After missing the entire 2016 season due to injury, Josh Mauga is getting a new lease on life in Kansas City.
The Chiefs re-signed Mauga on Thursday, per his agent and later confirmed by the team. It was one of a few transactions the team completed in making tweaks to the 90-man roster ahead of training camp. Kansas City also added safety Steven Terrell who previously played with the Seattle Seahawks while waiving punter Will Monday.
Congrats to client Josh Mauga on returning to @Chiefs. Underrated signing as Mauga started 30/30 games played in Chiefs career #chiefs #nfl
— Michael Hoffman (@MRHoffy) July 6, 2017
Kansas City Chiefs Re-Sign Linebacker Josh Mauga
Mauga originally signed with the Chiefs ahead of the 2014 season after spending the entirety of his NFL career to that point with the New York Jets. He made an immediate impact in KC’s linebacking corps, registering 82 tackles. That number led all players at his position on the team.
The team rewarded Mauga for his efforts, inking him to a three-year, $8 million deal on March 6, 2015.
The following season, his tackle numbers dropped to 45, but he proved to be highly effective in pass defense. Mauga finished the regular season with two interceptions and three pass breakups while also adding one sack. In the Chiefs 30-0 blowout win over the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round, he was one of four players who picked off quarterback Brian Hoyer.
During his first two seasons in Kansas City, Mauga started in all 30 games he appeared in. But last year, he suffered a hip injury in training camp and missed all of 2016. Heading into this year, Mauga’s familiarity with the defense will help as veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson gets eased back in following an Achilles injury late last season.
The 30-year-old Mauga initially signed with the Jets after going undrafted in 2009. The team cut him during preseason but he eventually made it to the practice squad later that year before getting released again on December 20th. He eventually rejoined the practice squad in 2010 and later found himself on the 53-man roster. Over the next three years, he appeared in 29 games for the Jets, making one start.
Chiefs training camp begins July 24th on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO.
