KC Chiefs players nearing end of their contract years

Orlando Brown Jr.

This is the big decision facing the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason and everyone knows it. What will they do with Orlando Brown Jr.? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. There are good reasons to consider most angles when it comes to Brown’s future with the team, although passionate fans on one side or another might roll their eyes when listening to any argument but their own.

Here’s what we do know for sure: Brown’s inconsistent performance, his previous financial (and positional) demands, market options, and the existence of the franchise tag make the entire picture quite muddy.

Brown has looked quite a bit better down the stretch for the Chiefs, but this is now two seasons of non-dominance from a player who has demanded elite-level pay. Yes, the Chiefs paid a first-round pick for him, but they’ll also receive something in return if he were to leave (either via tag-and-trade or the compensatory process), so that sunk cost shouldn’t complicate the picture too much.

How would Brown perform without any pressure if the Chiefs were to offer an extension? How much drama would arise if the Chiefs applied a second franchise tag? Will the free agent market or NFL Draft offer up any desirable options for Brett Veach? At this point, it’s hard to tell how the dominoes will fall.