Mike

Edwards

Edwards joined the Chiefs on a one-year deal last offseason. He served as the team’s third safety early in the year but took on a starting role for the final five weeks of the regular season. Edwards held down the starting gig throughout the playoffs en route to his second Super Bowl victory. He finished the season with five pass breakups, one sack, and one interception. Edwards also recovered two fumbles and took one to the house in Week 18. After gutting their secondary for cap reasons ahead of free agency, the Bills could view Edwards as a starting option for the 2024 season.

The Chiefs let safety Juan Thornhill walk in free agency but have already found his replacement in Edwards. The former Buc is coming off the best year of his career. He took over a starting role in 2022 and totaled 82 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups while playing in 13 games. The Chiefs haven’t been making splashy signings this offseason, but they are continuing to fill their holes on both sides of the ball without breaking the bank. This extremely cheap signing for a solid start on defense is another feather in the cap of general manager Brett Veach.

Edwards missed Week 13 because of the issue and looks unlikely to play this week either. He did not practice at all this week and is all but certain to be joined by fellow starting safety Antoine Winfield when the Bucs declare their inactives. The pair of injuries give Brock Purdy a fighting chance in his first career start.

Arians said he wouldn’t comment on Brown or teammate Mike Edwards, both of whom were suspended for three games after faking their COVID-19 vaccination cards. Brown’s chef gave him up after the mercurial receiver allegedly refused to pay him for his work. Arians, who said last year that he wouldn’t tolerate slip-ups from Brown, seems to be at least considering parting ways with Tom Brady’s recruit. Brown’s absence from Tampa’s lineup will continue stabilizing opportunity and production for Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Per Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman, both Brown and Edwards have accepted their suspensions and will not appeal. They’ll both be out through Week 15’s game against the Saints. Brown is reportedly fully, street legally vaccinated now. His prolonged absence is great news for Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski down the stretch and at the beginning of the fantasy playoffs. It’s a devastating blow for managers who have held Brown throughout his ankle injury. Brown will have three weeks to lament his decision to not properly pay the personal chef who tipped off everyone to this story.

Neither Edwards nor pass rusher Shaq Barrett (groin) were injured prior to traveling to London. The potential absence of two starting defenders is obviously great news for Kyle Allen and the Panthers.

Edwards (5’10/205) made 44 starts for Kentucky, tallying 10 career picks and earning second-team All-SEC as a senior. PFF College charted Edwards with 33 defensive stops in 2018, which led all SEC safeties. Edwards registered a 4.5-flat forty and 37-inch vertical at UK’s Pro Day, showing ample athleticism in the pre-draft phase. Edwards’ tape reveals a versatile cover man with plus ball skills and experience at both deep safety and slot corner.

Edwards (5’10/205) made 44 starts on the Wildcats’ backend, tallying ten career interceptions and earning second-team All-SEC as a senior. PFF College charted Edwards with 33 defensive stops in 2018, which led all SEC safeties. Edwards registered a 4.5-flat forty and 37-inch vertical at UK’s Pro Day, showing ample athleticism in the pre-draft phase. Edwards’ tape reveals a versatile cover man with plus ball skills and experience at both deep safety and slot corner.