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ESPN Staff Writer- Adam Teicher has covered the Kansas City Chiefs for more than 30 seasons. He joined ESPN in 2013 for the launch of NFL Nation.
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ESPN Staff Writer- Covered Saints for eight years at New Orleans Times-Picayune
- Previously covered LSU football, San Francisco 49ers
- Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate
The Kansas City Chiefs made another move to fortify the middle of their offensive line by acquiring veteran guard Ben Grubbs. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Chiefs would send a fifth-round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in return.
The Saints continue their offseason overhaul and save $3.6 million off their 2015 salary cap, while the Chiefs will inherit the final two years and $13.9 million of Grubbs' contract.
Grubbs, 31, began his career as a first-round pick with the Baltimore Ravens in 2007 and joined the Saints as a free agent in 2012. He made the Pro Bowl once with each team, most recently in 2013.
Grubbs was more solid than spectacular, though, in his three-year stint in New Orleans. And the Saints' interior line was far too inconsistent last year during a disappointing 7-9 season.
The Saints already began making over that interior line when they acquired Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger as part of their blockbuster Jimmy Graham trade earlier in the week.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis explained that the team felt "bold" moves were necessary, and that the Saints especially needed more resources to improve a defense that ranked 31st in the NFL yards allowed last year.
The Saints also released veteran linebacker Curtis Lofton and running back Pierre Thomas over the past week, and more moves are possible.
"They are shopping everyone," a source told ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. "Literally everyone." The source said quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Brandin Cooks are the only names he hasn't heard discussed.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs on Wednesday agreed to contract terms with Paul Fanaika, who started at guard the past two seasons for the Arizona Cardinals. Fanaika was to sign his contract with the Chiefs on Friday, pending results from his physical examination.
The Chiefs have suffered heavy losses to the middle of their offensive line the past two seasons. Center Rodney Hudson signed as a free agent this week with the Oakland Raiders. Last year one guard, Geoff Schwartz, signed with the New York Giants, and another, Jon Asamoah, joined the Atlanta Falcons.
The Chiefs also have Jeff Allen and Zach Fulton as players under contract who have started for them in the past.