Kansas City Chiefs: Surveying the cap situation
In this salary cap world of the NFL, handling complicated, expensive and sometimes damaging contracts has become one of the most important jobs of a general manager. Being able to spend resources carefully, with great consideration and thought, while also being able to keep hold of the best players on the roster is a fine line to tread.
Some general managers are notoriously tough on big-money contracts, others are much more willing to splash the cash at the detriment of future seasons. Just look at the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees’ killer contract. The Kansas City Chiefs, at this point in time, do not have much money to spare either this season or the next, and it could result in a very stable roster.
The Chiefs have $1,297, 774 in cap space, per OvertheCap. That is not a lot to work with. However, with the roster mostly set, bar a couple of late free-agent pickups, it is enough for the Chiefs to work with. There aren’t going to be many more big money moves from any organization between now and the start of the season now that free agency and the draft are in the rear view mirror.
Furthermore, this number includes Eric Berry’s $10.8 million franchise tag. This will significantly decrease if a long-term deal is reached.
The next season is where the worry tends to set in. The Chiefs have only $4,684,782 cap space, good for third-worst in the league. Now, the only major free agents that the Chiefs would have to sign that year are Berry and Dontari Poe, so in terms of potential outgoing players, it is a nice situation to be in.
Of the players that are already signed to the roster, only Eric Fisher and Jamaal Charles could be cut with no dead money. The next in line would be fullback Anthony Sherman, tight end Demetrius Harris, inside linebacker Josh Mauga and punter Dustin Colquitt. Each would bring in $1.8 million, $1.05 million, $3 million and $4.8 million in cap savings respectively with the dead money sitting at $500K, $400K $750K and $800K.
Cutting one or more of these players would give Dorsey a little more cap room to account for Berry’s new contract and then would give him space to resign Poe if he wishes.
What is clear, though, is that the core of this roster is unlikely to change over the next two seasons. Dorsey should be praised to the hills and back for the wonderful job he has done in building a quality roster after inheriting a cap mess.
Continuity is something that is often talked about. As we enter the fourth year of Andy Reid, Alex Smith and Dorsey, the Chiefs are set for the foreseeable future.
Is this roster capable of winning a divisional title and then a Super Bowl? Yes, it is. The Chiefs have their share of weaknesses, but they also have plenty of strengths, and with a little bit of luck and good coaching, we could be watching the beginning of a Super Bowl challenger over the coming two seasons.
Continuity is the key, and the Chiefs will be rolling with a very solid roster.