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2016 NFL offseason: Kansas City Chiefs’ needs

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) and cornerback Sean Smith (21) in the field during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) and cornerback Sean Smith (21) in the field during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agents Leaving

The biggest issue for John Dorsey this offseason is the number of free agents set to leave, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Much of Kansas City’s success came from their elite defense; however with multiple top players’ futures in Kansas City uncertain, the defense could be ravaged of such talent. Perhaps the most controversial free agent set to leave is Sean Smith.

If Carolina’s Josh Norman does not hit the open market and Sean Smith does, which is the most likely scenario seeing as this will be his last big money contract of his career, then he will be the top corner available and plenty of teams will be willing to splash the cash. Smith is looking for the money, and whether Kansas City will be willing to pay top dollar for him remains to be seen. He is the biggest name most likely to leave this offseason.

Smith is not, however, the team’s best free agent this offseason. That accolade belongs to Eric Berry, the All-Pro safety who won NFL Comeback Player of the Year after recovering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Berry will also be set to cash in on his elite performance this year. The difference here is that there’s no way John Dorsey watches the emotional leader of the team leave.

Other players who could leave include Jaye Howard, a nose tackle who was awesome this season; Derrick Johnson, the veteran inside linebacker who conducts such a vaunted defense; and Tamba Hali, the edge rusher who has served the Chiefs so admirably over the years. Howard will be awaiting his pay day, and it could well come down to him or Sean Smith. With Dontari Poe eyeing at a big contract next season, Howard could well be the guy who misses out.

Meanwhile, Johnson and Hali, while both Kansas City legends, will have to take team-friendly, short-term deals. Hali did so last season and both have publicly stated their intention to retire at Arrowhead which are positive signs. Whether such deals are completed, however, is another question.

On the offensive side of the ball, much of the Chiefs’ talent is tied down, especially after Travis Kelce signed a new long term deal. Left guard Jeff Allen is a free agent and after an impressive second half of the season should be prioritized – especially after the Chiefs’ struggles along the offensive line over recent years. Chase Daniel’s contract is also up, but he commands a lot of money for a back up quarterback and it would be surprising to see him back next year.

There are plenty of free agents to sign up and decent amount of cap space to do so. It is unlikely that the Chiefs will be able to resign all of their free agents, Dorsey is facing some difficult decisions. Thankfully for the Chiefs, he has done a terrific job over the past few three seasons and should be trusted once again.

Next: Free agents to target

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