These three star defenders hope they'll remain Kansas City Chiefs

By foxsports
Published

One day, the Kansas City Chiefs will have to bid farewell to their defensive stalwarts.

Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Eric Berry hope that day isn't soon. The trio of impending free agents want all want to return to their team of origin for another playoff push in 2016.

Hali, via The Kansas City Star: 

Age is a determining factor for Hali and Johnson, though. The linebackers are 32 and 33, respectively -- time for their team to draw up contingency plans for when they hang their cleats up.

But losing Berry would be particularly bitter. He's only 27 years old and cancer-free after last season's battle. Every NFL team would call him if the Pro Bowler hit the market.

There's no reason why he -- or Hali and Johnson, for that matter -- should. Kansas City's defense was one of the NFL's best, and despite age concerns, they'll be good to great again.

For his part, Johnson hopes he's wearing red and gold again in 2016: