Chris Jones is signed. Here’s what should be next for Chiefs as free agency opens
The spectacle that is NFL free agency opens Wednesday — two days after the unusually dubbed legal-tampering period — and while it might be a bit before the Chiefs can afford to be major players, it’s not as though they’ve just sat idle this time of year.
Heck, just last March, they opened the legal-tampering period by handing Jawaan Taylor $80 million to play left tackle. (Oops.) They were particularly active, and more successful, in the second wave of free agency, adding key pieces in Drue Tranquill, Mike Edwards and Charles Omenihu at considerably lower costs.
The salary cap situation denotes that’s where the Chiefs will have to maximize their dollars for the immediate future. They could use some assistance at wide receiver, offensive tackle and across the defensive line, probably in that order.
But I’m getting ahead of things. It’s already been an eventful, roster-shaping month for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions — they agreed to a mega-extension with Chris Jones, tagged cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and re-upped Tranquill on a multi-year pact.
Those are the big names. But the majority of unrestricted free agents from their own roster remain.
Like these guys:
MIKE DANNA, EDGE
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk, albeit begrudgingly.
The explanation: The market is going to make the decision for the Chiefs here. Danna can probably land a three-year (two guaranteed) contract as a free agent, and that’s just not an offer the Chiefs can match. I like Danna — he’s a consistent, relatively mistake-free player who contributes in both pass rush and against the run. He had a career-best 47 pressures last year, per PFF, which ranked 42nd in the league. That’s premium return for a fifth-round pick.
But, guess what, other teams are familiar with those figures, too. And their cap numbers are in a better position to provide Danna his first true payday in the NFL. His absence will create a need on the defensive line.
WILLIE GAY, LINEBACKER
What the Chiefs should do: Offer a one-year deal, but don’t stretch it.
The explanation: The Chiefs paid Drue Tranquill last week, almost certainly sealing Gay’s outcome. But in the vein of what the Chiefs should do, they shouldn’t walk away without checking on the price. Need I remind you that the Chiefs thought they were good at linebacker but were surprised Tranquill remained on the market and scooped him up? There are a lot of veteran linebackers set to hit free agency, which could alter the market for Gay.
Again, my guess is Gay’s price will still be too rich for a return, but circumstances could change that. Gay would’ve been more fortunate had his rookie contract expired a year ago, when he was coming off a more impactful season.
MECOLE HARDMAN, WIDE RECEIVER
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: Hardman will live in Chiefs lore after catching the game-winning touchdown to win Super Bowl LVIII in overtime. But the production speaks for itself: Hardman had all of 180 yards over 10 games (regular and postseason combined) with the Chiefs.
The Chiefs need to add a vertical weapon this offseason, particularly after the release of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but Hardman is not the deep threat his speed makes him out to be. (Yes, I know he caught a downfield pass in the Super Bowl. There are anecdotal exceptions to most rules.) Hardman has difficulty tracking the ball in the air — he caught one pass thrown deeper than 10 yards all season. The Chiefs can upgrade.
MIKE EDWARDS, SAFETY
What the Chiefs should do: Repeat last year’s offer.
The explanation: The Chiefs got a pretty good bargain with Edwards in 2023: a one-year, $3 million pact. He’s a versatile safety capable of filling both spots on the back end and operating in dime packages. But at age 28, Edwards should consider this offseason his last chance for a real payday. And if some team bites on a two-year offer, that ought to price the Chiefs out.
Chamarri Conner has also proven he’s worthy of more playing time in his upcoming second year. So why still offer Edwards? The Chiefs’ defense thrived because of its depth, and if they have to move on from L’Jarius Sneed, having Connor available as a slot cornerback wouldn’t be a bad thing.
DONOVAN SMITH, LEFT TACKLE
What the Chiefs should do: Wait on the market.
The explanation: I wouldn’t anticipate Smith garnering much interest in the first or possibly even second wave of free agency. If I’m wrong about that, then the Chiefs’ decision here is easy.
Third-round pick Wanya Morris flashed in his rookie season, but I still think it’s premature to declare him ready to start at left tackle. Ideally, the Chiefs will upgrade at tackle. In fact, this year’s draft is heavy at left tackle; if the Chiefs hope they can pluck someone in the early rounds and see if that player is ready to plug and play, a one-year, inexpensive deal ($2 million?) with Smith could make sense as some security.
CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE, RUNNING BACK
What the Chiefs should do: Wait on the market.
The explanation: The inclination might be to move on, and I suspect that’s the ultimate outcome. But the Chiefs have only one running back from last year’s active roster still on the books for 2024 (starter Isiah Pacheco).
I do think the Chiefs can make improvements to their corps of running backs, but it’s still unknown whether Jerick McKinnon wants to play another year after a dropoff in 2023. And this draft (typically the best spot to land running backs) is particularly weak at running back.
If the Chiefs can find a cheap option in the free-agency market — emphasis on cheap — great, but Edwards-Helaire offers familiarity, is a popular teammate and wouldn’t be expensive as a third running back.
And next year’s draft should be loaded at the position, giving the Chiefs a chance to wait until 2025 to expend a middle-round draft pick. Edwards-Helaire, as a third back, could buy that time.
DERRICK NNADI, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: The Chiefs need defensive tackles — yes, even after the Chris Jones deal — but I just can’t make the argument to extend the Nnadi marriage another year.
In 2022, he was graded 129th of 141 interior defensive linemen by PFF. In 2023, he fell to 133rd of 141. His run defense was a real asset in his first three seasons, but it’s been a minute since that was the case.
NICK ALLEGRETTI, GUARD
What the Chiefs should do: Offer a one-year deal.
The explanation: Allegretti will first have to prove he’s healthy after the elbow injury — which he played through — during the Super Bowl. If he is, he might be seeking the chance to start. Assuming he’s unable to land that opportunity, the Chiefs provide an ideal landing spot. He’s the primary backup for all three interior positions, and he’s a well-respected teammate in the locker room.
BLAINE GABBERT, QUARTERBACK
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: Here’s another case in which, if you asked me should or will, I’d probably have two different answers. Gabbert did not impress in training camp nor his limited playing time in the season, and the Chiefs can move past the point of requiring veteran status to back up Mahomes. The ideal backup quarterback in Kansas City is one who can execute a quarterback sneak and still can throw the ball in case Andy Reid wants to add another wrinkle.
TOMMY TOWNSEND, PUNTER
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: It’s a proverbial writing-on-the-wall situation for Townsend, who hired among the biggest names in NFL agency (Drew Rosenhaus) a year ago, signaling his intention to get paid top-dollar on the open market. Don’t blame him. But the team that employs Patrick Mahomes as its quarterback shouldn’t get in a bidding war for a punter who finished 18th in punting average and 17th in net average.
The Chiefs added Matt Araiza earlier this offseason.
JAMES WINCHESTER, LONG-SNAPPER
What the Chiefs should do: Offer him a one-year deal.
The explanation: Have you heard this name much throughout the last nine years? Exactly. That’s a good thing when you’re the long-snapper.
Winchester will be 35 in August, but the Chiefs are already likely to move on from one-third of their special teams units in punter Tommy Townsend, as I just mentioned. You’d prefer as much consistency as possible in the three-man specialists group, particularly in a field-goal operation that was as good as any in the league in 2023.
JERICK MCKINNON, RUNNING BACK
What the Chiefs should do: String it out until the summer.
The explanation: This is probably going to as much about what McKinnon wants to do as what the Chiefs should do. I don’t see him playing for another team. But McKinnon went through some injuries in 2023 and saw only 21 carries in the 12 games he did play. It’s hard not to wonder if he’s considering whether to continue the journey.
RICHIE JAMES, WIDE RECEIVER
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: Brought in after a career year in New York a season earlier, James was basically limited to being a punt returner in Kansas City. He played just 137 offensive snaps and produced only 10 catches — and if you couldn’t get on the field with that group of wide receivers, it’s probably best to move on.
TERSHAWN WHARTON, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
What the Chiefs should do: Offer a one-year deal, but don’t expand the budget.
The explanation: You need the role players, too. Wharton joined as an undrafted free agent four years ago. He’s fine as a depth guy who can spot as an interior pass rusher. In his three healthy seasons, he totaled 10 sacks as a backup defensive tackle.
Having said that, the Over the Cap projects Wharton at nearly $2 million. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t be back in Kansas City.
BLAKE BELL, TIGHT END
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: The backup tight end job in Kansas City isn’t what it used to be. It comes with a bit of an increased work load. The Chiefs are using more multiple tight-end sets and trying to give Travis Kelce additional plays off. They’ll be asking for more from these spots.
Bell, who will be 33 in August, caught just five passes in 2023, and his special teams role was reduced.
DEON BUSH, SAFETY
What the Chiefs should do: Let him walk.
The explanation: It’s possible the Chiefs could re-visit this after their roster is settled heading into training camp. But Bush didn’t make the roster out of training camp last season, and with him set to turn 31 in August, there’s not much of a reason to press the issue now.
