Dontari Poe is reportedly finding a soft market in the early going, which might lead him to take a one-year deal — just not in Kansas City.
Dontari Poe needs to raise his stock. At only 26-years-old and with two Pro Bowl nods to his credit, it’d be easy to think that Poe has already done enough to make plenty of millions over the course of several years — that a big money deal that most players wait for wouldn’t be so elusive for a player who is above average and has been, at various points, a great defensive lineman. Unfortunately for Poe, that’s not the case.
Market for #Chiefs DT Dontari Poe might not be as good as hoped. Might do 1-yr deal w/ team that allows him to rush more, hit market in '18
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) March 8, 2017
Cole’s report means that Poe might have to re-enter the market next season, but the one-year deal also doesn’t give the Chiefs hope they can re-sign him for next year. Unfortunately any longing to raise his stock before trying to score a big payday again next year means he won’t come near the Chiefs roster — that is, unless he wants to make the same amount next offseason.
The Chiefs know Poe well enough to know how best to employ him. If he’s not rushing the passer enough at this point with the Chiefs, the team isn’t going to alter its defensive schemes to better highlight his skills just so he can make more money. Another team is likely to provide just what Poe wants, to highlight his ability to collapse the pocket and not just occupy the middle.
Early in his career, Poe has the numbers to justify the sort of move. With seasons of 4.5 and 6 career sacks (and 13 in his career), Poe has shown the ability to get to the quarterback. Perhaps he’s been told he’d find the pay he wants he if just had a handful of sacks to his credit every year.