I agree, let’s work on the trenches. Plenty of options already on the roster at WR, I’d like to see a CB addition but it’s not my biggest concern.

I’m intrigued by Simmons potential to fall to #32 due to injury and penalty concerns, his camp says he’ll be ready to go by NFL training camp but I’m assuming that’s a likely bit of propaganda representing an aggressive timeline to keep his stock high in the draft. Ultimately, our OL isn’t bad but could use some improvement, we can roll with what we have and wait patiently for him to heal up before throwing into the mix. Feels like we’re one solid LT away from being a top tier OL that the NFL pundits worship again, especially if we’re able to retain Smith and he locks back into his previous play level.

Veach tried like hell to sign Trey and after watching a game in person I see what Bolton’s value is. The defense functions so well in large part bc of his brain. Every play Bolton was telling guys where to line up or what signs there were.

Remember the Nazeeh Johnson TFL on the screen? Bolton telegraphed it to him pre-snap. He knew it was coming. Same with the Hicks INT. Bolton showed a hand signal as the ball was about to be snapped and that’s when Hicks/Cook rotated. He knew the ball was going to Nico and not Dell.

If Veach gets Bolton and Trey done I think they go for DL, corner and more playmaker help with the first 4 picks. If they lose one of Bolton/Trey I think it’s DL, corner, replacement for who they lose and a weapon.

3 weeks later, checking back in while the vibes are high....

The thing that's shifting for me now is maybe we do pay George.

Obviously there's a ceiling there, you can't pay him top of the market cash. However, he's getting better. You can see he rushes with more of a plan now. He seems to know exactly when to use his spin move and it works.

If he will do this type of stuff we've seen the past couple weeks against top competition in the playoffs, I have zero issue paying that guy. He stands for all the right stuff. Super young. Great head on his shoulders and will play his ass off until he hangs up his cleats.

It's not all that different than Tamba was for us. Cornerstone group of the defense for 2025-2027 is going to be Jones, Karlaftis, Bolton probably**, McDuffie, and Hicks.

You keep a nice core like that in place and you'll never slouch down to 2018 levels. Look at Buffalo. They had to ripcord their D, and it eventually is catching up to them now. They're another draft away from having it back in a stable place in the secondary.

Let’s say George has a great postseason.

Would you at least listen to offers?

Sacks aren’t everything, but Brian Burns has had similar sack production in his career. His trade comp was pick 39 and a 5th the next year.

Let’s say George commands something similar.

You either get George or an early 2nd (say pick 45) and the cap space.

I'll always listen but if he has a great postseason, it's gonna take a lot to bite. We still have two more really cheap years left on his deal.

Going back to my OP this morning, he's not a guy I worry about getting fat and happy off a contract extension. I think he brings a consistent no-nonsense approach that pays dividends with the other guys around the defense long term.

Roland-Wallace has done a fine job in the slot the last 4 or so games. They will draft a corner but probably not until rd 3 at the earliest

I think I'd re-sign Omenihu; he and George work nicely with Jones.

I'm still hoping we get something from Humphries that says he could be the guy for a couple of years, because other than that it's taking a run at Cam Robinson. That's fine, too.

Probably letting Smith walk.

Ty Robinson from the Huskers might be a nice addition to the defensive line.

If like to see a remake of the DT position after this year. Start thinking about life after Chris Jones. I know this is bad timing as we played well without him on Christmas. But I don’t think it is sustainable with the guys we have inside. Look to get a little younger and higher ceiling. I think we have 3 quality prospects on the practice squad this year too. And I would look to add a guy in round 2-4.

Mike Pennel has been a really nice player. And he is one I would think about bringing back as a run stuffer only.
Turk Wharton is a dime a dozen. I know he has played well. But let him go out and sign a contract and get a comp pick back for him
Derrick Nnadi needs to go. I haven’t gotten the fascination with him other than he knows the system.

Siaki Ika is a guy that makes Pennel replaceable. And he is younger and more athletic.
Fabian Lovette is an intriguing guy. And would be an upgrade to Nnadi. Can back up Ika.
Marlon Tuipulotu is also interesting and could be a Wharton type replacement with better run stopping skills.
Malik Herring I would like to see moved inside as a pass rush option also a Wharton toe replacement with more size.

2-4 Round draft guys to bring in.

TJ sanders 6’4” 290 South Carolina
Deone Walker 6’6” 340 Kentucky
Jared Ivey 6’6” 285 Ole Miss
Jordan Burch 6’6” 290 Oregon
Riley Mills 6’5” 305 Notre Dame
Shemar Turner 6’4” 300 Texas A&M

Josh Simmons IMO fits what Andy looks for in a LT a smooth mover who wins with athleticism. Suamataia is also athletic, but evidently he's mentally a soft bitch.

Tershawn Wharton had sneaky solid season with 6.5 sacks, props to him!

Re-visiting this thread.

QB: Mahomes will need to be extended, and have his contract reworked. Wentz we can re-sign, I don't really care. They need to have a reliable vet in the position. I don't think that's Wentz, but who knows. They have two 7ths this year, so they can drop one of them on a reserve QB.

RB: Pacheco is entering the last year of his deal, and I'll be interested to see if Steele develops. But this team needs to drop C+ money on a RB2. If there's good value at RB on the 2nd day of the draft, then pull the trigger there. Let Hunt walk.

WR: The Rice/Worthy combo is going to be lethal, and Brown should be affordable on a prove-it year. If Hopkins wants back cheap, I'm okay with that. Watson is cheap, bring him back. With Rice/Worthy/Brown/Watson, I'd be okay with a lower-level investment in FA. Maybe Hardman. No draft picks necessary, because the top three WR positions are all taken.

TE: The second biggest question mark of the entire offseason is Will Kelce Retire. I personally think he will. Noah Gray and Hendershot give you a decent one-two punch, but an investment in FA or the draft will be necessary.

OT: The biggest question of the offseason. The Chiefs need to package a 3rd and a pick year to go get the OT they want. They have to solve the LT equation, and a cheap five year LT is going to be invaluable. Taylor is your RT for at least another year, and Wanya can play swing tackle.

IOL: I think you can extend Thuney, let Trey walk, play Caliendo at guard. I don't know how much the team likes their depth at IOL with Suamataia, Nourzad, and Henson. A vet signing may be necessary.

DT: Wharton has probably played his way out of KC. Pennel can be re-signed or replaced by another plugger that Spags likes. The Chiefs will probably need to drop a draft pick at the "Wharton" position.

DE: I would like to think the Chiefs can bring back Omenihu at decent value, on a cheap one-year deal. That would give them Karlaftis/Omenihu/Danna/FAU. I'd like to think they'd extend Karlaftis this offseason? Can they? Maybe.

LB: I let Bolton walk. He's insanely talented, but he's going to be too expensive. You can slide Tranquill to the Mike, let Leo man the station at Sam, and sign a good Will in free agency -- my vote would be for Willie Gay.

CB: McDuffie will get an extension. From there, you've still got Watson/Williams/Roland-Wallace/Nazeeh. If good value falls in the draft, take it. But I'd prefer they just roll with what they've got.

S: Beg Justin Reid to take a deal. I'm guessing he won't (nor should he), so he's gone. That does give you Hicks/Cook/Conner. A vet signing here makes sense and wouldn't be expensive, I don't think. Same thing I said before with value in the draft. If a true free safety falls in the draft, you go get them.

ST: extend Araiza if he's cheap. If he's not, trust Toub to find a guy who is.

I do think you gotta pay Bolton OR Reid. They're the communicators of the defense. You lose both in the same offseason, you're playing with fire.

And let's be honest, Reid is the older guy, and there's a replacement already waiting in the wings.

Bolton is still only 24. There's just a lot going in favor of paying him.

I think it’s a Goldilocks scenario: Trey will be too expensive, Reid will be most affordable, and Bolton will be in between but you can only choose one. From that perspective I’d choose Bolton but if you can rework Mahomes and extend Thuney to free up space go ahead and sign Trey if OL is the biggest concern.

Not a fan of paying Smith. He's gonna get a huge bag.