Sources say the Kansas City Chiefs will not be picking up Cam Erving’s contractual option for 2020, per Terez Paylor.
The Kansas City Chiefs officially have until the day before the new league year, March 17, to make their decision on whether or not to pick up the team option on offensive lineman Cameron Erving’s contract. Yahoo! Sports reporter Terez A. Paylor has early word, however, that the Chiefs have already made up their mind.
Paylor reported on Saturday that Erving is expected to hit free agency as the Chiefs will decline their team option for 2020.
Erving originally came over in a trade early in Brett Veach’s tenure as general manager from the Cleveland Browns. Veach gave up a fifth round draft choice in the 2018 draft for a chance to try to turn around Erving’s pro reputation as a first round bust.
Erving didn’t exactly live up to those early draft expectations, but he turned into a serviceable backup and spot starter for the Chiefs over the last three seasons. He started 25 games and played in 40 total at left guard, right guard and left tackle.
This coming season, Erving was going to come with a cap hit of nearly $4.7 million, an amount that was untenable for the Chiefs with so many other financial needs.
At this point, it’s hard to see a team being fooled into giving Erving serious money on the open market after both the Browns and Chiefs were willing to give up on his versatility and potential in a league that universally needs improved offensive line play. However, multiple team will undoubtedly be interested in Erving as a versatile sub with Super Bowl experience at a low price, perhaps even on a two-year deal.