KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs have re-signed long snapper Thomas Gafford to a one-year contract, Gafford’s agent, Glenn Schawartzman, confirmed in an email.
The Chiefs haven’t announced the signing, but the deal is worth $730,000, according to the NFLPA’s database.
Aug 30, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Thomas Gafford (43) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The signing represents a $15,000 increase from Gafford’s 2013 salary.
Gafford, who has been with the Chiefs since 2008, was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on March 11, the start of the NFL’s 2014 calendar year.
Schwartzman said Gafford “is excited to be returning” to Kansas City.
The team’s long snapper has appeared in every game since 2009 and is among the longest tenured Chiefs on the roster.
The players who have been with the team as long or longer than Gafford are left tackle Branden Albert (08), who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent; wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (07); running back Jamaal Charles (08); punter Dustin Colquitt (05); cornerback Brandon Flowers (08); inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (05); and outside linebacker Tamba Hali (06).
Meanwhile, the Chiefs were set to enter the free agency period with 12 unrestricted free agents prior to Gafford’s reported re-signing.
With Gafford, 31, back in the fold, the Chiefs can focus on the other 11 players set to enter the market.
The players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents when the league’s calendar year takes effect are Albert; free safeties Husain Abdullah, Quintin Demps and Kendrick Lewis; guards Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz; defensive end Tyson Jackson; wide receiver/punt returner Dexter McCluster; wide receiver Kyle Williams; and linebackers Akeem Jordan and Frank Zombo.
