Are Ron Parker’s days numbered with the Kansas City Chiefs?

So the question remains: Will Parker be cut after the 2017 season?

Cutting Parker after this next season would save the Chiefs $5 million. As of right now, the Chiefs sit with roughly $12 million in cap space in 2018. Seeing that, you might agree that cutting their 29-year-old safety is the right move, but I’m thinking differently.

The Chiefs will have to decide after 2017 whether or not to resign punter Dustin Colquitt (an obvious yes), Dee Ford, Ramik Wilson and Jaye Howard. Those are the key players set to hit free agency. I believe they will extend Colquitt, Ford and Wilson. The good thing for the team is that none of those players should demand big money, but those signings will still bring that number down.

For a second let’s pretend the Chiefs let everyone walk and they are sitting there with $12.5 million. Dorsey and company want more money to spend on extending their guys and signing a free agent or two. Where will they get the money?

We’ll start with one of the most controversial topics in Kansas City and that is Alex Smith. Most believe they will draft a quarterback early in this year’s draft, so let’s say they do. The best thing for the Chiefs to do is let that young player sit and watch for a year and let Alex lead the team in 2017. But after 2017, it will be time to say goodbye to No. 11. After cutting Smith, the Chiefs cap number will then be at $29 million.

It may also be time to let go of two other players who’s names will someday be placed in the Ring of Honor: Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. Cutting those two players adds another $15 million in space and, as much as they are loved and respected, the NFL is a business.

There are a few more players that they may also cut to add some more space: Jah Reid ($2 million), Allen Bailey ($4 million) and Demetrius Harris ($2 milllion). After all of this, the Chiefs will have just over $50 million in cap space.

We will now circle back around to the man of the hour: Ron Parker. As I noted earlier, Parker was one of the team’s best defensive players. The question of his possible release was brought up because the organization gave Sorensen a four-year extension. Sorensen was very productive in 2016, but he and Parker bring two different sets of skills to the defense. He does not possess the cover skills that Parker has. Sorensen ranked 74th among all NFL safeties.

I think with the extra cap space and the importance of the safety position in this defense, he is a player that the organization will keep around beyond the 2017 season. Parker has improved each season he has been with the team and with that being said, it would, in my opinion, be best to keep him around through the remainder of his contract. This will also give Sutton an opportunity to groom last year’s rookie Eric Murray.

Parker is a player who has had his ups and downs, but he’s proven to be an important piece in what makes the Chiefs’ secondary great.