Chiefs Acquire DeBerg for Safety, 2 Draft Picks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded quarterback Steve DeBerg to the Kansas City Chiefs for safety Mark Robinson and two draft picks Thursday, apparently clearing the way for Vinny Testaverde to become the Buccaneers’ full-time quarterback.

In addition to Robinson, the Buccaneers will receive the Chiefs’ picks in the fourth and eighth rounds of the NFL draft later this month. The Chiefs owned multiple picks in both rounds.

General Manager Jim Schaff of the Chiefs said DeBerg, expected to back up Bill Kenney, had agreed to a three-year contract. The Chiefs traded backup quarterback Todd Blackledge to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week.

DeBerg, beginning his 12th season in the NFL, started for Tampa Bay in the first eight games last season, not counting strike games, before giving way to Testaverde in the last four games.

Testaverde, the 1986 Heisman Trophy winner, was the top pick in last year’s draft and signed an $8-million contract.