Dorsey’s List: Chiefs free agency
By Brandon Fry
Dorseys List:
Eric Berry – Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after just playing six games in 2014 which obviously ended his season. What Berry did was defy the odds by not only returning for the 2015 season but playing at an incredibly high level that earned him a spot at the Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro distinction.
Sean Smith – Smith has been a major free-agency win for the Chiefs being one of the first players Dorsey signed after joining Kansas City. Smith outplayed his three-year, $18 million contract as he was considered one of the better cornerbacks in the league and won’t be looking to take another discount says cap expert Joel Corry, who spoke to Matt Verderame in January for AA. “He’s also a guy that was in the worst free-agent cornerback market in recent memory. Nobody his year got over $6 million a year, so he’s not taking a discount — he’s a straight, highest-bidder guy.”
Sean Smith could be another Chiefs player that switches from red and gold to silver and black. The Raiders have a major need at corner and a ton of cap to spend.
Derrick Johnson – Johnson who led the Chiefs in solo tackles with 95 is now 33 years old and a free agent. This decision doesn’t get any easier for Kansas City as the veteran just made his fourth Pro Bowl and seems to still have a few more good years of football left in him. Johnson has served as a tackling machine and leader on this defense for years, the Chiefs would have a huge hole if they had to replace him.
Corry also commented on Derrick Johnson in saying that a comparable deal that Johnson could be looking at would be Cleveland signing Karlos Dansby to a four-year $24 million contract with $12 million guaranteed.
Tamba Hali – He’s 32 and played through a bunch of injuries last year at a high enough level to earn another trip to the Pro Bowl. The Chiefs now have to ask themselves if they are ready to make a full-time commitment to their former first round pick Dee Ford or get a contract extension done to retain Hali’s services.
He’s a an emotional leader with a killer work ethic that seems to be contagious with these other pass rushers. Kansas City would certainly miss Hali if he retires or can’t agree on a contract with him.
Jaye Howard – The defensive end out of Florida registered 57 combined tackles which was 14th-best among linemen in the league. Stats that made him pop up on a lot of team’s radars before he heads into free agency. It’s been said recently that the Chiefs and Howard have remained active in talks in getting a deal done and the Chiefs are aware they would be missing a great young talent if they lost him. Just another difficult decision as Kansas City’s front office continues juggling cap space with good players wanting their big contracts.
These are the biggest name free agents the Chiefs have to make decisions on. As you can see there’s really no easy choices because there would be rather large holes at every spot where there’s a free agent. This is where smart front offices put themselves ahead of the rest of their competition. This is an offseason that could catapult the Chiefs into further success or derail them.
That’s what’s on my mind, Addicts, what’s on yours?