Five Chiefs who have played their last game in Kansas City
By KC Proctor
Ben Niemann
A Super Bowl champion, and a man, at times, lauded as a leader among the linebacker room. Another instance of a disappointing exit leads me to feel confident in speaking for the Kingdom when I quote Terminator 2, Judgement Day, “Hasta la vista, baby!”
Really, I don’t harbor any hate for this kid. Niemann has been a super cheap option, accruing a total of $2.8M over four years, and has always been stout against the run. It’s once more to the fault of the design that he was labeled as the Kingdom’s Most Wanted for a couple of weeks this year. It became all too regular for eyes to slide to the second level and land on number 56 scrambling to catch up with a quick hitter from the slot. Or drifting into an already roasted coverage in the flat at the goal line. Or seeing 3-5 extra yards after contact following his getting stood up by anyone carrying the football.
Okay, there’s a bit of resentment. I am only a man, and I was toyed with, emotionally, by this defense all 2021. The youth and enthusiasm that lies within the Chiefs linebacker room that will be led forward by the veteran presence of Anthony Hitchens and hopefully bolstered by a piece or two in the upcoming draft will leave the memory of Ben Niemann in the dust. Once more, shout out to him for being a champ and for playing a significant role in the 2018-2022 run. But also, smell ya later Benny.