The Kansas City Chiefs are a team on the rise. Despite going from 11-5 and a playoff team to 9-7 and out of the postseason in 2014, Kansas City was much more competitive against quality opponents.
In Andy Reid’s first year at the helm, the Chiefs were only able to beat one playoff team in the Philadelphia Eagles. This year, Reid’s group knocked off both the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, while eliminating the San Diego Chargers from playoff contention with a win on the final Sunday of the regular season. Factor in other wins at San Diego, Miami and Buffalo, and it is easy to see why the Chiefs have ample hope heading into 2015.
However, tough decisions are looming. General manager John Dorsey is going to have to make moves before the crunch of the offseason arrives, already projected to be $2.3 million above the salary cap, according to Over the Cap. With that in mind, the Chiefs have one of the best players in football about to hit the open market in outside linebacker Justin Houston, fresh off a 22-sack campaign. Center Rodney Hudson and safety Ron Parker will also command attention, and are all players Dorsey would prefer to keep.
Houston won’t be going anywhere, with either a long-term deal or franchise tag keeping him in the heartland. If he is tagged, Kansas City would have to pay approximately $13 million in guaranteed money against the cap for his services.
So, how do the Chiefs free up space? For starters, they trim some fat. Backup quarterback Chase Daniel and receivers A.J. Jenkins and Donnie Avery will be released, saving $8.6 million. Defensive end Mike DeVito and inside linebacker Joe Mays are also potential releases, netting $4 and $3 million in savings, respectively.
The big cutbacks could come from longtime stars Dwayne Bowe and Tamba Hali. Hali, 31, is coming off a down season in which he recorded six sacks while dealing with a bad knee. Considering 2014 first-round pick Dee Ford is waiting in the wings, it is a solid bet Hali gets released. If Kansas City parts ways, they recoup $9 million against the cap.
Bowe is a trickier situation. The Chiefs are insanely desperate for more production at receiver after becoming the first team since 1950 to not record a touchdown from the position. Bowe is their best option, despite failing to post more than 801 yards in each of the past three seasons. Financially, Kansas City has to do something with the 30-year-old. Bowe is slated to make $14 million next season, a number which will not come to fruition.
It is likely Dorsey tries to cut that number in half, at minimum. If Bowe decide to balk, the Chiefs will allow him to hit free agency. With a litany of better receivers on the market such as Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb, Kansas City might release Bowe from the outset. If they cut Bowe with a post-June 1 designation, the Chiefs save a massive $11 million in 2015, but pay $6 million in dead money in 2016.
Should both Bowe and Hali get cut, Kansas City could actually be a better team. If both moves happen, the Chiefs are looking at upwards of $30 million in cap space. With a few re-signings and some acquisitions in both free agency and the draft, things are pointing up in Arrowhead.
