Laurent Duvernay-Tardif discusses Chiefs exit and future plans in football

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif talks about why he left the Kansas City Chiefs for the New York Jets and what is next for him in his future football endeavors.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is best known for playing along the offensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as as opting out of the 2020 NFL season to help battle COVID-19 in the medical field in his native Canada.

Duvernay-Tardif returned to the gridiron this past season, spending the last half of the campaign with the New York Jets. As for what he wants to do going forward, whether that is football, being a medical doctor or whatnot, it seems as though Duvernay-Tardif is not ready to hang up the football spikes just yet.

“I certainly hope so, to be honest. Again, I opted out in 2020. My goal was to go back on the football field,” said Duvernay-Tardif to FanSided‘s Mark Carman. “When I showed up in Kansas City, I broke my hand in training camp. Clearly, there was a vision of moving on with younger guys. So I had a no-trade clause and I decided to waive it in order to play.”

“The New York Jets gave me the best opportunity to do so. I went down there and played the last eight games of the season, and now I’m a free agent. So we’ll see how things go, but I for sure set myself up to try to stay with the New York Jets.”

Here is Carman’s entire conversation with Duvernay-Tardif on behalf of Sleep Number.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif wants to re-up with the New York Jets in free agency

Even though the Jets have the longest active playoff drought in the league, Duvernay-Tardif seemed to really enjoy his time playing for Gang Green last year. The Jets may be a bottom-eight team in the league, but they do have some greater sense of continuity heading into next season. From Robert Saleh to Joe Douglas to Zach Wilson, the Jets have a chance to make a leap forward.

As for if Duvernay-Tardif returns to New York on a second contract, he prefers to let his representation do the talking. The Jets offered him a place to play when the Chiefs were more interested in a youth movement along the offensive line. In return, he provided the upstart Jets of some much-needed leadership, as well as mentorship on what it takes to have success in the NFL.

Still in his early 30s, Duvernay-Tardif should have a few suitors if he wants to keep on playing ball.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif spoke with FanSided on behalf of Sleep Number.