The football world got hit with some heartbreaking news this past Friday, July 24th, when former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Jordan Devey passed away at just 38 years old. His wife shared the tragic news publicly on social media, confirming Devey died by suicide. This hits hard, reminding everyone how fragile life is, especially for guys who give their all on the field.
A Tragic Loss And Unanswered Questions For The Game
Devey’s passing leaves a huge void, leaving behind his wife and four children in the Kansas City area. It’s truly devastating, and a GoFundMe has already been set up to support his family. His mother believes he suffered from CTE, but ESPN reported that testing for the disease isn’t possible given the circumstances of his death. That’s a gut punch, leaving so many questions unanswered about the long-term impact of playing this brutal game. Devey had a career that took him all over the league, signing as an undrafted free agent in 2013 with the Baltimore Ravens, winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2014, and playing three seasons with the Chiefs from 2016 to 2018. He also had stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Buffalo Bills before his release in August 2021. It’s a somber reminder of the sacrifices these athletes make.
Chiefs Face Big Questions As Camp Nears
Away from the heartbreak, the current Chiefs squad is heading towards training camp with some serious questions of their own. Starter Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL, leaving his readiness for the start of the year up in the air. That means the backup QB situation is getting a lot of attention. Justin Fields, despite his 16-37 record as a starter and not quite living up to his No. 11 overall draft pick from 2021, is looking like he could be the guy right out of the gate. He’s got that rushing component that always adds a wrinkle, and maybe a system he’s familiar with in Kansas City could unlock some of that talent. Rookies Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun are also in the mix.
On the other side of the ball, Steve Spagnuolo’s defense really needs to step up. Last season, they ranked 29th in third-down conversions and struggled on fourth-down too. The front office targeted speed along the defensive line and secondary this offseason, specifically to fix those issues. The big question looming over camp is whether those numbers will be better when the season kicks off. It’s a crucial improvement if they want to contend.
It’s not all grim news though. Cornerback Kristian Fulton was out there with Habitat for Humanity in Olathe this past Friday, helping build 14 homes with the Chiefs Red Coaters. It’s awesome to see players giving back to the community even as they get ready for what promises to be a challenging but exciting season. Chiefs Kingdom has a lot to navigate as training camp officially opens, with both the memory of a former player and the future of the team weighing heavily.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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