Dontari Poe rumors: Falcons, Colts, Raiders among free agent suitors
By Matt Conner
Kansas City Chiefs
Why it would work: Any list has to begin with the most familiar territory because the Chiefs have left the door open for a return. Dorsey let Jamaal Charles walk with a heartfelt goodbye and nothing more, but with a player like Poe, he mentioned how much he hated to lose him and that he would like to have him back in the right circumstances. Dorsey did the same last year with Sean Smith, who eventually signed with the Raiders for more money than the Chiefs could afford. It’s impossible to tell at this point how much the Chiefs would be willing to go for a player like Poe, but suffice it to say that Dorsey has to have some number in mind to even float the possibility.
Poe’s return to Kansas City would also provide a seamless transition for everything that fans never think about: moving family, renting or buying a new home, uprooting kids from schools, becoming familiar with the ins and outs of a brand new place. Money isn’t everything, although let’s be honest that it is most of it. Some consideration has to be given as to whether a player even likes a particular city or state or region, including the culture, the food scene, the weather, the distance from other important places and people. Staying in K.C. would allow Poe to not worry about any of that — from his favorite restaurants to community work.
Poe would also be able to maintain the chemistry he’s developed along the line, remain with a winning team and not have the burden of learning a new playbook, developing a new routine, adjusting to what players beside him know or don’t know.
Why it wouldn’t work: Rumors have been floated, perhaps by Poe’s agent, that he would be willing to play somewhere on a one-year deal and then hit the market again next year. In concert with those rumors is the hope that Poe can showcase his pass rushing abilities with the new team in order to help build his market value as more than just a two-down run stuffing defensive tackle. If Poe can come away with five-plus sacks in 2017, he’ll hit the market as a 27-year-old who can man the middle and also collapse the pocket. The difference is likely several million more.
The Chiefs are not going to be that team who adjusts their defensive scheme to fit a player’s personal stat goals, even if they were a contender to sign Poe for a one-year deal (also not likely). If anything, Poe’s pass rushing prowess, or at least his permission, has regressed with the Chiefs, down to only 1.5 sacks last year after some more promising numbers early on.
Odds: 10-1