The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Defensive End Janarius Robinson to their roster. Robinson, 25, joins the Kansas City Chiefs after spending the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. His agency, SportsTrust Advisors, announced the signing on Friday.
He brings size and athleticism to the defensive line as they add depth to their pass rush. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge rusher has fought through injuries throughout his career. Despite that, he has flashed potential when given opportunities. The hope with this signing is that Robinson can provide depth and production whenever his number is called.
Janarius Robinson’s NFL Journey
Robinson was drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft as a fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, his rookie season was derailed by a leg injury, keeping him sidelined for the entire year. He spent his second season on Minnesota’s practice squad before moving on.
In September 2022, Robinson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but never saw game action. The Raiders picked him up in 2023, where he finally made his NFL debut. His first appearance came in Week 12 against the Chiefs, and he played in 16 games across two seasons.
Stats and Performance
Robinson’s time with the Raiders saw him primarily play in a rotational role. Across 16 games for Las Vegas which includes three starts, he recorded 13 total tackles, with seven being solo stops. He also secured 1.5 sacks.
While his numbers are modest, his physical tools intrigue the Chiefs. Kansas City’s coaching staff will likely want to see if he can figure out things quickly regarding their scheme and carve out a more significant role in their defensive line rotation. If he performs well, he could earn more snaps than anticipated for the Chiefs.
Off-Field Concerns and Fresh Start
Robinson’s career up to this point has been quite up and down and has largely been overshadowed by off-field issues, including a suspension in 2023. The league disciplined him for violating its substance abuse policy forcing him to miss the final three games of the season. In February 2024, he was also arrested in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor DUI charge.
However, even this being the case, the Chiefs have still decided to give Robinson an opportunity. Kansas City has a long track record of rehabilitating careers under Head Coach Andy Reid. If Robinson can stay healthy and focused during his time in Kansas City, he could make an impact and revive his professional journey.
Final Thoughts
The signing of Robinson by the Kansas City Chiefs is another example of their front office looking to fill out the edges of their team just before the NFL Draft arrives. With Robinson’s build and natural ability, he will be given the chance to prove himself and earn spot on the Chiefs defensive front rotation in 2025.
The Chiefs have made a habit of developing overlooked talent into key contributors, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Robinson now finds himself in an ideal situation to showcase his skills. If he stays healthy and can earn the trust of the coaching staff during training camp and preseason he could become a valuable rotational pass rusher this upcoming season.
