Former Kansas City Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens has taken his first known visit in free agency.
According to Chicago Tribune beat writer Brad Biggs, the Chicago Bears hosted Hitchens on a visit on Thursday. Hitchens was released by the Chiefs back in February after spending four seasons in Kansas City. This marks his first visit since his release and the interest seems palpable.
Prior to his arrival with the Chiefs back in 2018, Hitchens was playing for new Bears HC Matt Eberflus, who was the linebackers coach for the Cowboys throughout Hitchens’ four seasons in Dallas. Eberflus coached him to one of his best years as a professional in 2017, which helped Hitchens earn the big five-year, $45 million deal in Kansas City. Then, of course, there’s the connection to new Bears GM Ryan Poles, who was in Kansas City for each of Hitchens’ four seasons with the team.
#Bears brought in veteran LB Anthony Hitchens for a visit on Thursday. Hitchens played under coach Matt Eberflus when he was in Dallas.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) April 8, 2022
Outside of Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow, Chicago has a need to get better at the linebacker position. Hitchens could provide them with someone who could reinforce that depth across the board. Since Hitchens was released from his contract in K.C., if he signs with the Bears in free agency, he wouldn’t count toward the compensatory pick formula.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach previously left the door open for a potential return down the line for Hitchens should he not receive a better offer in free agency. It seems that Kansas City has already moved on with the additions they’ve made to the linebacker corps, adding Jermaine Carter Jr. and Elijah Lee in free agency.
