Chiefs have approached Lilja about returning, according to source
April 9
BY ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs have approached Ryan Lilja about playing another season, and the veteran offensive lineman was receptive to the idea, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Lilja, who played in high school at Shawnee Mission Northwest and in college at Kansas State, said immediately after the end of last season that he would retire. Lilja, 31, has played nine NFL seasons, six for Indianapolis and the last three for the Chiefs.
The three-year contract Lilja signed when he joined the Chiefs has expired, and he is an unrestricted free agent.
Lilja said at the end of last season that he would have surgeries on his knee and toe that he had put off until his career was finished. He said at the time it was unlikely he would eventually reconsider his decision to retire.
“Physically, you hit a wall and your body kind of tells you to start thinking about it,’’ he said. “I wanted to be in a place where I was at peace with my decision and could move forward and never regret it. I’m there.’’
Lilja was a guard for the first eight seasons of his NFL career before moving to center last year after the Chiefs lost Rodney Hudson. It’s unclear what position Lilja would play. The Chiefs have Hudson returning at center and Jeff Allen and Jon Asamoah returning at guard.
The Chiefs also signed Geoff Schwartz, who can play both guard and tackle, as a free agent.
The Chiefs begin offseason practice next week, when they hold a three-day minicamp at their Truman Sports Complex facility.
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