KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs on Tuesday signed defensive tackle Kyle Love to a contract, Love’s agent, Richard Kopelman of KLASS Sports, confirmed via telephone.
“Kyle is thrilled to be a member of a team that has certainly had a great season thus far that shows tremendous promise and potential,” Kopelman said. “He looks forward to having the opportunity to help make the Chiefs a better team than they already are moving forward, and hopefully all the way through the playoffs and to the Super Bowl.”
Dec 16, 2012; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; Steam rises off the head of New England Patriots defensive tackle Kyle Love (74) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Love entered the league in 2010 with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State. He appeared in 41 games (25 starts) recording 36 solo tackle, 32 assists and 5.5 sacks over a three-season span.
The Patriots released Love in May 2013 after he was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes, but Kopelman said there are no current health concerns with his client.
“His health is great,” Kopelman said. “He has his diabetes in check, controls his diet, exercises, maintains his weight where he needs it.”
Love spent 2013 training camp with the Jaguars before they released him on Sept. 1.
Kopelman said his client, who stands 6-foot-1, 315 pounds, is “very pleased” to be back in football and had worked hard to stay in shape with a view to return to the NFL.
Additionally, Kopelman believes the presence of Love, who can play in a 3-4 base defense, will benefit the current Chiefs defensive scheme run by defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
“He’s very, very strong at the point of attack,” Kopelman said of Love. “Hopefully we’ll provide additional depth and opportunities for the edge rushers to get at the quarterback, and maybe flip that score on the Broncos in a couple of weeks.”
Meanwhile, the Chiefs have yet to officially announce the signing. But defensive lineman Anthony Toribio appears on Tuesday’s NFL Transactions report as waived by the Chiefs.
Toribio had been the primary backup to starter Mike DeVito, who is currently battling a knee sprain.
Update: The Chiefs officially announced the Love signing and Toribio’s release. Love will wear jersey No. 99, Reid Ferrin of KCChiefs.com reports.
