How Kansas City Chiefs can rebuild defense this off-season

By Ian Wharton | Jan 23, 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a sack against the Indianapolis Colts with teammate Chris Jones #95 during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

2. Re-sign or tag Dee Ford

Unfortunately for Dee Ford, his fantastic contract year may have been spoiled by an ill-timed offside that bought Tom Brady another chance to take the lead. Brady converted, and the rest is history. Though Ford failed to make an impact against the Patriots, the Chiefs can’t afford to let the pass-rusher walk for nothing this off-season.

Ford will be 28 this off-season and hasn’t been a consistent force through his first five seasons, so he’s the perfect franchise tag candidate. The Chiefs likely don’t want to commit long-term to him as he nears 30, and making him prove it again in 2019 and re-evaluating next year can save them money even if he plays well.

With 23 sacks in his last two full seasons (2016 and 2018), he will earn a big contract somewhere if they don’t tag him. The pass-rusher market will be thinned out by extensions and tags, so don’t expect the Chiefs to replace Ford easily should he walk and the team gets involved in the market. With about $35 million to work with, they can afford his $15 million tag and move other money around to add other upgrades.

If they do opt to sign him long-term, a four-year, $52 million deal or even higher looks realistic. There haven’t been many 3-4 rushers on the market lately, and demand should help Ford score more money.

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