Offseason In Review: Kansas City Chiefs

As partially chronicled on Netflix, the Chiefs secured their second Tremendous Bowl championship in 4 seasons. Patrick Mahomes is now 3-for-5 in Tremendous Bowl appearances as a starter and is the primary quarterback since Otto Graham (1950-55) to start an NFL profession with 5 straight convention championship video games. The 2-time MVP gutted via a excessive ankle sprain to elevate the Chiefs previous the Jaguars, Bengals and Eagles.

Buying and selling Tyreek Hill and letting Tyrann Mathieu stroll in free company, the Chiefs most likely vanquished a number of playoff foes with higher total rosters. The Eagles definitely had such a declare. However Kansas City’s Mahomes-Andy Reid basis has offered a historic benefit, compensating for roster points elsewhere. The Chiefs have been lucky relating to the supply of Mahomes’ high two co-stars. Travis Kelce and Chris Jones every suiting up for all 20 video games clearly aided final yr’s effort. There’s a good probability neither will play in Week 1, giving the Mahomes-Reid partnership a brand new problem to begin its newest title protection.

Free company additions:

• Jawaan Taylor, T: 4 years, $80MM ($40MM assured)
• Charles Omenihu, DE: Three years, $24MM ($8.6MM assured)
• Mike Edwards, S: One yr, $3MM ($2.48MM assured)
• Drue Tranquill, LB: One yr, $3MM ($2.45MM assured)
• Blaine Gabbert, QB: One yr, $1.32MM ($1.1MM assured)
• Donovan Smith, T: One yr, $3MM ($1.98MM assured)
• Richie James, WR: One yr, $1.32MM ($553K assured)
• Lamar Jackson, CB: One yr, $940K

A commerce bundle centering round a first-round choose introduced Orlando Brown Jr. to Kansas City in 2021. The Chiefs then franchise-tagged him final yr. After not re-tagging Brown, the defending champions have made some adjustments relating to their sort out precedence. They’ve taken care of the best sort out spot with Taylor and introduced in a veteran placeholder in Smith, whom the Buccaneers launched in March. This can be a slightly attention-grabbing setup, because the Reid years have both featured mid- or high-level investments in each sort out spots (Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz) or seen the RT place missed.

For a stretch instantly following Taylor’s signing, it appeared the plan can be to maneuver the previous Jaguars and Florida Gators proper sort out to the blind aspect. The staff modified course upon signing Smith in Might. Taylor, 25, will now maintain happening the best aspect.

The four-year Jags starter has by no means missed a sport. Whereas PFR rated Taylor third total without cost agent incomes energy, the Chiefs suppose extremely of a participant who wanted to win a coaching camp battle — over Walker Little — to maintain his RT job going into final season. Taylor’s contract-year work scored him a life-changing payday, and he’ll camp outdoors of Florida for the primary time. The Jaguars selected tagging Evan Engram, a less expensive choice that led to an extension, over cuffing Taylor. Jacksonville already has a top-10 left sort out cost (for Cam Robinson) on its books. Taylor then joined Mike McGlinchey and Kaleb McGary in comprising a powerful proper sort out free company class.

Extra of a go pro-oriented proper sort out in comparison with McGlinchey, Taylor boasts a skillset becoming Reid’s assault higher. Professional Soccer Focus has lengthy been skeptical of Taylor’s talents, having not ranked him inside the highest 60 amongst tackles since his rookie yr, when the superior metrics website slotted him forty ninth. Nonetheless, the previous second-round choose dropped his maintain rely from 11 in 2021 to 2 final season. And Soccer Outsiders charted Taylor as posting a career-low blown-block price (1.3%).

This represents a danger from the Chiefs, who gave a participant who was not precisely considered as an upper-echelon proper sort out for a lot of his rookie-contract run the second-most profitable contract on the place. Taylor’s $20MM AAV trails solely Lane Johnson‘s ($20.2MM). A major accolade disparity exists between these two, however the Chiefs are betting the fifth-year blocker’s greatest soccer lies forward. Taylor will be a part of one of many NFL’s greatest O-line nuclei, which nonetheless options rookie-deal cogs Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.

Older blockers now populate the left aspect of Kansas City’s line. Smith and left guard Joe Thuney are each 30. Smith additionally struggled throughout his last Bucs marketing campaign, ranking one spot behind Taylor (66th) in PFF’s view. His 12 penalties (together with seven holds) ranked second within the NFL, and Todd Bowles thought of benching the longtime left sort out final season. We slotted the Chiefs as one of the best Smith match, and the ex-Tom Brady protector might be thrust into one other high-profile spot. The second-longest-tenured left sort out in Bucs historical past, Smith signed three contracts with the staff and has made 124 profession begins.

A Missouri native who starred at Mizzou after Chase Daniel‘s exit from the then-Huge 12 program, Gabbert is again in his dwelling state after 12 seasons elsewhere. The Chiefs’ earlier Mahomes backup, Chad Henne, as soon as changed Gabbert in Jacksonville within the early 2010s. That demotion — after being chosen tenth total in 2011 — dropped Gabbert to the backup tier. Aside from when he briefly unseated Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco, Gabbert has remained a backup ever for the reason that Jags’ resolution.

Brady didn’t miss a begin with the Bucs, conserving Gabbert on the bench. Gabbert did make some profitable cameos beneath Bruce Arians with the 2017 Cardinals; his final begins got here with the 2018 Titans. Mahomes displayed his toughness throughout the playoffs however has missed time in two of Kansas City’s previous three divisional-round video games. Mahomes additionally missed two video games in 2019 with a knee harm. Henne and Matt Moore made memorable contributions to assist Tremendous Bowl-winning Chiefs squads. Reid pulling Moore out of retirement in 2019, after a season-ending Henne harm, and coaxing first rate performances bodes effectively for Gabbert’s potential type ought to Mahomes go down.

The Reid-era Chiefs haven’t proven a lot concern for including gamers deemed character dangers. A type of gambles (Hill) might be within the Corridor of Fame at some point; one other (Frank Clark) made very important postseason contributions. This has created some controversy, however the Chiefs have additionally generated some optimistic outcomes from this old-school technique. The Chiefs, who additionally gave ex-first-round cornerbacks DeAndre Baker and Damon Arnette second probabilities after off-field points led to early exits elsewhere, will wager on Omenihu. The previous Nick Bosa supporting-caster was arrested on a home violence cost in January. He already acquired a six-game suspension.

Omenihu, 26, confirmed promising type for a 49ers staff that ceaselessly enhances defensive ends’ capabilities, posting the Twelfth-best go rush win price — amongst D-ends — in 2021 and totaling 4.5 sacks and 16 QB hits final yr. With the Chiefs reducing Clark and relying on two current first-rounders (George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah) on the sting, Omenihu stands to develop into an essential piece. This suspension threatens to void the fifth-year go rusher’s ensures; it’s going to additionally place stress on the 2 younger DEs as Jones stays on the reserve/didn’t report record.

Even with the off-ball linebacker market that includes few main paydays this offseason, Tranquill’s low-cost pact shocked. The previous fourth-round select of Notre Dame was one of many NFL’s most efficient linebackers final season, pairing 146 tackles with 5 sacks, 4 go deflections and a pressured fumble. The Chargers let the Gus Bradley-era funding Tranquill stroll and gave Eric Kendricks a two-year, $13.25MM deal. Reid reaching out to Tranquill, 28, helped seal the deal for the fifth-year linebacker to affix Nick Bolton and Willie Homosexual on Kansas City’s defensive second degree.

Re-signings:

• Justin Watson, WR: Two years, $3.4MM ($1.3MM assured)
• Jerick McKinnon, RB: One yr, $1.32MM ($1.1MM assured)
• Derrick Nnadi, DT: One yr, $1.23MM ($1.1MM assured)
• Tershawn Wharton, DT: One yr, $2MM ($850K assured)
• Deon Bush, S: One yr, $1.32MM ($350K assured)
• Blake Bell, TE: One yr, $1.32MM

Though McKinnon has not seen a contract near the one the 49ers gave him in 2018, he has been an plain success story in a bleak interval for the place. The Chiefs have now given McKinnon three one-year contracts, and it’s attention-grabbing this one didn’t require a lot of a elevate from 2022. Then once more, the market was unkind to most backs this yr.

McKinnon grew to become a useful piece for the Chiefs, setting a post-merger NFL operating again document by catching a landing go in six straight video games. McKinnon’s 9 receiving TDs broke a Chiefs single-season RB commonplace as effectively, and his 10 whole TDs marked a profession excessive for the one-time Adrian Peterson Vikings successor.

Whiffing on Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a first-rounder who was alleged to develop into a dynamic aerial choice for Mahomes, the Chiefs have each rectified the scenario with McKinnon and dealt one other blow to RB worth in doing so. Whereas most groups can’t get away with giving the keys to a seventh-round choose (Isiah Pacheco) and a 31-year-old again on veteran-minimum cash, Mahomes’ presence affords the Chiefs luxuries. This low-cost duo comprising the Chiefs’ playoff backfield undoubtedly affected groups’ considering on the place this offseason.

McKinnon, who missed two full 49ers seasons after signing a four-year deal price $28MM, performed in each Chiefs sport final season. The ex-Vikings draftee has made his most precious contributions in his NFL twilight years.

Notable losses:

• Orlando Brown Jr., T
• Michael Burton, FB
• Frank Clark, DE (launched)
• Carlos Dunlap, DE
• Mecole Hardman, WR
• Darius Harris, LB
• Chad Henne, QB (retired)
• Ronald Jones, RB
• Khalen Saunders, DT
• JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
• Juan Thornhill, S
• Brandon Williams, DT
• Andrew Wylie, OL

The Chiefs had wished to retain Brown, however they handed on tagging him a second time (at a price of $19.9MM). If Donovan Smith proves a major downgrade on the O-line’s glamour place, not re-tagging Brown — a transfer believed to be in play for a bit — will appear to be a questionable technique. Then once more, a Brown tag would have virtually undoubtedly prevented the Taylor signing. Brown made his strategy to Cincinnati, and whereas the general contract quantity didn’t match what the Chiefs proposed earlier than the July 2022 tag extension deadline, the sixth-year blocker nonetheless made out effectively.

It was assumed when the Chiefs traded first-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks for Brown, a second and a sixth in 2021 that the ex-Ravens proper sort out — who had angled to be a full-time left sort out — would develop into a long-term Kansas City blocker. The staff giving up that sort of bundle pointed to an extension being within the works, however the Chiefs held off on a re-up till 2022. This technique benefited Brown’s profile, as he racked up a Professional Bowl in his first full-time LT season. The Chiefs had been then unable to work out an extension by final summer time’s tag deadline, although staff brass’ frustration with Brown urged a perception the AFC West powerhouse might lock down its blind-sider.

Kansas City submitted Brown a six-year, $139MM proposal earlier than the July 2022 deadline, and whereas the $23.1MM AAV topped Trent Williams‘ then-LT-record quantity, the Chiefs included an inflated sixth season to spice up the quantity to that time. This can be a frequent tactic for groups; the Dolphins did this to bump Hill’s AAV to $30MM. It didn’t transfer the needle for Brown, who cited inadequate ensures upon declining. The Chiefs’ provide contained $38MM absolutely assured, which might have ranked fourth amongst tackles on the time. Whereas Brown mentioned he wished to stay a Chief for the lengthy haul and made a second Professional Bowl with the staff final season, the group determined to maneuver on.

Brown, 26, most likely made the smarter monetary resolution by not signing a six-year extension. Brown’s Bengals AAV ($16MM) trails the Chiefs provide, however Cincinnati gave him $31.1MM assured at signing and included $42.35MM over the deal’s first two seasons. The previous third-round choose will now have an opportunity at a 3rd contract sooner than he would have had signed the Chiefs extension. Brown’s measurement made his matchups with faster edge rushers adventurous, although PFF graded the 363-pound blocker as a top-20 sort out final season. His defection enhancing the Bengals’ O-line might find yourself mattering in a crowded AFC race.

Wylie’s deal didn’t path McGary’s Falcons pact by a lot; the Commanders gave the longtime Chiefs starter a three-year, $24MM accord to observe Eric Bieniemy. This was a bit shocking, seeing as Wylie performed on a number of low-cost veteran agreements — together with a one-year, $2.5MM deal in 2022 — with the Chiefs over the previous two seasons. The Chiefs poured important sources into three O-line spots and located a gem in sixth-rounder Trey Smith. The staff, in flip, shunned paying up at proper sort out for a bit. However Wylie provided some stability final season. The previous UDFA, who performed guard and sort out in Kansas City, began all 20 Chiefs video games throughout the Tremendous Bowl LVII-winning marketing campaign. Given the bills on KC’s cap sheet, matching the Commanders’ provide was possible a non-starter for the defending champs.

In the grand scheme, the Chiefs overpaid for Clark. A month after sending Dee Ford to the 49ers in a tag-and-trade state of affairs, the Chiefs gave up first- and second-rounders to amass Clark from the Seahawks. GM Brett Veach then approved a five-year, $104MM extension. Clark by no means eclipsed eight sacks in a season throughout 4 Kansas City slates, after doing so in his last three Seattle years, and was twice arrested on gun costs in 2021. That produced a 2022 suspension, which commenced after the Chiefs stored him on a diminished wage.

That mentioned, Clark made a big effect for the Chiefs within the playoffs. The veteran go rusher now ranks behind solely Bruce Smith and Willie McGinest for postseason sacks, together with his 2.5 from the 2022 postseason upping his whole to 13.5. Clark, 30, caught on with the Broncos on a one-year, $5.5MM deal.

A two-year Chiefs courtship led to Smith-Schuster signing on in 2022. The ex-Steeler picked time to affix Mahomes and Co. The six-year veteran paced a post-Hill wideout corps by a large margin in receiving yards (933) and drew the essential holding penalty that successfully locked up the Tremendous Bowl win. Mutual curiosity on a second contract existed between the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster, who’s someway simply 26. He and Reid communicated earlier than and through free company, and the Eleventh-year Chiefs HC mentioned the Patriots authorizing a three-year, $25.5MM deal ($16MM absolutely assured) was effectively out of Okay.C.’s worth vary. That remark proved eye-opening relating to the AFC energy’s finances on the place, after parting with Hill slightly than pay him Davante Adams-level cash.

With Smith-Schuster and Hardman strolling (to the Jets), the latter being anticipated to depart after an inconsistent tenure, the Chiefs have examined fantasy GMs forward of this season. They stored seven receivers on their 53-man roster, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Smith-Schuster slot successor Skyy Moore tentatively anticipated to be the lead producers. The staff had hoped Kadarius Toney might develop into a No. 1-caliber goal for Mahomes, and whereas the shifty ex-first-rounder has recovered from the meniscus harm sustained minutes into coaching camp, the cavalcade of maladies he has suffered since coming into the NFL brings apparent unreliability.

Watson, James, second-rounder Rashee Rice and UDFA flier Justyn Ross — a one-time first-round-level prospect whereas at Clemson, earlier than a career-threatening neck harm intervened — comprise the Chiefs’ muddled receiving corps. This might be one of many league’s most attention-grabbing place teams to look at early within the season. With Kelce battling a knee contusion that might power his first injury-related absence since microfracture surgical procedure shelved him for 15 video games in 2013, this group might go it alone to begin the season.

Thornhill rebounded from a late-season ACL tear as a rookie to develop into a stable Chiefs starter, however the staff already has a higher-end security contract (Justin Reid‘s three-year, $31.5MM deal) on its payroll. This led to the Browns including Thornhill for 3 years and $21MM. The Chiefs acquired Thornhill’s alternative — Bryan Prepare dinner — within the 2022 second spherical. Ex-Bucs security Mike Edwards gives an insurance coverage choice in case Prepare dinner (one rookie-year begin) isn’t fairly prepared.

Extensions and restructures:

Going into his age-28 season, Mahomes has not made it identified he’s dissatisfied together with his contract. Then once more, Joe Burrow‘s eventual deal would bump the league’s largest star to eighth in AAV. And no quarterback who signed an extension since Mahomes’ July 2020 contract has adopted his lead on contract size. Mahomes’ $45MM-per-year deal runs via 2031; it stays the one NFL contract extending into the 2030s. Whereas this has given the Chiefs flexibility, it’s going to finally should be revised because the market soars.

Veach mentioned the staff would reexamine Mahomes’ contract after this spherical of QB offers wrapped. With Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert signed, solely Burrow’s accord stays. An adjustment would require extra creativity from the Chiefs, as groups don’t make a behavior of eradicating years from gamers’ contracts. But when any energetic NFLer has contractual carte blanche with a staff, the Chiefs roster him. The Chiefs is not going to wish to develop into embroiled in a dispute with a participant that has meant this a lot to the franchise’s fortunes, however nothing seems imminent on this entrance. The Chris Jones matter nonetheless must be resolved.

Draft:

• Spherical 1, No. 31: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE (Kansas State) (signed)
• Spherical 2, No. 55 (from Vikings via Lions): Rashee Rice, WR (SMU) (signed)
• Spherical 3, No. 92 (from Bengals): Wanya Morris, T (Oklahoma) (signed)
• Spherical 4, No. 119 (from Lions via Vikings): Chamarri Conner, CB (Virginia Tech) (signed)
• Spherical 5, No. 166: BJ Thompson, LB (Stephen F. Austin) (signed)
• Spherical 6, No. 194 (from Lions): Keondre Coburn, DT (Texas) (signed)
• Spherical 7, No. 250: Nic Jones, CB (Ball State) (signed)

The bevy of visits and organized exercises with Mahomes confirmed the Chiefs’ hand to a level, and whereas Rice grew to become the receiver funding, higher-level prospects appeared on the staff’s radar. Believed to be involved in Quentin Johnston, the Chiefs additionally organized a Mahomes-Zay Flowers throwing session.

Throughout Spherical 1, the Vikings are believed to have fielded a name from the reigning champs, who had been pegged as involved in Jordan Addison. The Chargers, Ravens and Vikes respectively selected Flowers, Johnston and Addison from Nos. 21-23, and the Chiefs stood down. A primary-round wideout would have added some readability to Kansas City’s receiver setup, however the staff addressed its go rush quickly after the Vikings name.

Hailing from Kansas City, Mo., suburb Lee’s Summit, Anudike-Uzomah earned Huge 12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months acclaim at Kansas State. He mixed to register 19.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss and eight pressured fumbles from 2021-22. The Clark reduce and Omenihu suspension clears a path for an everyday early-season function for the 21-year-old edge rusher, although he enters the season as a rotational choice behind Karlaftis and Mike Danna. The latter totaled 5 sacks final season however profiles as a backup when all events can be found. The Chiefs, who had been related to a second Carlos Dunlap settlement however didn’t observe via, will count on Anudike-Uzomah to develop into an everyday early.

Rice additionally caught passes from Mahomes main as much as the draft and enticed the Chiefs to commerce up eight spots in Spherical 2. Though, Rice was not rated practically as extremely in comparison with the 4 first-round wideouts. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. slotted the SMU product 124th on this yr’s class; the Chiefs disagreed with that evaluation.

The 6-foot go catcher labored as an SMU common for 4 seasons, topping out with a 1,355-yard senior displaying. He added 14 receptions for 155 yards throughout the Chiefs’ preseason slate. With Toney a perpetual harm danger and nothing else in regards to the staff’s non-MVS receiver corps sorted out but, Rice might definitely think about early.

Veach mentioned Moore can have a three-down function to begin the season, with Rice on observe for situational work early. It took Moore a yr to assimilate in Reid’s offense, and Hill stays the one Reid-era receiver draft option to develop into an influence receiver in Kansas City. Since Reid arrived in 2013, Hill is the one Chiefs receiver draftee to high 600 yards in a season. With Kelce going into his age-34 season, the Chiefs will possible want that to vary this yr.

Different:

Reid had stumped for Bieniemy as a head coach for years, however no staff considered him as the best match. This positioned the five-year Chiefs OC as a lightning rod, seeing as Nagy and Doug Pederson had been employed after shorter tenures as Kansas City’s OC. The league’s points hiring minority candidates prompted a number of adjustments to the Rooney Rule lately, and whereas Bieniemy had authorized points in his previous and has been accused of not interviewing effectively, it rankled many who he couldn’t land a job after his function as Reid’s right-hand man throughout one of the vital explosive intervals any offense has put collectively.

In all, Bieniemy has taken 16 HC interviews. Solely a type of, nonetheless, got here this yr. Bieniemy, 52, met with ex-Chiefs coworker Chris Ballard however was not a finalist for the Colts job. The Commanders and Ravens confirmed curiosity within the 10-year Reid assistant as an offensive coordinator, and though it nonetheless appears to be like unusual to see the Chiefs OC want to simply accept one other OC function in an try to raised place himself for the HC carousel, Bieniemy is now in Washington.

Bieniemy’s lack of play-calling credentials harm him on the interview circuit, although different assistants have lacked such {qualifications} upon being employed. Nonetheless, the previous operating again will try and show his credentials by calling performs for a much less gifted staff.

Mike Kafka turning into the Giants’ OC, beating Bieniemy to a play-calling function, led Reid to rehire Nagy. The 2-year Kansas City OC flamed out as Chicago’s HC, regardless of incomes Coach of the 12 months honors in 2018. Bieniemy’s departure creates a chance for Nagy, who did name performs at factors throughout his preliminary Chiefs OC tenure — when Alex Smith remained the QB. Smith loved his greatest season beneath Nagy, who parlayed that 2017 efficiency into the Bears gig. This might be Nagy’s first probability as Chiefs OC with Mahomes on the controls.

Earlier than turning to the draft to handle its receiver want, Kansas City confirmed regular curiosity in Hopkins. This pursuit initially popped up in March, and Hopkins expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the Chiefs through commerce. The Chiefs then mentioned Hopkins phrases with the Cardinals, and the previous All-Professional was seemingly prepared to regulate his contract to facilitate a transfer. Odell Beckham Jr. securing $15MM assured from the Ravens scuttled the Playing cards’ talks with the Chiefs and Payments, nonetheless. The Chiefs remained on the radar for Hopkins throughout his prolonged free company keep, however the Titans’ provide got here in a lot larger than theirs or different suitors’ proposals.

A Jones extension would have helped carve out cap area for a possible Hopkins signing; this sequence of occasions was on the receiver’s radar. As an alternative of a deal by coaching camp, the Jones course of dragged for much longer than most anticipated and is all set to supply a uncommon in-season holdout.

The Chiefs had balked at a monster third Hill contract and let Mathieu stroll in preparation for an additional Jones extension, however not too lengthy after these 2022 selections, Aaron Donald signed a market-reshaping Rams deal. Simply because the Raiders’ Davante Adams extension helped lead Hill to the Dolphins, Donald’s three-year, $95MM pact ended up hijacking the Chiefs’ Jones plans.

Donald’s 2017 holdout led to a Week 1 absence, nevertheless it didn’t convey the results this one does. Jones, 28, has incurred greater than $2MM in fines. Sitting on the reserve/didn’t report record, Jones may also miss out on $1.1MM for every sport missed. The Rams waived Donald’s camp fines, simply because the 49ers did with Nick Bosa on Wednesday. The 2020 CBA prevents the Chiefs from waiving Jones’ penalties, differentiating rookie-deal holdouts from gamers who miss camp on veteran contracts. Going into the ultimate season of a four-year, $80MM extension — agreed to on the 2020 franchise tag deadline — Jones has seen his AAV drop to ninth on the place.

In talks with Jones since at the least June, the Chiefs have wished to pay him nearer to the newly fashioned Daron Payne–Dexter Lawrence–Jeffery Simmons–Quinnen Williams tier, which the Jets standout tops at $24MM per yr. Jones, who’s the one pure defensive sort out within the sack period (1982-present) with two 15-sack seasons, has countered by asking for cash nearer to Donald’s $31.7MM-per-year pact. Jones has been related to asks of $30MM and later $28MM per yr, probably dropping his worth. Will Bosa’s new $34MM-AAV megadeal change his worth level?

Jones possesses distinctive leverage. The Chiefs are grooming younger D-ends and have Omenihu out till Week 7. Kansas City additionally can’t realistically tag Jones once more in 2024; due to the 2020 tag, Jones’ 2024 quantity would are available at $33.6MM. Whereas Jones mentioned he didn’t wish to be a distraction by holding in, he has sacrificed hundreds of thousands in staying away. The Chiefs have let nearly each different core defender throughout the Mahomes period go away, whereas Jones has been the fixed. Each Bosa and Zack Martin‘s holdouts ended up being tremendously helpful. Will the Chiefs find yourself caving to Jones’ calls for?

Whereas Jones has floated the notion of staying away till Week 8 — the purpose gamers should report to realize an accrued season towards free company — it will undercut his monetary mission to lose out on $10MM between camp fines and sport checks. Vincent Jackson as soon as stayed away from the Chargers, protesting the uncapped 2010 yr that modified service-time necessities, via Week 8 however did so on a rookie contract. It stays unlikely Jones will sit out till midseason, although his resolve ought to now not be doubted. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the Chiefs’ protection fares with out him in video games.

High 10 cap hits for 2023:

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB: $39.69MM
2. Chris Jones, DT: $28.29MM
3. Joe Thuney, G: $22.12MM
4. Travis Kelce, TE: $14.8MM
5. Justin Reid, S: $12.7MM
6. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR: $11MM
7. Jawaan Taylor, T: $5.83MM
8. Harrison Butker, Okay: $5.11MM
9. Charles Omenihu, DE: $4.85MM
10. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB: $3.44MM

This Jones challenge hovered over the Chiefs’ offseason throughout a yr wherein the AFC grew stronger. The convention imbalance is stark forward of Week 1, with the AFC that includes a deep contender contingent. Then once more, the Chiefs have thwarted most challenges throughout the Mahomes years. They’re the one staff in NFL historical past to host 5 consecutive convention championship video games.

Gunning to develop into simply the second franchise to enterprise to 4 Tremendous Bowls in a five-year span (Patriots: 2014-18), the Chiefs needs to be anticipated to discipline a championship-caliber squad as soon as once more. However Jones lacking time and Kelce coming into his mid-30s threatens to skinny the margin for error. Although, the Chiefs’ ruthless consistency makes them tough to wager in opposition to no matter circumstances.