The Chiefs’ reality moving forward

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) looks on during a stop in play against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the offseason, most of the free agents on Kansas City play defense. The only offensive free agents of note are Stephenson and Allen, and it seems pretty clear that they will both be giving their walking papers.

The defense is where many of the tough decisions lie, including Husain Abdullah, Derrick Johnson, Mike DeVito, Tamba Hali, Tyvon Branch, Eric Berry, Jaye Howard and Sean Smith. If Dorsey does not believe in this teams and sees the need for a total makeover, we will know with how he handles this crop.

My guess? Branch, DeVito, Hali and Johnson are gone. Dorsey will do his best to sign Smith, and makes sure that Howard and Berry stay in house. Abdullah is the wild card. I believe Dorsey would love to bring him back, but only at the right price. It’s time to get a bit younger, and Abdullah, DeVito, Hali and Johnson are all in their 30s.

Kansas City has enjoyed great careers from Johnson and Hali, but the former is not getting any younger and the latter is done. Hali has given everything he has, and it is time to hang up the cleats. Dee Ford needs an opportunity to show what he has, for better or worse. DeVito can also be allowed to walk with the idea being that Howard, Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe would be a nasty defensive line.

If Smith and Berry are retained, the secondary would be Smith and Marcus Peters on the corners with Berry and Ron Parker at safety. Certainly, the defense would still have ample talent at all three levels.

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