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Kansas City Rift: Chris Jones Tears Into Rookie Who Stormed Out of Camp After Learning a Lower Pick Landed a Fatter Payday

Kansas City, MO  — A surprising twist hit the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp when a standout rookie abruptly walked off the practice field after discovering that a later draft pick is earning a larger contract.

The decision stunned both teammates and coaches, especially given the rookie’s impressive showing in the team’s preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals, where he led the defense in tackles and drew praise from the coaching staff.

That rookie is linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, a fifth-round selection out of Oregon, who signed a four-year, $4.61 million deal with $413,652 guaranteed. His frustration reportedly boiled over after learning seventh-round running back Brashard Smith has a larger total contract value.

“SKIPPING PRACTICE OVER A CONTRACT? THAT’S COWARDLY. IN KANSAS CITY, WE SWEAT, COMPETE, AND EARN OUR SPOTS. WE’VE TURNED DOWN BIGGER MONEY JUST TO WEAR RED AND GOLD — IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE IT, HAND YOUR JERSEY TO SOMEONE WHO WILL FIGHT FOR IT.” Jones told reporters.

Bassa’s departure came less than 48 hours after his six-tackle performance against the Cardinals, a game that saw him flash the athleticism and coverage skills head coach Andy Reid had praised just days earlier. His walkout has left many puzzled.

Brashard Smith, the player at the center of the contract comparison, signed a four-year, $5.33 million deal with $233,476 guaranteed. While Smith has shown promise as a pass-catching back, he did not record any notable stats against Arizona.

For Kansas City, the episode is an unwelcome distraction as camp enters a critical stretch. Coaches and veterans alike are working to keep focus on preparation, especially with roster cuts looming in the weeks ahead.

Whether Bassa returns to the field or this marks a turning point in his rookie season remains to be seen. For now, the Chiefs’ message is clear — in this locker room, commitment comes before contract disputes.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side