Report: Chiefs Cut Donnie Avery
The Kansas City Chiefs have cut WR Donnie Avery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Via Twitter:
Source: #Chiefs are cutting veteran WR Donnie Avery, which saves them $3.4M against the cap. Expected to target that position this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 17, 2015
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Despite the fact that the Chiefs are just a few roster cuts away from having to pay Dontari Poe to play WR for them, Avery was way too expensive for the production (or lack-thereof) he was giving the Chiefs.
In two seasons playing for KC, Avery recorded 55 receptions 772 yards, with most of his production coming during the 2013 season.
The Chiefs certainly need help at WR but they can easily get the production Avery was giving them for much, much cheaper.
KC also needs money if it wants to re-sign OLB Justin Houston. Houston, who damn near broke the NFL’s single-season sack record last year, is expected to receive the franchise tag. Still, you have to believe Chiefs GM John Dorsey would rather lock up Houston for the long haul if he can.
The Chiefs have plenty of decisions to make at various positions as the offseason marches on. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team try to renegotiate WR Dwaye Bowe’s contract. Bowe is drastically overpaid and even thought he is no longer producing like a no. 1 WR, the former LSU Tiger is still talented enough to help the Chiefs in certain situations. Since signing a high-priced veteran WR in free agency will likely not be possible given the team’s salary cap situation, the Chiefs’ best hope is to retain Bowe at a more reasonable value and to pair him up with a rookie WR or cheap veteran.
Chances are the team will be taking a WR in this year’s NFL Draft and as Rapoport mentioned, KC will be looking very closely at the WR prospects at the NFL combine this week in Indianapolis.
What do you think, Addicts? Was cutting Avery the right move or are the Chiefs in no position to be giving up on veteran WR options?