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Originally Posted by staylor26
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One month from now, the Chiefs will begin rebuilding certain spots of their roster. With limited salary cap space, general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid will attempt to attract certain free agents who they believe can help the Chiefs make a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs, though, have plenty of decisions to make with their own upcoming unrestricted free agents before the NFL begins its free agency period. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the league is expected to have a flatter projected salary cap, perhaps set at $185 million, for the 2021 season.
Even before the Super Bowl earlier this month, Veach said he and his front office staff had already begun looking at multiple versions of how to construct the Chiefs’ roster with a $185 million salary cap.
“It could be anywhere from $175 (million), $185, $195,” Veach said of next season’s cap. “From $175 to $195, it’s a big deal for us.
“We always have a couple different roadmaps to get us to where we want to be. We’ll certainly have some tough decisions to make in regards to trying to keep as many players on this team intact. Sometimes these plans are dependent on how the dominos fall elsewhere with certain players.”
Such circumstances are expected to force Veach and Reid to maneuver this offseason similar to how they did last spring, when the league handled every major event, including free agency, in a virtual manner. A difference this year, of course, is that the Chiefs are no longer the reigning Super Bowl champions. But the day after their Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reid stressed that the team’s evaluation of its own upcoming free agents must emphasize the entire 2020 season instead of focusing too much on the disappointing outcome of the team’s final game.
“That’s what’s important here about stepping back for an inch, so you can kind of reflect and think,” Reid said. “When we do that as coaches and give our reports to Brett, we look at the whole picture.”
Veach acknowledged two facts when discussing the Chiefs’ offseason. He explained that a large reason the team was successful last season was because of the Chiefs’ ability to retain several core players last spring. And Veach understands the Chiefs likely won’t have the same level of continuity for the 2021 season.
Ahead of the league’s new year, set to start on March 17, here are our predictions for all 18 of the Chiefs’ unrestricted free agents, with all contract figures courtesy of Over the Cap:
The three big names
WR Sammy Watkins
Prediction: Hits the market
Almost a year ago, Watkins and the Chiefs believed that 2020 would likely be their final season together. Watkins restructured the final year of his contact on April 3, one that had many incentives that he never reached, in part because of injuries. The disappointing part for the Chiefs is that Watkins didn’t make an impact in the postseason, as he did the previous two years, because of a nagging left calf injury.
The Chiefs will make an attempt to retain Watkins, but the most logical outcome is that Watkins hits the free-agent market to find out how valuable he is. As with many of the Chiefs’ free agents, another team could outbid them for Watkins’ services.
“I hope so,” Veach said of Watkins possibly returning. “Every year is different. Sammy’s a big part of this offense. When he’s healthy, we’re better. If there’s a way we can make it work again, we’ll certainly try to do that.”
CB Bashaud Breeland
Prediction: Hits the market
Similar to last spring, Breeland is hopeful that a sizable payday is coming. He had another strong season last year with the Chiefs, recording two interceptions, nine pass breakups and showing plenty of physicality when in press man coverage. It’s possible Breeland could sign another one-year deal with the Chiefs if no other team offers him a multi-year contract, but the Chiefs might not need Breeland as much as they did a year ago. The depth at cornerback has improved with Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton, DeAndre Baker and BoPete Keyes all projected to be contributors next season.
RB Le’Veon Bell
Prediction: Hits the market
At times, Bell was effective in his role as the primary backup and mentor to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. At age 28, Bell joined the team in October as a rental, and he wants to make as much money as he can in free agency. The Chiefs also don’t have a ton of snaps they can promise Bell next season. Edwards-Helaire will be the starter with the return of veteran Damien Williams and fourth-year player Darrel Williams, who is a restricted free agent.
Starters
DE Alex Okafor
Prediction: Hits the market
During training camp in August, Okafor agreed with the Chiefs to restructure his contract, which voided the final year of his original three-year, $18 million deal and makes him a free agent this spring. The decision indicates that Okafor wants to see if he can sign another multi-year deal to be a contributor with another contender.
Okafor played on a one-year, $4.96 million contract last season. The Chiefs are expected to pursue signing another veteran pass rusher at close to the same deal, with options such as J.J. Watt, Carl Lawson, Olivier Vernon and Romeo Okwara being available.
G Kelechi Osemele
Prediction: Re-signs
Osemele loved playing for the Chiefs and protecting superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes before tearing a tendon in both knees in October. If Osemele makes a full recovery, he is a suitable option to help fortify the Chiefs’ offensive line. Osemele was one of the Chiefs’ best run blockers last season, and he could compete for one of the starting guard spots if he returns by training camp. A one-year deal can be advantageous for the Chiefs and Osemele, a 10-year veteran at age 31.
“I think people want to play with Patrick Mahomes,” Veach said of veterans such as Osemele, who joined the team just before training camp last season. “That helps. When you have sustained success, and you play with a coach like Andy Reid and a player like Pat, I think those players know they’ll get a chance to win and play on the biggest stages. That’s a good pitch to throw at players.”
C Austin Reiter
Prediction: Re-signs
Reiter is not one of the best centers in the league, but he is one of the best free agents at the position. Sheil Kapadia, one of The Athletic’s national writers, has Reiter as the No. 2 free agent center in his annual listing of the best available players. Reiter, 29, has a good relationship with Mahomes, and the Chiefs should attempt to re-sign him to a one-year deal.
The Chiefs are also expected to target center in the draft to find a long-term solution. Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s NFL Draft writer, has projected the Chiefs to select Landon Dickerson, the talented center from Alabama, with their 31st overall pick.
LB Damien Wilson
Prediction: Hits the market
One of Veach’s most underrated moves was signing Wilson to a two-year, $5.75 contract in 2019. Since then, Wilson has been a solid contributor. But the Chiefs need to upgrade at the position. Willie Gay, the second-year player and former second-round pick, is expected to play the snaps that Wilson had last season. Veach could also spend free agency looking to sign another young linebacker that the Chiefs project to be an ascending player.
Role players
WR Demarcus Robinson
Prediction: Hits the market
Last year, Robinson re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year, $2.3 million contract. He was a contributor at times, but has yet to record at least 500 receiving yards in a season during his five years with the Chiefs. Robinson will look to secure a multi-year deal in free agency while the Chiefs could replace him by selecting another speedy receiver in the draft.
S Daniel Sorensen
Prediction: Re-signs
Yet again, Sorensen should return to the Chiefs despite some of his limitations. One could make the argument that Sorensen was the Chiefs’ most valuable player age 30 or older, alongside left tackle Eric Fisher, last season. Sorensen has the versatility to be a safety or a linebacker in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. He is also clutch in the postseason and has a willingness and skill to be an above-average special-teamer. The Chiefs could sign Sorensen to a one-year deal with a maximum worth of $4 million through incentives.
FB Anthony Sherman
Prediction: Re-signs
Although Sherman is 32, he was still a productive player last season on offense and special teams. Fans shouldn’t be surprised if Sherman re-signs with the Chiefs on another one-year deal that is close to $1 million.
CB Antonio Hamilton
Prediction: Hits the market
After the free agency period last year, Veach acknowledged that he wanted to sign Hamilton to a two-year deal instead of a one-year contract. Since Hamilton never became a rotational player on defense last season, he is unlikely to return to the Chiefs. Hamilton is still capable on special teams, but the Chiefs could replace (or even increase) his production by signing another free agent or prioritizing cornerback in the middle rounds of the draft.
DT Mike Pennel
Prediction: Hits the market
In 2019, Pennel was a hero as a run-stuffing defender in the middle of Spagnuolo’s scheme. Pennel had flashes last season, but was too often an inconsistent player. Ahead of free agency, Pennel is in favor of re-signing with the Chiefs. But the team has younger options at his position in Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton and Khalen Saunders,
DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Prediction: Hits the market
With 15 starts last year, Kpassagnon had a disappointing season, recording just one sack and four quarterback hits. The lack of production, after four seasons with the Chiefs, makes this decision an easy one for Veach, Spagnuolo and Reid. The Chiefs will look to upgrade the position opposite star defensive end Frank Clark.
Other unrestricted free agents
TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Prediction: Hits the market
Sadly, Seals-Jones didn’t record a single statistic last season. His lone moment was when he dropped a pass in the Chiefs’ win in October over the Buffalo Bills. Known for his receiving skills, it was surprising that Seals-Jones couldn’t beat out Deon Yelder on the depth chart.
RT Mike Remmers
Prediction: Re-signs
The Chiefs will need a backup tackle, perhaps multiple, for next season. Remmers can fulfill that role on an admirable level. The problem is that he likely will be most remembered by fans for his struggles in the Super Bowl when he had to replace Fisher as the starting left tackle. During the regular season, Remmers was a quality swing tackle who is more consistent at that job than Cam Erving, who he replaced when joining the Chiefs’ last year. If Remmers re-signs with the Chiefs on a one-year deal, he will be asked to be a reliable backup, joining other tackles such as Mitchell Schwartz, Lucas Niang, Yasir Durant and Martinas Rankin.
C Daniel Kilgore
Prediction: Hits the market
At age 33, Kilgore started four games last season. Similar to Bell, Kilgore was considered a one-year rental and backup option when he joined the team during training camp.
G Stefen Wisniewski
Prediction: Hits the market
The Chiefs will always appreciate Wisniewski for his skills and play during the 2019 season’s playoffs to help the team win the Super Bowl. Wisniewski didn’t have the same success last season, and the Chiefs are expected to replace him with the return of veteran guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
DE Taco Charlton
Prediction: Re-signs
As a former first-round pick, Charlton was in the midst of having an impressive season, similar to Emmanuel Ogbah in 2019, when he fractured his right ankle and tore his LCL in early November. Charlton recorded two sacks and four quarterback hits in seven games. If he remains healthy next season, Charlton, at age 26, is expected to enter the prime of his career. He is in favor of re-signing with the Chiefs, and the team is expected to make an effort to retain him as a rotational player.
Veach's '21 Offseason Plan to Keep Us Thriving: Let's speculate
(https://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=336980)