Chiefs cap space: Be smart and save the money

Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (69) during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

As soon as word came out that Justin Houston‘s new contract had created $8 million in cap space for the Kansas City Chiefs, there was immediate speculation about how they could and should spend it. At the top of that list is a former guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, Evan Mathis. In fact, Arrowhead Addicts’ own Laddie Morse recently published an article on the case for Mathis.

Morse lays out the facts, and then briefly addresses several of the other free-agent options on the market like Jake Long, Wes Welker, and James Jones.  He concludes with the following statement: “None of these free agents can help or impact the Chiefs starting lineup like Mathis can. For me, that’s obvious… and that… is the case for Evan Mathis.”

I think that those are solid words, and I am not going to disagree with the analysis. At least, not as far as it compares to other free agents on the market. But if the case for Mathis is that he the best player currently without a team, does that mean he is necessarily the best option for the Chiefs? I would argue the answer is no.

The best option is for the Chiefs to save the money, and make sure they can field a good team next season as well.

At first, that may sound silly to you. The offensive line was easily he weakest spot on the team on last season, and it showed. Bringing in Ben Grubbs and Paul Fanaika, and drafting Mitch Morse in the second round have all sought to improve the position group. But, especially with the loss of Rodney Hudson, there is still room to improve. Mathis could help facilitate some of that improvement. So how could the Chiefs lose if they have the money?

Next: Understanding the situation