The season for the Kansas City Chiefs is over, and while this is likely too soon, we have to look at the offseason ahead.
So what should we be looking for? Without going too in-depth, the Chiefs are going to have some trouble keeping this entire defense together. Let’s start with how much money the team has to work with, and then figure out who might be too expensive to keep.
As of today, Kansas City has $31.62 million in cap space should the salary cap be $150 million next season, per Over The Cap. The Chiefs also have 49 players under contract, which is key. This means Kansas City does not need to sign a bunch of filler toward the back of the roster, something that eats into cap space more than some would imagine.
The main names that are hitting the market include safeties Tyvon Branch, Eric Berry and Husain Abdullah, cornerback Sean Smith, linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson, defensive linemen Jaye Howard and Mike DeVito, offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson, quarterback Chase Daniel, and receiver Jason Avant.
Obviously, all of those players are not coming back to Arrowhead. It is impossible to imagine the Chiefs letting Berry or Johnson hit the market. Hali will likely be back should Kansas City want him to return, considering his age and willingness to take low money. With the other safeties, it is likely Branch or Abdullah, with Daniel Sorenson taking some snaps. DeVito is likely gone, along with Stephenson and Daniel. All have obvious replacements.
The big questions are Howard and Smith. Both are going to command major money. Over in Denver, Derek Wolfe just got four years and $36 million in a contract extension this week. Mike Daniels got four years and $40 million from the Green Bay Packers earlier this season. This is likely the money Howard will be getting. Considering Allen Bailey is making $6M/year, Howard might be moving on.
With Smith, the Chiefs know how valuable he is. General manager John Dorsey has to do everything in his power to bring back Smith, who is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Smith will likely cost somewhere around five years and $60 million with $30-35 million in guarantees, but he’s worth it.
Overall, Smith and Berry are the big-ticket items. Johnson and Hali should be back on team-friendly deals, and Allen is a wild card.
It’s going to be crazy in Kansas City over the next few months.