Frank Zombo could be on Kansas City Chiefs roster bubble

Adam Teicher of ESPN says that Frank Zombo is likely a cap casualty once the Chiefs find out what they have in newer imports at outside linebacker.

In an ideal world, one in which each and every prospect develops just as hoped and projected, Frank Zombo would already be out of a job with the Kansas City Chiefs.

That’s nothing personal at all against Zombo (and we’ll defend him here in a bit), but the Chiefs have made considerable investments at outside linebacker in recent years in an attempt to free up Justin Houston by surrounding him with high-ceiling talents. It’s just that things haven’t quite worked out as expected.

It’s been four years since the Chiefs first brought in Dee Ford to be the future sack artist opposite Houston, and it was a perfect scenario on paper. He could learn behind Tamba Hali before taking over, yet Ford could never quite master the other necessary parts of the job and Hali got an extension.

Last year, Tanoh Kpassagnon was the team’s second round pick, a developmental prospect who would take some time, but the hope there was also to help bolster a position of need now that Ford wasn’t exactly working out as planned. This year, Brett Veach made his first ever draft pick at the same position with Breeland Speaks, a heavier edge player who can play along the line or standing up.

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Between one first round pick and two second round picks, someone simply has to step up and start across from Justin Houston. And even then those other guys need to develop into useful rotational parts, guys who can come in and rush the passer to help improve the Chiefs front seven. If all goes well, then, that leaves little room for a guy like Zombo.

Zombo was brought in to bolster the position and play special teams back in 2013 and the Chiefs have yet to be able to replace him. The former Packers player has become a reliable veteran who can step up in a pinch and be ready to play. He might not be flashy, but he often gets the job done to little fanfare, and he’s a favorite of Dave Toub on special teams.

Zombo is never out of position or caught making a major mistake. He’s focused on the details. He’s a gritty veteran who does exactly what’s asked for the last five years, and there’s always room for players like that on a team. Football is a war of attrition, as they say, and a guy like Zombo is always more valuable than most fans will ever realize.

Still, ESPN analyst Adam Teicher believes Zombo is on the outs. He writes:

"The team might keep Zombo around because of his experience, but that may be a luxury they decide they can’t afford — his contract calls for a base salary of $920,000."

For not even a cool million, the Chiefs would have to know that the young players are absolutely ready to let Zombo go, in my opinion. At some point the team has to trust them and let them play, but Zombo has been such a valuable safety net.

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Unless there’s a serious roster issue that precludes them from keeping someone at the position, or they’re really unable to stomach the very limited financial hit, I find it hard to see Zombo being left out.

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