Jan 14, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey speaks during the press conference announcing his hiring at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Will John Dorsey get deals done with Justin Houston and Alex Smith?
It is clear at this point that the priority to get a deal done with Justin Houston is a bit higher than Alex Smith given Houston’s decision to hold out of OTAs and the minicamp. This is certainly an okay thing for him to do, and it probably means that a deal to keep him in Kansas City may be close.
Keeping Houston is critical to the future success of the Chiefs, but doing so at a fair price is also crucial given the Chiefs needs up and down the roster. There is a reasonable thought Houston could receive one of the highest paid contracts for an outside linebacker in the NFL so how Dorsey is able to structure that deal to keep balance within the salary cap is going to be crucial.
Then there is the Alex Smith question: Will he stay or will he go?
Many point to the release of Brandon Flowers as being the sign that Smith will stay in Kansas City. The extra cap space should give the Chiefs the ability to front load some of Smith’s cap hit into 2014 which should open up space in future seasons as well as give the Chiefs the option to part ways with Smith should they find a young quarterback they want to invest longterm.
Smith is obviously a polarizing subject around Kansas City but it true that he is the best signal caller the Chiefs have had at least since Trent Green and more than likely the 1993 version of Joe Montana. Letting the franchises potential second or third best quarterback walk when there is a clear path towards re-signing him would be a bad move.