Chiefs: 1 contract Kansas City would like to erase

The Kansas City Chiefs are significantly over the cap prior to the 2021 league year, and we are sure they would like to part ways with this contract.

One year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers to win their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. Credit can be given to the Chiefs’ savvy drafting over the years, as well as some smart free agency signings.

With the Chiefs set to be significantly over the cap entering the 2021 league year, they would like to free up some spending money with the purpose of building a stronger roster to contend for the Super Bowl next season.

If we were in the Chiefs’ shoes, we would try to part ways with linebacker Anthony Hitchens’ contract.

Chiefs: Anthony Hitchens counts for over $22 million in cap space in next two seasons

Back in 2018, the Chiefs were looking to fix their abysmal defense. With a gaping hole at the linebacker position, they set their eyes on Hitchens, who was coming off an impressive four-year tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. Considering Hitchens was the best linebacker on the market, the Chiefs forked over a five-year, $45 million contract.

Hitchens emerged as a leader on Kansas City’s defense in his first three years with the Chiefs — hence why he was named a captain for the team. Plus, he only missed a total of four regular-season games in this span.

In 14 regular-season games in 2020, Hitchens recorded 78 total tackles (two for loss), four quarterback hits and one pass defended. In coverage, Hitchens allowed 24 completions for 218 yards and a touchdown on 31 targets, per Pro Football Reference. Through his three seasons, Hitchens has tallied 301 combined tackles (13 for loss), 10 quarterback hits, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and two sacks.

Even though Hitchens has had a respectable stint in Kansas City, his contract is problematic. Sure, the Chiefs could easily free up cap space by cutting offensive tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, but that just isn’t wise. Everyone saw the impact those two had on the team once they were ruled out of Super Bowl 55. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was running for his life against the Buccaneers pass rush. Cutting one or both of these offensive lineman would do more harm than good. Hitchens does not carry the same impact as those two.

Hitchens accounts for $10.7 million against the cap in 2021 and $12.7 million in 2022. Releasing Hitchens cannot happen right away, however. If the Chiefs were to cut him right before or slightly after the 2021 league year, they would only free up $2.2 million. But, if they were to designate Hitchens as a post-June 1 cut, they would gain $6.4 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.

Getting Hitchens’ deal off the books would do wonders for the Chiefs, especially if they want to bolster their roster for years to come.