As has been well chronicled, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a lot of work to do this offseason in order to keep, and build upon, the core roster of players which has been so successful for head coach Andy Reid and the two-time defending AFC Champions.
The Chiefs need to work to keep as much of the roster intact as possible, yet also recognize that growth and improvement is necessary at key positions, including the interior offensive line, offensive tackle (depth, at least), edge rusher, and cornerback. To do this will require significant cap management strategies, as the Chiefs are currently projected to be more than $19 million over the 2021 salary cap, despite having a bevy of openings which will be left by free agents and the need to sign April’s draft class.
By restructuring contracts (see Eric Fisher and Frank Clark), extending players who are nearing free agency (see Tyrann Mathieu), and converting money to signing bonus (see Patrick Mahomes), Veach should be able to create enough cap flexibility to keep the Chiefs in play for not only their own free agents but also for low-to-mid-tier veterans when the league opens up for bidding next month.
How the Chiefs can create money and what they might do externally in free agency will be covered in future writings, but for now we’ve taken a look at pending free agents, and categorized them by how likely (or unlikely) they are to return to Kansas City next season.
If you’re unfamiliar, free agents have one of many designations which alter their ability to sign in other places. According to NFL.com:
"Unrestricted free agent (UFA): Any player with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract; free to negotiate and sign with any team. Restricted free agent (RFA): A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers (“tenders”) that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If the tender is withdrawn by a team, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent. In 2020, teams must submit these tenders before 4 p.m. ET on March 18. These amounts change annually; the following numbers are for the 2020 season. Players can choose either (a) or (b) regardless of which is greater in the applicable tenders below. Exclusive rights free agent (ERFA): Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams."
Chiefs free agents likely to return
Byron Pringle, Wide Receiver (ERFA)
The fact that Pringle is an ERFA essentially guarantees he’ll be staying, unless the Chiefs do not want him under any circumstances. Since joining the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent prior to the 2018 season, Pringle has carved out a nice role for himself as a special teams ace who makes big play consistently for Dave Toub’s units.
In 2020, he also played a larger role in the offense, seeing the field regularly in the absence of Sammy Watkins, and winning over the support of WR1 Tyreek Hill. With both Watkins and Demarcus Robinson likely leaving as unrestricted free agents themselves, Pringle’s continued growth in the offense, and his projected low contract numbers, will likely keep him in K.C. in 2021 (and beyond).
Mike Remmers, Offensive Lineman (UFA)
Despite the Super Bowl meltdown, many Chiefs offensive linemen played well in 2020, and that applies (perhaps most aptly) to journeyman Mike Remmers. The nine-year NFL veteran signed with Kansas City as a reserve tackle and ended up playing in 13 games, including 10 starts, this season with the injury to right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Remmers will be 32 when the season starts and could be signing his last NFL contract this spring. He’ll likely look for a raise and an additional year over what he signed to come to Kansas City (1 year, $1.05 million), but should stick with the team in the 2 year, $3.5 million range.
Austin Reiter, Center (UFA)
The future of starting center Austin Reiter may depend on what Kansas City does in the NFL Draft this April, but Reiter is unlikely to be an early signee and Veach should be able to wait until after the draft to resign him. Can the Chiefs upgrade the center position of Reiter? Almost certainly. But, will they? Andy Reid loves consistency and seems loyal to vets and Reiter is both. He’s started 33 of 37 games since the start of the 2019 season, and he’s played reasonably well for the team in that span. The team is likely to keep him in the fold, barring the use of an early draft pick on a replacement.
Andrew Wylie, Offensive Lineman (RFA)
Retweet everything said above about Reiter and apply it to Wylie. Wylie has started in 40 games (including the playoffs) for Kansas City since joining the team in 2018. He provides good depth for the team and experience in the system that Andy Reid has traditionally valued. While we expect to see Kansas City upgrade its offensive line this year, we should also expect them to retain experienced depth on the roster moving forward. The fact that Wylie is a RFA, meaning that the Chiefs hold his leverage on the market, makes it seem easier for them to bring him back unless another team surprises Wylie with a larger offer.
Taco Charlton, Edge Rusher (UFA)
While injuries limited Charlton to only seven games for Kansas City in 2020, it could come as a benefit to Veach when he tries to re-sign him. Charlton flashed some of his former first-round ability in limited playing time, including recording two sacks and four quarterback hits this season. Because he failed to put up consistent production, however, he’s likely to once again be available for a one-year, discounted rate contract. This seems like the sort of low-risk, high-reward resigning that the Chiefs have consistently made over the last several years.
Damien Wilson, Linebacker (UFA)
With just a $3.2 million salary in 2020, Wilson represents a low-cost veteran with starting experience who Kansas City is almost assuredly looking to sign. The expectation will be that Anthony Hitchens and Willie Gay, Jr. will take the majority of the reps at linebacker in 2021, but Wilson provides important veteran presence in the linebacker’s room and on the field for the Chiefs. With the expectation that the team upgrades from reserve linebacker Ben Niemann this offseason, it would be surprising to see them angle for more turnover in the room, especially given that Wilson is likely to return for a relatively modest salary.
Bashaud Breeland, Cornerback (UFA)
After an offseason arrest, Chiefs starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland had trouble finding suitors on the free agent market, and returned to Kansas City on a one year, $3 million deal. Breeland played in only 11 games this season, and was relatively effective. However, he did not necessarily play himself into the contract upgrade the 29 year old might have hoped for. With the Chiefs again looking for another young upgrade in the cornerback room, look for them to give Breeland another one year deal with similar money to ensure experience and depth at the position.
Daniel Sorensen, Safety (UFA)
In what feels a bit like a broken record, the Chiefs value Sorensen’s veteran presence and playmaking ability. Sorensen is often a liability in coverage, but with Juan Thornhill returning to form at season’s end, ideally the 8th-year pro isn’t asked to do that as much moving forward. Despite that limitation, there is no denying that Sorensen is a valuable member of the defense with a knack for making big plays at crucial moments. Unless he gets a bigger offer elsewhere, look for the Chiefs to bring back their veteran safety on a two-year, $8 million deal.
Nick Keizer, Tight End (ERFA)
Keizer was cast into the TE2 role in 2020 and seemed to develop well throughout the season. Certainly the Chiefs could use a bigger receiving threat in this role, but with the exclusive rights condition only requiring Kansas City to offer the league minimum here, even if they did sign a receiving threat to fill the TE2 role moving forward, it seems likely they’d bring Keizer back in a reserve role.
Alex Brown, Cornerback (ERFA)
Brown appeared in six games (including the playoffs) in 2019 and no games in 2020 for Kansas City after tearing his ACL in the preseason and spending the year on Injured Reserve. It seems like a near certainty that the Chiefs bring back this ERFA, with so little cost necessary to do so.
Darrel Williams, Running Back (RFA)
‘The Barrel’ showed flashes of really excellent play in 2020 while rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire was on the shelf, even in a reserve capacity while spelling him in the postseason. The Chiefs would like to keep all three of Damien, Darrel and CEH. That may prove cost prohibitive and the team may end up having to choose between Damien and Darrel (they could cut Damien). Darrel’s restricted free agent label increases the chances they can keep him for less than market value, as teams may prefer to draft someone with higher upside rather than give up a draft pick to sign him—depending on what tender the Chiefs apply here.
Chiefs free agents as likely to return as not
Anthony Sherman, Fullback (UFA)
Sherman fits the mold of what the Chiefs typically keep on the roster: a reliable veteran presence who does his job well and is a good special teams addition. The question here is if he fits into Veach’s budget. Sherman doesn’t make much, but he does make more than a younger player would. Given his lack of playing time, the team could certainly move on. However, his odds are likely greater to return if he truly is willing to take less money to chase rings, as he told Good Morning Football on Friday.
Demarcus Robinson, Wide Receiver (UFA)
Last offseason it seemed like Robinson was destined to leave Kansas City and get a decent contract offer from another club. However, like many wideouts on last year’s free agent market, the offer never came and the Chiefs were able to bring Robinson back on a team-friendly, $2.1 million deal. With another deep draft and free agent class at the position, it’s possible that the five year veteran is in the same boat this spring. If that’s the case, it’s fair to suspect he may be back in K.C. once again.
Deon Yelder, Tight End (RFA)
It seems like every year we think Kansas City is going to invest in a TE2 and then we end up with guys like Nick Keizer and Deon Yelder. I’m over guessing that we’re going to bring in a legit number two man behind Kelce, and I’m now resigned to the fact that cheap contracts and non-receiving threats are the direction the team is heading on this position, in perpetuity. With Keizer under contract, someone will be the Chiefs third tight end in 2021, it could easily be Yelder on another minimum-type deal. As a restricted free agent, the Chiefs hold the right of first refusal so we’ll know what they think of him soon.
Keleche Osemele, Guard (UFA)
It was unfortunate that the Chiefs only got to have Osemele on the starting line for five games in 2020. He was outstanding through the season’s first five weeks and was well on his way to earning another contract this spring. Injury cost him the rest of the season, and as a result, it’s possible (if not probable) that he’s looking at another one-year, prove-it type deal—that is, if he’s still interested in playing. If that’s how the market materializes, the Kansas City should be all over it.
Tanoh Kpassagnon, Edge Rusher (UFA)
Like the cornerback and center positions, the Chiefs may (and should) look to upgrade the edge position this offseason. Kpassagnon has never really developed into the player Kansas City thought he could be when they used a second round pick on him in 2017. He registered only one sack despite 15 starts in 2020. He’s versatile, and can play inside and outside. The Chiefs like versatile. Maybe he’ll be back or, more likely, maybe Kansas City finds someone with more upside.
Alex Okafor, Defensive End (Void, UFA)
Like Kpassagnon, Okafor was given every opportunity to grab hold of the DE2 position opposite Frank Clark and earn another contract with the team. Despite a promising 2019 campaign which saw the veteran secure five sacks in 10 games prior to season ending injury, 2020 saw regression (and more injuries) with three sacks in 11 games. In addition, he was demoted on the depth chart and played second string to Kpassagnon. The Chiefs need upgrades here, and cannot afford to remain stagnant.
Mike Pennel, Defensive Tackle (UFA)
Mike Pennel was brought in during the 2019 season and played incredibly well in run defense for the Chiefs throughout their Super Bowl run. In 2020, he was fine, but not as effective as a season ago. And, he offers essentially no upside as a pass rusher for a team that really needs a strong pass rush. They may bring him back for another go, but for the team’s sake, one has to hope that Khalen Saunders can regain active roster status and make Pennel superfluous.
Ben Niemann, Linebacker (RFA)
This experiment has to end. It really has to end. Andy is very loyal; maybe it doesn’t end. But it has to end. Neimann is a restricted free agent, but it doesn’t mean the Chiefs have to keep him.
Charvarius Ward, Cornerback (RFA)
If you’d asked us one year ago if the Chiefs would/should extend cornerback Charvarius Ward, we’d have said absolutely. Most believe(d) that he is (was) one of Brett Veach’s greatest acquisitions. And let’s be clear, the fourth year pro isn’t bad, he’s also just really not all that good. He did not appear to progress much in 2020, while rookie L’Jarius Sneed was outstanding and second year corner Rashad Fenton appeared to ascend some. The Chiefs will try to bring Ward back if the money is right, but the problem is that cornerbacks often get more than they should, especially young ones. Young corners with Super Bowl experience are just the types of RFAs who other teams may be willing to give up a day three draft pick for.
Chiefs free agents who are likely leaving
Le’Veon Bell, Running Back (UFA)
Despite the excitement generated by the signing of the veteran running back, Bell simply never really produced for Kansas City. It seems almost certain the Chiefs opt for younger, cheaper talent in the running back room.
Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver (UFA)
Like Demarcus Robinson, it seemed a near certainly that Sammy Watkins would not be on the Chiefs roster for 2020. But, who would have predicted he’d take a 50% pay cut to stay? Would he do so again? Kansas City absolutely should not bring Watkins back at nearly $9 million per season; he’s simply too unreliable. That money is better spent on one of the slew of other veteran wide receivers available in free agency. (Kenny Golladay, anyone?)
Ricky Seals-Jones, Tight End (UFA)
It still baffles many why RSJ was on the active roster all season. The fourth year pro saw only one target this season and was barely on the field at all. Andy Reid clearly liked something about the tight end, but who on earth knows what it is/was. It is difficult to imagine RSJ returning after such limited usage in 2020.
Daniel Kilgore, Guard (UFA)
Kilgore was a nice midseason signing for Kansas City, and the former San Francisco 49er made four quality starts for the Chiefs during the year. Veach should be looking to upgrade the starters heading into 2021, which should push guards like Wylie to a reserve role, which should push players like Kilgore (and Wiz, see next) off the roster. That’s a lot of “should”, so we’ll see.
Stefen Wiskniewski, Guard (UFA)
See above. It all applies here, too.
Antonio Hamilton, Cornerback (UFA)
If the team doesn’t bring back Ward and/or Breeland, Hamilton’s odds to stay certainly increase. Like the offensive line, the Chiefs should be looking to improve the overall quality of the cornerback position. Unfortunately, Hamilton failed to make an impact in 2020 and was relegated primarily to special teams. With very little upside here, expect Kansas City to bring in someone younger with more room for growth for this roster spot.