Image: Steelers/NFL.
The NFL has one of the longest off-seasons of any sport in the world; it lasts 5 months. The new league year officially begins in mid-March, just after free agency opens; training camps take place throughout the summer, pre-season games take place in August, and the new season begins within the first week of September.
The offseason is long, but the first few months are always exciting. Fans look forward to what their team will do in free agency and the draft; some even go so far as to create their own off-season plans and mock drafts. Today’s article will focus on the Kansas City Chiefs’ outlook and what I think they could do in free agency.
Salary cap maneuvering
Before getting to free agency, Kansas City has some serious cap navigation to do. They currently have –57 million in cap room and must find ways to shed that 57 million before the new league year. Here is a mock scenario of how the Chiefs can create cap space going into free agency:
Release Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor – Cap savings: 20 million
The Chiefs signed Taylor in free agency a few years ago to what was a big contract at the time. He hasn’t lived up to the contract the Chiefs gave him, and even if he had played well for them, he would likely still be released.
Release EDGE Mike Danna – Cap savings: 9 million.
Danna has played well for KC and gives veteran experience on the defense. However, he is not a true starter and is expendable. Releasing Danna saves a lot of money and is a logical move.
Restructure C Creed Humphrey – Cap savings: 10 million
Another way of creating cap space is to restructure contracts. Restructuring is done by converting a player’s base salary to a signing bonus and then spreading that signing bonus across the remainder of the contract. Doing this lowers the cap hit for the current year but at a cost of a slightly higher cap number in future years. Restructuring Humphrey would see his 2026 cap number drop from 18 million to just over 7 million.
Release LB Drue Tranquill – Cap savings: 5 million
Tranquill is in the same boat as Danna, as a player who has been valuable to the Chiefs but is expendable, and there are ways to replenish the linebacker room in the draft.
Restructure QB Patrick Mahomes – Cap savings: 43 million.
Restructuring Mahomes’ contract is something KC has done a few times now. Since his contract is so long, they can continue to kick the can down the road and save money upfront. This is a move I could see them not doing, because continuously restructuring his contract increases his cap hit in later years – in other words, they will pay a higher price later.
UPDATED SALARY CAP: 28,309,131 million
Through releasing 3 players and restructuring 2 contracts, Kansas City would be able to shed 85 million in cap space. I do not believe this is the most likely scenario, but it is a viable one.
Free agency: based on current needs
- Re-sign LB Leo Chenal to 3 years, 34 million
Leo Chenal. Photo: on3.com.
Chenal has been an instrumental piece for the Chiefs, and they should try to keep him.
- Re-sign TE Travis Kelce to 1-year, 1.3 million
Travis Kelce. Photo via givemesport.com.
Kelce looks to be coming back for one last hoorah and will be willing to take a minimum deal for the team.
- Re-sign WR/PR Tyquan Thornton to 1-year, 2.9 million
Tyquan Thornton. Photo: nflanalysis.net.
Thornton is a good depth piece at receiver while being a great kick and punt returner.
- Sign CB Noah Igbinoghene to 2 years, 9 million
Noah Igbinoghene. Photo: msn.com.
Igbinoghene had a solid season for the Commanders and is a good run-stopper and tackler who contributes to a diverse Corner room.
- Sign RB Tyler Allgeier to 1-year, 2.5 million
Tyler Allgeier. Photo: thefantasyfootballers.com.
Allgeier has shown the ability to be a suitable RB2 and effective in short-yardage situations. The Chiefs need to fill out their RB room, and Allgeier can add depth.
- Extend CB Trent McDuffie to 4 years, 96 million
Trent McDuffie. Photo: atozsports.com.
Even though he is coming off a down year, McDuffie is one of the best players on this Chiefs’ defense, and it would make sense to retain a top-10 corner in the league.
- Sign LB Alex Anzalone to 2 years, 14 million
Alex Anzalone. Photo: athlonsports.com.
Anzalone has been a great veteran presence for the Lions and possesses strong leadership. If the Chiefs are to release Drue Tranquill, they need to add someone to their linebacker room; Anzalone could be an option.
Remaining cap space: 16 million
The Chiefs will certainly have to make more moves to fill out their roster than what I’ve listed, but that was a mock scenario of positions they need to fill and profiles of players that they could sign.
