Following a disappointing end to their season, the Chiefs will head into the offseason with many pending free agents to try and retain.
Kansas City has many valuable members of their elite team that need new contracts this offseason. Some of them will be more costly than others, let’s take a look into players who should come back to Kansas City.
Orlando Brown Jr.
The Chiefs made a huge splash before the 2021 NFL Draft when they traded for Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. His rooking contract is now up and following another Pro Bowl season he’s heading towards a huge payday from the Chiefs. Brown Jr. was great in his first season with the Chiefs, playing 1,127 snaps giving up 4 sacks. Veach stated that the defensive side of the ball is likely to be the organization’s first priority this offseason. With limited cap space and a few massive contracts already on the books, any commitment to Brown Jr. would greatly reduce the team’s remaining options. Meaning there’s a chance he could get a lengthy contract extension that would keep him in Kansas City for the foreseeable future. The more likely option is that he could get franchise tagged to put off contract extension talks for another year.
Melvin Ingram
I think that Melvin Ingram should be near the top of Brett Veach’s list of players the Chiefs NEED to resign this offseason. Although Ingram didn’t choose to sign with Kansas City this past offseason, he was acquired by the Chiefs through Pittsburgh near the trade deadline. His impact as a key member of the Chiefs defensive line will not go unnoticed this offseason. With the contracts of Jarran Reed and Derrick Nnadi being up and Frank Clark potentially being cut or restructured, Ingram will need to be retained. His value as an edge rusher changed the Chiefs’ defense once he arrived in Kansas City and hopefully, he’ll be here to stay.
Tyrann Mathieu
If the Chiefs are going to go all out on the defense and treat them as their top priority this offseason retaining Tyrann Mathieu should be number one on their list. Mathieu has been the heart and soul of the Chiefs defense during his tenure in Kansas City. His effect on the field and off the field in the Kansas City community has been invaluable. Although he’s entering his age 30 season he has still proven to be a threat in the league. Despite some puzzling tweets from Mathieu following the conclusion of the season, his presence in Pro Bowl weekend activities donning Chiefs gear brings a reason for optimism.
If the price is right
Kansas City has multiple pending free agents that they could bring back if the price is right. The following players should find their home back in the red and white if they sign team-friendly contracts.
- Charvarius Ward
- Mike Hughes
- Darrel Williams
- Jerick McKinnon
- Derrick Nnadi
- Byron Pringle
