The focus of the Kansas City Chiefs should still be on the field for several weeks to come, but it’s never too early for the front office to begin to plan for life after the 2021 season. In fact, much of their decisions will be based upon how the present is playing out and it’s been an informative campaign for many players whose tenures in Kansas City are scheduled to end next March.
With December coming into view, several teams will be thinking about the offseason already and general manager Brett Veach is likely already there. He just handed out a two-year extension to long snapper James Winchester and we’re likely to see other extensions coming in the next few weeks and months for both big-name stars and smaller role players.
Veach is going to be busy once again in 2022 as he addresses needs, but these five players seem like they’re the most likely to return in 2022 as players who have definitely earned new contracts with the team—if Veach can afford them.
Tyrann Mathieu
This deal is already done (even if it’s not just yet). Both parties are waiting for it to happen. They want it to happen. It just hasn’t happened—yet.
Both the Chiefs brass and Tyrannn Mathieu have said all the right things about wanting a long-term marriage here, so it would be ridiculous to think both parties can’t find a forward into 2022 and beyond. For the last two seasons, the Chiefs defense has been as successful as it is because Mathieu has served as its on-field leader and emotional core. He’s the heart and soul of that side of the ball and the team would be much worse off if they let him walk.
Mathieu will be an expensive re-signing, to be sure, and some fans might be tired of the Twitter back-and-forth, but those members of Chiefs Kingdom should have no bearing on the outcome here. To not re-sign him would be absolutely silly. He’s a guy who is still as effective as ever, a three-time First Team All-Pro who was also voted No. 58 out of the NFL’s top 100 players this preseason.
So far this year, Mathieu has 49 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 sack for the Chiefs while allowing a 72.4 passer rating. Some fears might be raised about a deal that goes too long, but a three-year option sounds perfect given his age (turned 29 in May).