but was able to return before Week 5. On November 12, 2017, Hitchens recorded ten combined tackles in a 27–7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The following week, he moved over to weakside linebacker after Sean Lee suffered a hamstring injury. Hitchens went on to collect five combined tackles before suffering a groin injury, in the Cowboys 37–9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. On November 30, 2017, Hitchens recorded a season-high 15 combined tackles in Dallas' 34–15 victory over the Washington Redskins. Hitchens finished the season with 84 combined tackles (55 solo), two pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 12 games and 12 starts. Hitchens became an unrestricted free agent in 2018 and was considered one of the top free agent linebackers available. He was heavily linked to the Indianapolis Colts due to his experience under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus who was his linebacker coach with the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys were interested in re-signing Hitchens, but were unable to offer a considerable contract. Kansas City Chiefs 2018 On March 15, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Hitchens to a five-year, $45 million contract that includes $25.09 million and a signing bonus of $14 million. Hitchens entered training camp slated as a starting inside linebacker and replaced Derrick Johnson. Head coach Andy Reid named Hitchens and Reggie Ragland the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season. They began the season alongside outside linebackers Dee Ford and Justin Houston. He started in the Kansas City Chiefs’ season-opener at the Los Angeles Chargers and collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (six solo) during a 38–28 victory. In Week 6, he tied his season-high of 14 combined tackles (six solo) as the Chiefs lost 43–40 at the New England Patriots. In Week 8, Hitchens sustained a rib injury during the fourth quarter of a 30–23 victory against the Denver Broncos. The following week, he aggravated his rib injury and was subsequently sidelined for the Chiefs’ Week 10 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Hitchens finished the 2018 NFL season with a career-high 135 combined tackles (81 solo) and forced one fumble in 15 games and 15 starts. His 135 tackles led the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense and finished fifth among all players in 2018. He received an overall grade of 40.6 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 92nd among all linebackers in 2018. 2019 In Week 7 against the Denver Broncos,