Kansas City Chiefs Contacted Antoine Bethea Before He Signed With San Francisco
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea (41) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Colts 40-11. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There has not been a wealth of information coming out of John Dorsey‘s front office since the beginning of free agency but apparently there has been plenty of activity. With a hat tip to Arrowhead Pride, it appears former Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea received interest from the Chiefs before he signed with the San Francisco 49ers yesterday.
Antoine Bethea "The interest wasn't mutual between myself and the Colts. There was some contact from the Packers, Chiefs and Lions"
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 13, 2014
Chris Clemons, not Bethea, was the safety many of us thought the Chiefs would or should target so this is something of a surprise. Mostly this is an interesting indication of what holes Kansas City is going to try to fill through free agency. They’ve already re-signed LB Frank Zombo and S Husain Abdullah, and added LB Joe Mays and OL Jeff Linkenbach.
It makes one think Kansas City may go after a guy like Clemons, who is excellent in pass coverage, later this week. Although Bethea is known more for his ability to defend against the run so maybe Dorsey is thinking something different about what the secondary is lacking.
One final thought: This is a good example about how sometimes there is nothing the Chiefs can do when it comes to a free agent. KC could have offered Bethea an competitive contract but he didn’t want to come here. Same can be said with guys like Jon Asamoah, Geoff Schwartz, Branden Albert, Tyson Jackson, and Dexter McCluster. It is easy forget the guys have goals and desires that may not be able to achieve by being in KC.
Such is free agency.