Damon Arnette was the No. 19 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
He was released before the end of his second season.
Arnette was released after a video surfaced showing him making serious threats and holding a gun.
He landed on the Miami Dolphins practice squad and has now been signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs have signed former Raiders first round CB Damon Arnette to a Reserve/Futures contract.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 20, 2022
Signing him in general is a controversial move and the NFL world is reacting on social media in many different ways.
The #chiefs signing Damon Arnette after Willie Gay’s arrest makes about zero sense. Chiefs are not the good guys that’s for sure
— Jackson Ellis (@The_jellis22) January 20, 2022
NFL World Reacts To The Damon Arnette Signing
The Chiefs signed the defensive back to a futures contract, so it’s not like he will be suiting up in this postseason.
Yet the move is polarizing and a lot of people on Twitter are speaking out against it.
Damon Arnette, Tyreek Hill, Deandre Baker and Frank Clark all in the same locker room.
— Rob Donaldson (@RobDFB) January 20, 2022
The Chiefs baffle me sometimes. They cut Kareem Hunt but sign Damon Arnette? https://t.co/wi9kCgqloI
— #BrainsAndBars (@brainsandbars) January 20, 2022
Inside the Chiefs fans brains who are justifying signing Damon Arnette. pic.twitter.com/BzqDQ2emOG
— Kev (@KevinMcGannon) January 20, 2022
Arnette only added to the drama surrounding the Raiders this season.
It seemed like a terrible story surrounding a coach or player popped up at least once a week.
His release was also a bad look for GM Mike Mayock, who has since been fired in Las Vegas.
Mayock lost two 2020 first-round picks in Arnette and Henry Ruggs in the matter of one season.
i typically get a sense of dread when i see stuff like this, just because it has happened so often that the raiders let a player go only for him to find success elsewhere.
with damon arnette…not so much https://t.co/khe6e16Rw8
— JT (@joshterrill7) January 20, 2022
A second chance in Kansas City for former Raiders first-round corner Damon Arnette after being cut by Las Vegas due to off-field issues. He was added on a reserve-future deal as he looks to restart his NFL career https://t.co/9H0Kw7w1Vl
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 20, 2022
I am really surprised Damon Arnette got a futures deal from KC. I am all for redemption. But, it’s a process. Felt a little to easy. I guess that first round status keeps you in the league. We will see what Arnette does with his opportunity.
— Jon Kronenberg (@JonKayNFL) January 20, 2022
The reaction is mostly centered around surprise and also understanding that Arnette is still viewed as a recent first-round pick.
Talent usually prevails over anything else in the NFL.
Fans have seen it with Antonio Brown and many others, so Arnette’s situation is no different.
He is also still just 25 years old so the Chiefs view this as a low-risk, high-reward move.
There is no real negative effect if he doesn’t pan out.
It’s not like the Chiefs drafted him and signed him to a first-round contract.
Damon Arnette really?
— Alex (@ADillon__) January 20, 2022
This move is one that causes controversy in the moment.
The noise should die down rather quickly as games are played this weekend.
NEXT: Patrick Mahomes Saved His Best For The Playoffs