Kansas City Chiefs are listening to trade offers for Dee Ford
By Matt Conner
Justin Houston isn’t the only pass rusher available via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs. Dee Ford is now on the block if the offer is right, per Adam Schefter.
The question mark surrounding Dee Ford his offseason has largely centered on whether or not the Kansas City Chiefs would use the franchise tag on him or not—allowing him to play out another year for the Chiefs or letting him hit free agency. Adam Schefter is reporting a third option is in play: a potential trade.
The Chiefs were reportedly going to place their franchise tag on Dee Ford on Saturday, per Schefter, with the posture that they would “listen to trade offers” even as they planned on installing him into Steve Spagnuolo’s new 4-3 defense.
The Chiefs have already placed their other edge rusher, Justin Houston, on the trade block. The idea that both of the Chiefs top edge rushers could be traded creates an interesting twist on an offseason in which the entire defense is in flux. Houston was the more likely candidate to be traded or released given the large cap number, but even that would take significant adjustment as he’s been the team’s top pass rusher for several seasons.
Anyone trading for Ford would need to bring significant value back to the Chiefs given his importance and effectiveness getting after the quarterback in a league that places a premium on that very skill. Ford is due for a cap hit of just over $15 million if he plays out the season on the franchise tag.
Ford had a breakout season in 2018 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in the process. He had a career high with 13 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and 29 quarterback hits.