Mulumba signs one-year deal with Chiefs

Andy Mulumba has a new NFL home.

The former Green Bay Packers outside linebacker signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday following a visit with the team, according to his agent Tom Tafelski. That deal included a small signing bonus.

Mulumba, 26, spent his first three seasons with the Packers after first making the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2013. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound outside linebacker hit the open market earlier this month when the Packers opted against tendering him a contract as a restricted free agent.

“Andy appreciates the opportunity the Packers gave him to start his NFL career. It’s a terrific organization,” Tafelski said. “He had a great few years in Green Bay and is looking forward to continuing his career in Kansas City.”

Mulumba, a Canadian citizen who resides in Quebec, can return to the United States with a deal now in place. He was forced to leave the country at the end of February when the Packers chose not to re-sign him. Mulumba, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will continue working toward gaining U.S. citizenship now that he has signed with the Chiefs.

The Packers were high on Mulumba as a developmental rusher out of Eastern Michigan. Mulumba saw his most action as a rookie when he had 30 tackles with one sack in 14 games (three starts) in 2013, but missed most of his second NFL season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 2.

Mulumba returned in time to participate in the offseason program and regained his spot on the active roster on the heels of a strong camp. However, depth at outside linebacker limited his on-field opportunities once the regular season began. In fact, Mulumba was active in only seven of 18 games (including playoffs), finishing with five tackles.

The Packers showed little interest in retaining him this offseason despite keeping him around all season. Now, Mulumba becomes the third former undrafted outside linebacker to make the move from Green Bay to Kansas City, joining Frank Zombo and Dezman Moses.

Mulumba’s signing won’t count toward the compensatory equation because the Packers forfeited his rights when they non-tendered him.

whodkiew@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @WesHod.