Mauga re-signs with Chiefs

Josh Mauga wasn’t unemployed for long after not suiting up in the final year of his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2005 Fallon grad and former Nevada linebacker signed with Kansas City last week after becoming a free agent in March when his contract wasn’t renewed. Terms of Mauga’s new contract were not available.

After his first team — the New York Jets — passed on him three years ago, Mauga found a new home in the Midwest where he was able to make an immediate impact. He started 30 games in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, which included a playoff win over Houston two years ago. Mauga recorded 161 tackles and two interceptions and led the team in tackles in 2014.

Mauga, though, missed all of last season due to a hip injury in training camp but is ready to go for 2017. He will have to compete with Ramik Wilson to earn his inside linebacker spot back after the rookie started in place of Mauga last season. Mauga will also be reunited with one of the Chiefs’ defensive stars, Derrick Johnson, who returns from last year’s Achilles injury.

Mauga could get to play his childhood team in his return to the field when the preseason games begin next month. San Francisco visits Kansas City on Aug. 11.

Fallon and Nevada fans will also get an opportunity to watch Mauga, who will be inducted into the Greenwave Hall of Fame’s inaugural class this fall, compete close to home. Kansas City visits Oakland for Thursday Night Football in October when the Raiders host the Chiefs on Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The Chiefs open the regular season against the defending Super Bowl champ, New England, on Sept. 7 at Foxborro before taking on Philadelphia in the home opener the week after. Other notable non-division games include Pittsburgh, Dallas, New York (both teams) and Miami.