Chiefs remain built for the future

Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) leads the offense against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) leads the offense against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 11
Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans show their support during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans show their support during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With the Chiefs being unable to sign safety Eric Berry to a long-term contract extension, a very real aspect of the salary-cap era came into focus for Chiefs Kingdom…you can’t re-sign ’em all.  Regardless of any of the details regarding the contract talks, and regardless of my personal view on the situation, the prevailing result is that the Chiefs were unwilling or unable to pay the asking price.

More from Kansas City Chiefs News

And with a team as loaded with talent as this one is right now, Chiefs fans should probably get used to that being a common theme.  That isn’t to say the Chiefs won’t pay for any of their stars.  They’ve already proven with Justin Houston, Jeremy Maclin, Alex Smith, Travis Kelce, and others that they are more than willing to open the checkbook when the situation is right.

Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

But that means the Chiefs also need to be able to keep a steady stream of young (and affordable) talent coming through the door.  To that end, John Dorsey has actually done a pretty admirable job.  Through whatever means at his disposal, the Chiefs have managed to find talented players to build a very strong roster.

Free agency, trades, the draft, undrafted free agents, waiver claims, cross sport athletes…John Dorsey has gone just about every route imaginable when it comes to building this roster.  And the result has been a surprisingly long list of players that seem likely to be mainstays on this roster for a long time to come.

At the very least, an argument can be made that the Chiefs have the foundation for the future of Kansas City football.

Next: In Kansas City, We Run The Rock

Schedule