Kansas City Chiefs sign former rival player after attempting to trade for him during roster cuts

The Kansas City Chiefs have a new running back, and it's a name they're very familiar with.

The Chiefs are signing Samaje Perine to the 53-man roster, per NFL Media's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.

Perine, a former fourth-round pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, spent the 2023 season with the Denver Broncos. He spent the previous four years with the Cincinnati Bengals. He's a vested veteran who wasn't subject to waivers, unlike new practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe .

In total, Perine has faced the Chiefs six times since Week 17 of the 2021 regular season. His best game came in 2022 when he racked up 155 yards from scrimmage as the Bengals' starting running back in a 27-24 defeat on the road.

the Chiefs were eyeing Perine before he was let go by the Broncos during Tuesday's cutdown period. Per Rapoport, Kansas City and Denver exchanged in trade talks regarding the veteran tailback.

The Chiefs will now have Perine on the roster, and presumably for a cheaper price. Trading for him would've required them to take on the remaining $3 million from the two-year, $8 million contract he signed with the Broncos last year.

Plus, not having to give up anything return is another positive.

Perine looked like a fit for other clubs including the Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, and even a reunion with the Bengals . Ultimately, he chose the Super Bowl favorites and a role in the Chiefs' backfield.

Kansas City held on to both former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie undrafted free agent Carson Steele. Perine will fit in with those two to round out the running back room.

Transactions are still flying across the NFL landscape, so be sure to follow our Chiefs' practice squad tracker .

Related: Kansas City Chiefs claim former Dallas Cowboys defensive back on waivers