KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs now have six players signing free-agent contracts with other teams since Tuesday’s start of the league’s calendar year.
Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Quintin Demps (35) returns the opening kickoff past midfield against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Safety/returner Quintin Demps becomes the latest after signing a deal with the New York Giants on Saturday night, beat writer Ebenezer Samuel of The Daily News reports.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Demps also announced the signing on his Twitter account by tweeting, “Gr8ful for another opportunity to play a game for a living. It’s truly a privilege. Enjoying the Journey by Faith.”
Attached to Demps’ tweet was a link to an Instagram photo of the Giants logo.
Prior to the start of free agency, Demps told ChiefsSpin.com on March 6 he hoped to return to the Chiefs.
However, Demps took a moment to reflect what the 2013 season meant to him if he signed elsewhere.
“Individually, I look back at I had my best season ever,” Demps said then. “Did I leave some plays out there; do I wish I would’ve done some things better? Of course.
“As a teammate, I look back as the Chiefs were not a good team a couple years prior to last season. When Andy Reid did the turnaround, it was remarkable. It was definitely a fun season to be a part of, going 9-0, never was I ever a part of anything like that. All in all, it’s all positive, nothing negative. I’m going to grow from that experience.”
Demps leaves the Chiefs after one season and joins his fourth team since entering the league in 2008 out of the University of Texas-El Paso as a fourth-round pick (117th overall) of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He led the Chiefs last season in interceptions with four and contributed to a record-setting return game with 992 yards and a touchdown on 33 attempts (30.1 yards per return).
With Demps anchoring kickoff returns, the Chiefs set the NFL single-season record for highest kickoff return average with 29.9 yards in 2013 (1,316 yards on 44 returns). The Pro Football Writers of America named Demps as an All-AFC returner.
Demps joins guard Geoff Schwartz as members of the 2013 Chiefs now with the Giants.
The Chiefs have also lost left tackle Branden Albert to the Miami Dolphins, defensive end Tyson Jackson and guard Jon Asamoah to the Atlanta Falcons, and wide receiver/punt returner Dexter McCluster to the Tennessee Titans.
