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Kansas City Chiefs: Say goodbye to Sean Smith and Jaye Howard

By Lyle Graversen

Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard (96) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard (96) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Jaye Howard was the most productive defensive lineman in Kansas City last season. While not everything a defensive lineman does shows up on a stat sheet, take a look at these numbers from last season.

Jaye Howard: 57 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks
Allen Bailey: 38 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks
Dontari Poe: 39 combined tackles, 1.0 sacks
Mike DeVito: 19 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks

I’d love to have Jaye Howard back in Kansas City next season. I actually believe his best seasons may still be in front of him. Once again the problem is that Howard and his agent surely feel the same way. There has been some speculation that Howard will likely be looking for a deal similar to Denver’s Derek Wolfe (4 years/36.7 million). While that is probably a fair deal for Howard it probably isn’t a realistic deal for the Chiefs to offer.

Just last year the Chiefs gave Allen Bailey a four year and $25 million contract extension and Dontari Poe is going to be a free agent a year from now. While Poe may not have put up stats at the rate Howard did this season, his contributions are so much more valuable than the stat line shows. Poe is a unique physical specimen who simply can’t be easily replaced. He’s also two years younger than Howard.

I simply do not see how the Chiefs can give big contracts to Bailey, Poe, and Howard. While the defensive line is a vital part of a team you simply can’t put that much of the team’s salary cap all in one position group. So the question becomes would you rather the Chiefs keep Dontari Poe or Jaye Howard? While I’m a huge Howard fan, I have to pick Poe, his talents are just too unique. That means you have to let Howard walk.

While the thought of letting players like Smith and Howard walk is frightening, you have to put your faith in the man that brought them both to Kansas City, John Dorsey. The reason the Chiefs had such a deep roster this season that was able to overcome several key injuries is because Dorsey has found players like Smith and Howard that outperformed their contracts.

The only way to maintain that kind of roster is if you continue to find those under-the-radar signings. If you keep handing out high dollar contracts to everyone you eventually run out of money to spend. If KC wants to keep players like Poe, Travis Kelce, etc. they have to be willing to let some players walk.

The Chiefs can likely re-sign Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Jeff Allen for the combined cost of what it would take to sign either Smith or Howard. Those are the types of signings that keep your options open and allow you to build a complete roster. Then the Chiefs have to trust Dorsey to go out and find the next Sean Smith and the next Jaye Howard. I also believe KC will re-sign Eric Berry to a long term deal, but that’s a discussion for another day.

So what do you think, Addicts? Do you think Smith or Howard will be back in KC next season? Do you think letting them walk is the right thing to do? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!

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