Reading the KC Chiefs tea leaves on James Bradberry rumors

After days of rumors indicating potential interest from the KC Chiefs in cornerback James Bradberry, there’s now a bit of distance in the latest reports.

For the last several days and even a couple of weeks, there has been considerable smoke around the idea that veteran cornerback James Bradberry could be moved by the New York Giants in exchange for draft assets as the 2022 NFL Draft draws near. The Kansas City Chiefs have been mentioned several times in conjunction with Bradberry, noting potential interest on the part of the team in light of the need at the position.

Not so fast, says Jeffri Chadiha.

Chadiha, a senior columnist and reporter for the NFL’s official website, had word on Tuesday that the Chiefs aren’t nearly as hot as people say about Bradberry and that his salary is a primary hurdle.

At this point in the back and forth, there’s likely some real truth to this report along with some leak-speak here. Let’s explain.

If the Giants are able to utilize the Chiefs’ interest with leaks of such rumors, then other teams might get into the bidding and/or want to drive up the price for Kansas City. In that case, the Chiefs would be forced to part with a higher draft pick or pick up more of Bradberry’s ultimate bill if they want him.

Given the steady stream of “Chiefs are interested” reports, it makes sense that someone on the Chiefs’ side might want to tilt things in the opposite direction. If the Chiefs distance themselves from Bradberry, the Giants will either be forced to call their bluff or give in a bit more to whatever demands might have been floated from Brett Veach’s side.

Then again, maybe we can just take this latest report at face value. Perhaps Bradberry’s agent or someone else has been drumming up false interest from teams and someone from the organization finally told Chadiha that the rumors were off and that the team wasn’t interested. It’s possible the Chiefs like what they have in L’Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton along with a potential draft pick or two going forward with other new faces brought in or re-signed this offseason.

Then again, even if it’s not Bradberry, the Chiefs might be a bit too confident if they really want to stand pat at the position, Every passing year has featured another loss of a starter going back five or six years, and this season they lost both Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes in free agency. At some point, they need to reinvest in the position with a veteran addition who can play at a high level, because even now the Chiefs could use a high-ceiling player.

Are they interested? It’s hard to say but this feels like someone from the Chiefs is trying to lower Bradberry’s price. Or maybe there’s just nothing there at all.