Ian Rapoport On Chiefs: “A Team That’s Already Pretty Good And Is Getting Better”

Jan 14, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey (left), chairman Clark Hunt (middle) and coach Andy Reid pose for photos during the press conference at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a lot of discussion on whether or not the Chiefs are getting better as a team despite not being very active with the big names in free agency. Throw in the reality of losing many of their own big free agents to other teams and the mood only sours. Some fans have suggested the Chiefs must be in rebuilding mode given how inactive they have been.

However, some national people are not viewing the Chiefs’ off-season as a rebuild. In fact, Ian Rapoport said on 610 AM this morning he thinks the national perspective of the Chiefs is that they are getting better.

“It’s being viewed like a team that’s already pretty good and getting is better,” Rapoport said in reference to a question about how people outside of the Chiefs’ circle are looking at Kansas City’s free agency period.

Rapoport added this to his thoughts: “They’re going to build through the draft and they’re going to build smart, and I think last year was a unique situation where they needed a lot pieces really quickly.”

There was also a brief discussion about the philosophies of both Andy Reid and John Dorsey are coming from. It was noted Reid focused on building through the draft and signing young players to extensions early. It wasn’t until the off-season where he diverted from his plan and signed a bunch of free agents to create the “Dream Team” that Philadelphia’s success ended.

It was also pointed out Green Bay almost never signs a free agent unless they really want a particular player. Instead they focus on re-signing their own players and building through the draft. Dorsey appears to be using a hybrid of the Green Bay and Philadelphia plans.

“Both of the backgrounds of the two people in charge show you can win [without being active in free agency],” Rapoport said. “And you can win big time.”

By no means has the free agency period been an easy one to sit through but this is likely to be the new normal for the Chiefs. The draft is the new big thing for the Chiefs in the off-season, not free agency. The better the Chiefs do in the draft, the less free agency is going to mean for KC.

You can listen to the full interview with Rapoport here. It begins around the 7:50 mark and ends at 16:20.