Chiefs offseason: Phillip Gaines and Steven Nelson are key

Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) on the line of scrimmage during the second of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41 - 39. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) on the line of scrimmage during the second of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41 - 39. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Khalif Barnes (69) blocks Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jaye Howard (96) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Khalif Barnes (69) blocks Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jaye Howard (96) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The main story this offseason is the the quest of John Dorsey to use nearly $32 million in cap space to retain many of the Kansas City Chiefs’ better players. While offensively, many of the better players will be back at Arrowhead next year, the defense could be much changed. Of the 11 men who start regularly on the defensive side of the ball, the Chiefs could lose up to five, including Jaye Howard, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, Eric Berry and Sean Smith.

Berry should, and will, be brought back by Dorsey and the Chiefs. It is likely we see veterans Johnson and Hali back in a Chiefs’ jersey also next year, but the futures of Howard and Smith are far from certain.

More from Arrowhead Addict

Both are hoping to test the open market and see what money they can get. Smith could well be the best corner out there, if Josh Norman isn’t allowed out of Carolina as expected, and will be looking at the Byron Maxwell contract or more with this being his last chance of a huge payout.

The Chiefs can afford such a contract, but if Berry, Johnson and Hali are all re-signed, it could well be at the expense of Howard, Allen and incoming free agents. Smith is worth the money. The issue is so is Howard, and if it comes down to one or the other, who do you chose?

Next: Analyzing the situation