[Extinimot]

Linebacker Donnie Edwards, who began his NFL career with the Chiefs, now appears destined to finish it with them, too.
Edwards and the Chiefs agreed to terms Saturday on a three-year contract worth about $13.5 million. Edwards will replace Kendrell Bell as the starter at one outside linebacker position.


The other outside linebacker is Derrick Johnson. The recently signed Napoleon Harris will start at middle linebacker.
Edwards began his career with the Chiefs as a fourth-round draft pick in 1996. He became a starter in his second season and was immediately their most productive linebacker.
He also became one of their most popular players until he was released after the 2001 season. The Chiefs didn’t believe at the time he was worth his salary.


Edwards quickly signed with San Diego and played five strong seasons for the Chargers. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have tried to replace him ever since.
Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson said that even though Edwards is from San Diego and played at UCLA, it was always awkward watching him play for the Chargers. Peterson indicated it would have been tough to watch him play for any other team except the Chiefs.
“Letting him go was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made,” Peterson said. “I let our defensive coordinator (Greg Robinson) and our head coach (Dick Vermeil) talk me into it. I regretted it ever since. I think even Dick admitted later it was a mistake. Every time we played against Donnie, he hurt us. It was a bad move by us.


“He’s excited about coming back to Kansas City. He knows what Kansas City is all about. He’s very happy about being able to come back here and finish his career with the Chiefs. He always loved it here.”
Edwards is vacationing in Italy. His agent, Tom Condon, was unavailable.
The addition of Edwards runs counter to the plans of Peterson and head coach Herm Edwards to energize the Chiefs — particularly on defense — with youth. Harris, for instance, is 28 and headed, presumably, into the prime of his career.


Edwards will be 34 next month. Though he showed no signs of slowing down last season, the Chargers made no effort to re-sign Edwards when he became a free agent.
“Getting younger is important,” Peterson said. “But it’s also important to get the appropriate amount of veteran leadership. This was an opportunity Herm was pleased about. He will be competitive on the field and help us. Donnie has always played at a high level and kept himself in great shape. He can certainly give us another three years here. That’s what we’re looking for.”


Bell joined the Chiefs as part of the wave of high-profile defensive additions two years ago. But even though he was a starter, Bell never had the impact for the Chiefs that he did for his previous team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bell has a scheduled base salary of slightly more than $3 million for 2007, but Peterson said Bell wouldn’t be released.


“He will still be with us,” Peterson said. “He gives our defense the versatility to do a lot of different things. Kendrell has displayed many times when he was with Pittsburgh that he’s a terrific pass rusher. (Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham) has some plans for him to do that. I’m sure they will find a place for Kendrell also. This gives Gunther some additional firepower and options that I’m sure he will take advantage of.”