Even with uncertainty surrounding quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his recovery from a serious knee injury, the Kansas City Chiefs have been active in free agency.
One of the most intriguing additions came earlier this week when the Chiefs signed veteran safety Alohi Gilman.
The former Los Angeles Chargers defender was introduced to the media on Thursday and quickly generated buzz with candid remarks about Mahomes, his former divisional rival and now his quarterback.
Speaking at his introductory press conference, Gilman acknowledged the frustration Mahomes caused during his years in the AFC West but also expressed admiration for the two-time MVP’s competitive mindset.
“He’s obviously talented physically … he finds ways to do some magician stuff at the end,” Gilman said. “But the competitor — the warrior he is out there — you’ve got to appreciate it and respect it. When you’re around greatness like that, he’ll only make me better.”
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Kansas City officially signed Gilman to a three-year, $24.75 million contract that includes $15 million guaranteed, adding an experienced presence to a reshaped secondary.
The move comes at a time when the Chiefs are navigating significant changes on defense.
With multiple departures in the defensive backfield this offseason, including cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, as well as safety Bryan Cook, the organization prioritized adding veteran stability to coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
Gilman, a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, spent the majority of his career with the Chargers before a mid-2025 move to the Baltimore Ravens.
During the 2025 season, Gilman appeared in 17 games split between the Chargers and Ravens and finished with a career-high 90 tackles, along with nine pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
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Gilman’s arrival also comes during a pivotal moment for the Chiefs organization.
Mahomes suffered a devastating knee injury in December 2025, tearing both his ACL and LCL, which required immediate surgery and ended his season. The star quarterback has since begun an intense rehabilitation program and has publicly stated his goal of returning in time for the start of the 2026 season.
Now, after years of lining up against Mahomes as a Charger, Gilman will share the same sideline with the quarterback he once tried to stop.