Why the Chiefs are allowing Dontari Poe to hit free agency

The ironman reputation is the first reason why Dorsey is likely allowing Poe to leave the Chiefs at this point. We’ll get to other reasons that complicate the situation further in a moment, but it’s important to note just how much Poe has played in his first five seasons in the league.

Running backs are not the only position at which repeated reps — carries, in their case — are a concern, a la pitch counts for baseball managers. During his rookie season in 2012, Poe logged 743 defensive snaps, good for 74.4% of the total snaps possible and enough for the team lead among defensive tackles. From there, the totals skyrocket.

The following year, in 2013, Poe played an astonishing 975 defensive snaps (87.8% of the total snaps possible for the Chiefs). In 2014, that percentage climbed even higher — 944 snaps (89% of the Chiefs defensive snaps). In 2015, worries like rest and back issues began to enter the picture for the first time, unsurprising due to the Chiefs use (overuse, perhaps?) of Poe’s incredible skill set. Over the last two years, Poe has logged 759 (69.8%) and 821 (73.4%) snaps, respectively.

Let’s be clear, even in 2016, Poe was the team’s anchor across the line, the most dependable lineman for the Chiefs for the last half decade and it’s not even close. Viewing Poe’s new contract through the lens of what he has done for the team will have fans very frustrated. But looking at what he is likely to do in the future brings up several question marks.

Just as general managers worry about a running back who has logged too many carries in his career, they must also be aware of a 350 lb. defensive lineman who has played 4,242 snaps in his first five seasons.