Five moves to help KC Chiefs avoid salary cap trouble in 2021

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 03: Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, left, and general manager Brett Veach, right, watch pregame warmups prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 03: Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, left, and general manager Brett Veach, right, watch pregame warmups prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

5. Cut Damien Williams

When I think back on the first Chiefs Super Bowl win of my lifetime, the defining moment for me will always be running back Damien Williams’ breakaway touchdown along the left sideline to seal the win. That was the moment I let myself believe it was really happening. I would have even as to have gone so far as to name him the game’s MVP. Williams will have a permanent place in the history of this team, but I just don’t think he has a place in their future.

Running backs are cheap and the Chiefs just invested a first round draft pick on one in Clyde Edwards-Helaire. So it doesn’t make sense to me to spend $2.7 million cap dollars when you’re hurting on space for a backup to Clyde when most of that money can be saved by parting ways with him. There will be significantly cheaper options available, including possibly bringing Darrel Williams back for a cheaper cap hit than Damien will cost them.

While I appreciate what Damien Williams did for the Chiefs during their Super Bowl run, I think it’s time to move on. The rest of the moves on this list are more complicated contract situations. The next one involves a player who is going to need to decide what he wants to do going forward.

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