The Kansas City Chiefs have a number of veterans who may be playing their final games with the team.
The Kansas City Chiefs just wrapped up one of their most successful regular seasons in team history. At 14-2, the team finished with the best record in franchise history. They also finished the season with their second top-seed in the last three years. This achievement gives them the AFC’s only bye week, usually a major advantage for the a team looking to win a championship.
With the close of another season comes the usual questions like how the team will fare in the playoffs or how they will address needs in the offseason. One that is particularly poignant for the Chiefs this season is which veteran players may be taking their final snaps with the team?
Alex Okafor
About a year ago at this time, Alex Okafor was the starting left defensive end across from Frank Clark. After signing a three-year deal with the team, Okafor took some time to get going but had five sacks and nine quarterback hits in his first 10 games. He looked to be just heating up for the Chiefs stretch run.
As was the case with a number of starters last season, Okafor suffered a season-ending injury against the Denver Broncos in the 14th game of the regular season. During the offseason, the Chiefs restructured Okafor’s deal from a three-year deal down to a two-year deal creating some much needed cap room.
With the development and consistency from Tanoh Kpassagnon, Okafor never regained his starting spot. With Clark’s and Chris Jones’ contracts eating up a huge percentage of the cap, along with the addition of Mike Danna, Okafor is a prime candidate to leave in free agency in the coming offseason.
Mike Pennel
Mike Pennel was a rather fortuitous signing for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. In late October, Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs defensive staff were still trying to solidify their interior rotation. Through the first several games, while the passing defense had improved, the run defense was following the path of the 2018 Chiefs defense.
They were one of the worst in the league and it was most apparent when they played the Indianapolis Colts in week five. In that game, the Chiefs defense surrendered four yards a carry to the tune of 180 total yards. They could not stop the Colts’ rushing attack and it ended in one of the uglier losses the Chiefs had all season.
Pennel went on to play in eight games for the Chiefs last season, and while the run defense wasn’t exactly stellar, it was improved. Pennel’s presence was a factor in the late season run that ended in the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance and victory in 50 seasons.
The Chiefs have a bevy of players at the position including surprise newcomer Tershawn Wharton. Pennel has continued his solid play in 2020, and would likely be a welcome addition back to the team at the right price. I’m guessing that price will be low given the cap situation heading into 2021 and 2022 and the likelihood the team will try to extend Derrick Nnadi this offseason.
Tanoh Kpassagnon
Tanoh Kpassagnon is a nice story for players coming from smaller schools and getting a serious shot at the professional level. He spent his college days playing at Villanova, a division one program in basketball but an FCS program in football. The jump from any level to the NFL is a large one, but especially so for anyone outside of division one.
Kpassagnon’s premier athleticism jumped off the tape at Villanova, as he tossed FCS offensive linemen aside on his way to the quarterback, and this was his golden ticket to a second-round draft selection. Some thought he was too much of a developmental prospect for the pick, but his freakish frame and athleticism were too tempting for John Dorsey to pass up.
After playing in college along the defensive line, Kpassagnon played the first two years at outside linebacker in the Chiefs 3-4 scheme. He never settled into the role and had some thinking he might not make the cut with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo coming to town.
Fortunately for Kpassagnon, Spagnuolo was partial to long defensive lineman. He started slow in 2019, but finished the regular season and playoffs strong enough to garner a starting position along the defensive line in 2020.
There are a number of players along the defensive line who may find themselves on the outside looking in for the 2021 season. It’s possible Kpassagnon returns if he is willing to accept a reasonable deal. If the Chiefs aren’t the only team bidding, I’d expect Kpassagnon to be wearing different colors next season.
Bashaud Breeland
Bashaud Breeland has an interesting history with the Kansas City Chiefs. After appearing to be on the cusp of signing in 2018, visiting and staying with the team what seemed a number of days, Breeland surprised most by signing with the Green Bay Packers. Coming off an injury, Breeland was only able to play a handful of games and didn’t generate a ton of interest in the 2019 offseason.
Fortunately, for both Breeland and the Chiefs, a deal materialized and Breeland accepted. After a slow start to the 2019 season, Breeland became one of the more consistent cornerbacks for the Chiefs. In particular, he had a stellar Super Bowl performance which was integral to the Chiefs victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
Once again, somewhat surprisingly given the need for cornerbacks the league over, Breeland did not generate significant interest in the 2020 offseason. Given the circumstances, the Chiefs were able to sign him to a team-friendly deal. After serving an early season suspension for an offseason incident, Breeland has again shown himself to be a quality starter with two interceptions and nine passes defended.
There’s always the chance that a similar situation to the past two offseasons occurs, and Breeland is back with the Chiefs for another one-year stint. It’s unlikely the team would sign him to a long-term deal, as the cap situation in 2021 and 2022 will be a bit dicey due to the consequences of COVID.
Ultimately, given Breeland’s age of 28 and his consistency over the last two seasons I’d expect a couple teams to place a bid on him in this coming offseason. If that’s the case, he’s likely playing his last snaps for the Chiefs in the coming NFL Playoffs.
Demarcus Robinson
Demarcus Robinson has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs, after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 draft by the team. Robinson was a great athlete coming out of the University of Florida, and this is usually what draws Andy Reid and the Chiefs front office to a wide receiver.
Unlike Tyreek Hill, drafted in the fifth round of the same draft likely for similar reasons, Robinson has struggled to develop into a consistent threat at wide receiver. Each season, Robinson will live up to his potential for a game or two, like his 200-yard performance against the Raiders in 2019, but then he’ll fade into the background for the rest of the season.
His 2019 production was his best by far, as he set or matched career highs in catches, yards and touchdowns. Most thought he was primed for a long-term deal with another team desperate for wide receivers, but no deal ever materialized.
Robinson is a locker room guy from all appearances, and seems to be a close friend of Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately, his presence comes at the expense of second-round draft pick Mecole Hardman’s opportunities. Byron Pringle has also shown flashes and could benefit with more consistent snap counts.
While Hardman has himself struggled, it’s likely the team wants to give him more opportunities going forward. It seems at times they’d like to do the same with Pringle. It’s possible Robinson returns on another team-friendly deal this offseason, but if there are multiple bidders, I’d guess that’s unlikely.
Mitchell Schwartz
Mitchell Schwartz has been a fan favorite in Kansas City and one of the most consistent players in the NFL for his entire career. From his time in Cleveland to his time with Kansas City he had started an incredible 134 games straight.
Schwartz would obviously be welcomed back to the Chiefs for as long as he wants to play. The question for him this offseason is whether his body can continue to take the regular season and playoff beating that comes along with playing offensive line for the Chiefs.
This seemingly was never in question, at least in the short term, until Schwartz missed the final 10 games of this season with lingering back problems. It’s possible these can be addressed in the offseason, but it would seem they aren’t minor given one of the sports iron men missed so many games.
The report is the Chiefs are not expecting him back for the playoffs, which adds credence to the idea his back problems are serious. Factor in Schwartz’s age at 31, and it’s reasonable to wonder what his long-term plans are.
Back injuries tend to be particularly problematic for offensive linemen. Both Schwartz and the Chiefs front office will have a lot to think about this offseason. Losing Schwartz would be a blow to an offensive line already somewhat thin when it comes to top-end talent, but it’s also possible his best days, physically speaking, are behind him.