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Kansas City Chiefs officially exercise Dee Ford’s fifth year option

By Matt Conner

Sep 1, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) high fives young fans before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) high fives young fans before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs have officially decided to bring back Dee Ford for a fifth year by exercising his contract option before the NFL’s deadline.

There were pros and cons for the Kansas City Chiefs to consider concerning Dee Ford’s fifth year option. As with every first round rookie these days, Ford’s initial deal came with four years guaranteed and an optional fifth year for the team to exercise heading into the last guaranteed season. Basically it forces the team to make a decision about whether or not this player is worth being paid among the NFL’s highest at his position.

In the case of Ford, the verdict is still out in terms of whether or not the Auburn product deserves a long-term, big-money extension. However, the Chiefs know enough to know they should exercise Ford’s option, which they did officially on Monday.

Through nine games last season, Ford led the NFL in sacks with 10 and seemed like he’d truly blossomed in his third NFL season since being named the Chiefs first round pick in 2014. Unfortunately for the Chiefs and Ford himself, he had zero sacks down the stretch after Justin Houston’s return from injury. Being forced to the other side of the defense (as well as a nagging hamstring injury) kept Ford from showing off his talents for a full season.

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The option gives the Chiefs the security of knowing Ford could be around for the 2018 season if they so choose without giving him guaranteed dollars until next March. Before the new league year, the Chiefs could still cut Ford without penalty if he fails to show off any real pass rushing prowess in 2017. The reality, however, is that Ford is likely to continue to develop and the Chiefs are likely to want to work out some sort of long-term deal with Ford, especially as Tamba Hali gets closer to retiring.

Ford, who just turned 26-years-old, has 15.5 career sacks in his three years with the Chiefs.

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