Chiefs Free Agency: The Week-In-Review
We’re one week into the new league year and there’s been a flurry of activity at One Arrowhead Drive. It’s fair to say that it’s taken most everyone by surprise. Given the Kansas City Chiefs’ cap situation, they were expected to be relatively quiet in the first wave of free agency. Justin Houston got hit with a non-exclusive franchise tag two weeks ago and that was to be the only significant storyline coming out of Arrowhead Stadium. Just seven days later, that’s almost become a footnote.
John Dorsey signed the best free agent wideout on the market, swung a trade for a veteran offensive lineman (who’s made two of the last four Pro Bowls), brought in a fringe starter at guard in Paul Fanaika (to an team-friendly contract), acquired rock solid safety depth in Tyvon Branch, and retained two key contributors from the Chiefs’ 2014 campaign.
Let’s review the activity-to-date:
1. WR Jeremy Maclin
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports
When the offseason began we all knew the Chiefs needed to upgrade the receiving corps (see: the stat that shall not be named.) Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb were slated to be the two best players available at the position. Despite the ties Andy Reid and John Dorsey had to Cobb and Maclin, I was confident neither of them would be coming to the Heartland. Clearly, I was wrong. Some would even argue that he snagged the better receiver of the two.
In fairness, there’s been some debate about whether or not Maclin’s actually worth a contract that averages $11 million per season. I’m not sure I have much of an argument to those who object to the signing. Maclin has only hit the 1,000-yard mark one time in five NFL seasons. He’s also had some injury concerns. I have to admit, those are legitimate concerns. Although, I think it’s always necessary to pay less attention to the total value of the contract and its annual averages than the structure of the deal. The first year of Maclin’s contract comes with a modest $3.4 million cap hit. The remaining years on the deal are significantly higher, but still well shy of the space Bowe was expected to occupy in 2015. Time will tell if this was money well spent.
2. G Ben Grubbs
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City’s GM acquired Grubbs for a fifth-round draft pick in a March 12 trade with the New Orleans Saints. Several days after the transaction, it was announced that Grubbs had been signed to a new contract (presumably to lower his 2015 cap number). At press time, details of Ben Grubbs’ new contract were still unavailable. I’m reserving judgment about the new deal until the contract specifics are known. From a pure personnel standpoint, it’s tough to argue Grubbs being a massive upgrade along the offensive line. He’s recently made twin trips to Honolulu. Grubbs may be in the twilight of his career, but he’s still an above-average starter who should anchor the left guard spot for the next couple of years.
Follow the jump to continue to the next page.