Report: Kamal Hadden signs NFL rookie contract with Kansas City Chiefs
Kamal Hadden has signed his NFL rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, reportedly agreeing to a deal worth $4.158 million, including a $138,388 signing bonus. The former Tennessee defensive back was a sixth round pick in the NFL Draft, selected at No. 211 overall.
Hadden was one of three former Tennessee players selected in last month’s NFL Draft. Running back Jaylen Wright was selected in the fourth round at No. 120 overall by the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Joe Milton was pick No. 193 overall, taken in the sixth round by the New England Patriots.
“Man,” Hadden said during a conference call after being drafted, “I’m just so thankful. I want thank the man above, thank God to give me to this opportunity. It was just a real blessing for me, for my family, and for everybody. So I was just real thankful for the opportunity.”
#Chiefs signed sixth-round corner Kamal Hadden: $4.158 million, including $138,388 signing bonus
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 14, 2024
Kamal Hadden had three interceptions before being lost to injury last season
Hadden was a staple in Tennessee football’s defense last season, intercepting three passes and recording 19 tackles in seven games before being lost to a season-ending shoulder injury in the loss at Alabama in October.
Over the last three seasons Hadden recorded 87 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, 18 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
He had 51 tackles and two interceptions in nine games in 2022 and 17 tackles and one pick in seven games in 2021. Last season he had 13 solo tackles, six assists and had eight passes defended to go with his career-high three interceptions.
Hadden is the second Tennessee player drafted by the Chiefs over the last four years. Kansas City took offensive lineman Trey Smith in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting him with the No. 226 overall pick.
“I think I fit well with the Chiefs, man,” Hadden said. “I think I’m a guy that can come in and compete and make plays. I think I can bring a lot of energy to this defense. They got a great team over there, a great organization going. And I just think I could come in and help a little bit.”
Shoulder injury, surgery limited Kamal Hadden’s NFL Draft opportunity
According to Pro Football Focus stats, Hadden allowed 12 receptions on 33 targets last season. He was called for just two penalties in the seven games.
The shoulder surgery that followed Hadden’s injury in the fall limited him to a late-round pick in the draft. Hadden updated his health during the media session following the NFL Draft.
“The shoulder’s great, man,” he said. “The shoulder’s great. I feel like I’m real good and I feel like I’m to a point where I can compete and I can go out there and do my thing. My shoulder is, I feel like, all the way to the point where it needs to be. Going out there and knocking the rust off and get back to moving and competing with other people lined up in front of me.
“I feel like that’s where I’m at. And we had a great offseason of getting my shoulder right, getting healthy. And everything came how it was supposed to come, so my shoulder’s great.”
