Predicting which free agents will re-sign with Kansas City Chiefs
By Grant Tuttle
The offseason is officially set to begin in March, but it is time to preview which unrestricted free agents may be back next year and which ones are likely gone.
The Kansas City Chiefs are fresh off of a Super Bowl victory that solidified the legacies of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid as one of the best coach/quarterback duos of all time. Now, just days later, we are forced to remember that the NFL is a business.
Often we forget that a team, no matter how special, will never be exactly the same for the next season. We are forced on a yearly basis to confront the idea that some of the players that made the previous season special are on their way out.
Today, we are going to examine the list of Chiefs’ unrestricted free agents and make a prediction as to whether they are going to be re-signed or be let go. Also included will be a brief description and a possible price range for the Chiefs to retain them.
Chiefs Unrestricted Free Agent List
QB Chad Henne, RB Jerick McKinnon, RB Ronald Jones, FB Michael Burton, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Mecole Hardman, WR Justin Watson, TE Blake Bell, OT Orlando Brown Jr., G/T Andrew Wylie, G/C Nick Allegretti, EDGE Carlos Dunlap, DT Derrick Nnadi, DT Khalen Saunders, DT Brandon Williams, S Juan Thornhill, S Deon Bush
QB Chad Henne
Prediction: He will retire
Cost to Retain: 1-year deal worth $2.2 million-$2.5 million
Analysis: Although there has been no official paperwork reportedly signed like in the case of Tom Brady, it appears that the Chiefs are going to need to be in the market for a new backup to Patrick Mahomes after Henne said he would be retiring after the team’s Super Bowl victory. While Shane Buechele has shown some promise in limited opportunities, the Chiefs will likely explore a number of different options at this spot.
RB Jerick McKinnon
Prediction: The Chiefs let him walk
Cost to Retain: 1-year deal worth $2.5-$4.9 million
Analysis: Jerick McKinnon’s market will certainly be interesting to monitor. While he is certainly not a youngster, he has some explosive ability and shined in Kansas City as a receiving back. It seems as though the Chiefs would like to spend limited amounts on the running back position with Isiah Pacheco emerging as their top option. It seems as though someone may be willing to offer McKinnon more than what the Chiefs care to spend. However, if a deal is closer to its floor than to its ceiling, the Chiefs will definitely be in the mix and hold interest in bringing him back.
RB Ronald Jones
Prediction: The Chiefs let him walk
Cost to Retain: 1-year deal worth $1.3 million-$2.3 million
Analysis: This one seems like a done deal. Ronald Jones spent the majority of the season off of the field and was truly a reservist. At one point, Jones tweeted about wanting to be released. After having a forgettable season, it seems likely that Jones and the Chiefs will have mutual interest in parting ways.