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Evan Mathis: Five potential landing spots

By Matt Verderame

Aug 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (69) leaves the field after playing the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 14-9. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis (69) leaves the field after playing the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 14-9. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Chiefs (Cap space: $978,287)

The Kansas City Chiefs have been building their roster throughout the offseason with the notion of winning the AFC West for the first time since 2010. With Peyton Manning beginning to show his age and the Chiefs coming off consecutive winning seasons, optimism is running high in Kansas City.

General manager John Dorsey signed receiver Jeremy Maclin, formerly of the Eagles, to a five-year, $55 million deal in March before trading for guard Ben Grubbs. However, the Chiefs still have a sizable hole at right guard where Paul Fanaika and second-year man Zach Fulton are fighting for the starting spot along with veteran Jeff Allen.

The ultimate reason Mathis might consider Kansas City is its head coach, Andy Reid. Reid signed Mathis when he was with Philadelphia back in 2010, a system that Mathis succeeded in. Reid has long been known as a players coach, perhaps explaining why Maclin and Jason Avant decided to make a reunion of it with the Chiefs.

Kansas City will have to be creative, though. The Chiefs have the least amount of cap space in the NFL, but can open up $4 million in space by releasing reserve quarterback Chase Daniel. Dorsey could also convert some of Alex Smith’s money from bonus to base, creating another $8.1 million. Kansas City also has $48.75 million available in 2016, so Dorsey could offer a large bonus up front with a major cap hit coming in 2016 when the team can better afford it.

Next: Off to the Rocky Mountains?

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