NFL Free Agency Rumors: Dexter McCluster Chiefs’ Number One Priority?

Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster (22) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

There have been no shortage of tweets linking recently released Chicago Bears return man Devin Hester to the Chiefs because of his connection to special teams coach Dave Toub. So it isn’t a surprise Jeff Dickerson, a beat reporter for ESPN’s radio affiliate in Chicago, would tweet something linking Hester to Kansas City. What is a little surprising is what he had to say about pending free agent Dexter McCluster.

We haven’t heard much from the Chiefs front office about what they plan to do with their own pending free agents so this tweet in some ways is enlightening. It is difficult to know whether or not Dickerson is speculating McCluster is the Chiefs top priority because he’s coming off a Pro Bowl season or if he has a source suggesting the Chiefs are working hard to bring back McCluster. Because Dickerson is a Chicago radio guy I’m inclined to think there is more speculation here than actual sources.

However, it would not be a surprise if McCluster was the Chiefs primary focus given how many roles he filled for the team in 2013. McCluster had his best season as a receiver and proved he could be a quality return man in Toub’s system. The Chiefs already have needs at receiver even with McCluster so losing him would make those needs even greater. Retaining him and adding a mid-round receiver in the draft may be a solid way for the Chiefs to upgrade the unit and keep some consistency.

Kansas City has until 3 p.m. Saturday to exclusively negotiate with McCluster until other teams are allowed to start meeting with him. Free agency officially opens March 11.

While we wait, I’m going to watch this on loop for a while.