KC Chiefs still have surprising players available in free agency

It can be a bit misleading for NFL writers to discuss “free agency” as a set period on the league’s calendar. After all, free agent is a term that refers to any unsigned player, and teams are constantly releasing and signing players all year round. Free agency, then, is ongoing and it’s possible to find talented players at any point on the schedule—whether during the offseason, the preseason, or as the regular season is underway.

Still, there is a definite part of the calendar when a new round of players have earned their chance to hit the open market and a frenzy of signings take place. It’s here that most of us refer to when we refer to “free agency” as a specific period, and it’s likely due to the precipitous fall in quantity and quality of available talent that takes place within just a few weeks. The list of available talent at a particular position can look robust one month and depressing the next.

At this point in the offseason, however, just before any June 1 transactions have taken place, there are still a number of talented players available—and that list includes some former members of the Chiefs who are still waiting for a new team to sign them. While it’s understandable for some players to remain waiting for a chance, some others have us scratching our heads.

Bashaud Breeland, CB

Any list of puzzlingly available free agents begins with Bashaud Breeland who has been forced to play out a series of one-year deals for each of the last three offseasons—one with the Green Bay Packers and the last two in Kansas City. At least the Chiefs have paid more than the veteran minimum in that single season, but there’s no denying that Breeland has one of the best bargain finds on a Super Bowl contender. After playing for $880K in Green Bay, he’s made a total of $5 million over two years in K.C.

Will Breeland be back for another season in K.C.? It seems possible that given he’s got some lobbyists on the inside in former teammates who would like to make another championship run together. Star safety Tyrann Mathieu was the latest Chiefs player to voice his support for bringing Breeland back for another year when speaking to reporters on Thursday. But this is also not a player’s call.

For some reason, the Chiefs and Breeland have had a hard time finding common ground after two years together. No one is able to say for sure what the hold-up is, but it seems fair that it’s likely contractual length or compensation. Perhaps Breeland is done playing on one-year deals. If so, it’s hard to fault him given the level of play he’s provided in the secondary over the last two years. However, other teams haven’t swooped in to beat the Chiefs to make a deal either. The team has all the leverage and it’s hard to fault them for using it.

Still, it’s a surprise to me that Breeland remains a free agent nearly one month after the NFL Draft. I thought he would finally earn a bit of security with a multi-year deal (likely just a two-year contract) this offseason after showing up strong again for the Chiefs in 2020. Given recent interest from both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, a signing could be coming soon.