Allen Bailey unlikely to return to Kansas City Chiefs in 2019

The Chiefs had reported interest in bringing back veteran Allen Bailey in 2019, but the trade for Frank Clark has likely thrown those ideas aside.

Despite the fact that defensive end Allen Bailey was allowed to hit free agency, rumors persisted that the Kansas City Chiefs were interested in bringing him back all along. Now, however, it looks as if Bailey is going to have to find a new team to play for—the first such instance after eight full seasons in the National Football League.

Bailey has already played through two full four-year contracts with the Chiefs since he was selected by Scott Pioli in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Even last year, he was an effective end and set a career high in sacks with 6 playing on the same front as Chris Jones.

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On Wednesday, however, the Chiefs swung a deal with the Seattle Seahawks to bring in defensive end Frank Clark to be their new primary pass rusher and paid him accordingly. Not only does it add to the depth chart at end, but it also eats up significant money. The addition of Clark, then, likely means that there’s no more room for Bailey.

A quick look at the depth chart shows that the roster will already be crowded in any attempts pare it down to the 53-man version in September. New defensive coordinator has carried between 9 and 10 defensive linemen over the years. Here’s how things would play out right now in K.C.

Defensive ends: Alex Okafor, Frank Clark, Emmanuel Ogbah, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Breeland Speaks, Cavon Walker, Henry Mondeaux
Defensive interior: Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Xavier Williams, Justin Hamilton, Joey Ivie

It’s already too easy to cull together nine names and leave off three players currently on the roster, and end is the position that’s most filled. If the Chiefs bring back Bailey, they’d likely end trying to trade a developmental player they’ve drafted in the last two offseasons (Kpassagnon or Speaks), which makes zero sense financially or developmentally.

Instead, Bailey has already heard from other potential suitors including the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. He’s even taken visits at these places, and the Seahawks could be an interesting new home. After all, they have an open spot on the roster vacated by Clark, and Bailey could become a part of the solution. Then again, any of the aforementioned teams make a lot of sense.

At any rate, the Chiefs are likely to only add to the competition via the draft and rookie free agents which means a homecoming for Bailey makes little to no sense at this point. Bailey did enjoy a very solid eight years here, but continuing into a ninth pro season looks like it will require a change of scenery.

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