Most Perplexing Kansas City Chiefs Offseason Questions
By Ben Nielsen
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks to quarterback Chase Daniel (10) on the sidelines during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
7. Who’s Behind Alex Smith
Alex Smith is going to be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2015, like it or not. The question becomes what the Chiefs do with the roster spots behind Smith.
Chase Daniel proved on Sunday to be a capable backup but he’s not the future of the Chiefs at quarterback. Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray are the two young prospects at the position but their upside is thought to be more along the lines of a backup quarterback than a future franchise quarterback.
Dorsey also has to consider the salary cap situation. Daniel has a $4.8 million cap hit next season and the Chiefs need some of that room in order to re-sign key free agents and make some moves to fill holes. How much do the Chiefs believe in Murray and Bray to hold down the fort as the backup quarterbacks?
Further, the Chiefs have 11 draft picks this year. A guy like Garrett Grayson in the second round could be in the cards for the Chiefs as their future starting quarterback. Grayson has a lot of the tools teams look for in a starting quarterback but he needs a year or two to develop. Given the Chiefs’ situation with Smith that might be a perfect set up for both him and Kansas City.
No matter what, the Chiefs are going to have to make some decisions at quarterback with an eye towards the future. Daniel may be the odd man out of that vision.