallying 45 total tackles, six passes defensed and one sack.
He appeared in all 16 games the following season, and while he recorded a career-low 320 defensive snaps, he still managed to haul in two interceptions. Edwards then picked off three passes in 2021 while appearing in 14 games (with 4 starts). He earned a more significant role this past season, resulting in 12 starts.
In total, Edwards concluded his four-year career in Tampa Bay with 181 total tackles, 21 passes defensed, seven interceptions and two sacks.
2. He's a ballhawk who has at least two interceptions in each of the last three seasons.
The aforementioned interceptions – and the returns that followed – have been a staple of Edwards' game during his brief professional career. In fact, Edwards' three pick-sixes since 2020 are the most of any player in the NFL.
He tallied two of those scores in one game, as Edwards hauled in two passes from Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan and took them both all the way back for touchdowns. He then found the end zone yet again last season, picking off New Orleans Saints' quarterback Jameis Winston and returning it for a 68-yard touchdown.
3. He logged a career-high in starts last season.
Edwards started 12 games for Tampa Bay last year, marking a career best. His 876 total snaps (including the playoffs) were also a single-season high. He made the most of those snaps, too, logging 82 tackles, two interceptions and one sack.
4. Edwards was primarily a free safety for the Buccaneers.
Edwards recorded 476 of his total snaps last season as a free safety, which accounted for 54 percent of his time on the field. He's also capable of playing elsewhere, however, as Edwards tallied significant snaps in the box (237) and at slot corner (108).
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is known for often utilizing three (or even four) safeties on the field at once, so Edwards' versatility should fit nicely within the Chiefs' scheme.
5. Edwards played his college ball at the University of Kentucky.
Edwards never missed a game during his four-year career with the Wildcats, appearing in 51 contests with 44 straight starts. He recorded 318 total tackles and 10 interceptions during that time, earning All-SEC honors three times (2016-18).
His performance earned the attention of Tampa Bay, and now all these years later, Edwards is headed to Kansas City as the Chiefs aim to defend their world title.
