Chiefs release veteran LB Anthony Hitchens

Hitchens was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and spent the first four seasons of his career with the NFC East squad. In March 2018, the linebacker signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Chiefs and played in 59 regular-season games with the team and 11 more in the playoffs since then.

Hitchens had arguably his best season in 2018, posting a career-high (and team-best) 135 tackles. The total was good for fifth in the NFL.

He was a starting captain on Kansas City's Super Bowl LIV-winning squad. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid both had high praise for the 29-year-old.

"When I first became General Manager, one of the first moves I wanted to make was to bring in Anthony Hitchens from Dallas," Veach said. "We knew how intelligent, hard working and consistent he was as a player, and we knew he'd become a selfless leader. He was that and more. He has all the intangibles and was an integral piece in our franchise winning a Super Bowl title. We appreciate everything he's done for the organization and wish him the best as he continues his career."

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to coach Anthony over the last four years," Reid added. "He's as tough as they come in this league and is a team-first player. I appreciate the way he came to work, ready to do his part, but also his willingness to teach the younger guys around him."