Chiefs could pursue a top Packers free agent

The Kansas City Chiefs may be adding one of the Green Bay Packers’ top players this offseason.

If the Green Bay Packers cut star pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to help get themselves out of salary cap hell, one team who could be at the front of the line to sign him is the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reports the Chiefs are favored to land Smith if he is cut by the Packers. Smith had a great first two years in Green Bay, but injuries limited him significantly last year. He carries a huge number on this year’s cap and will almost certainly be a cap casualty by cash-strapped Green Bay. Pauline also mentioned the Baltimore Ravens as a landing spot.

The Chiefs struggled to get after the quarterback last year. With mid-season addition Melvin Ingram hitting free agency and Frank Clark’s future with the franchise totally up in the air, adding a high-end player on the mend like Smith would be fairly interesting. Kansas City does need to free up some more cap space, but the Chiefs are in a far better spot than Green Bay is.

Should the Chiefs pursue Smith if he is released by the Packers as an offseason cap casualty?

Kansas City Chiefs free agency rumors: Is Za’Darius Smith worth pursuing?

First things first. The Chiefs must create some more cap space before they even think about doing anything. They have roughly $11.5 million to work with, but that will not be near enough to retain all the key pieces internally they want, as well as pursue players like Smith should he become available. However, Smith returning to 2019 or 2020 form would be worth every last dollar.

That is why it is such a gamble to bet on Smith. If the Packers cut him and he returns to greatness, the Packers will have egg on their face. Should a team bank on him bouncing back once he hits the open market, let’s hope that risky investment works out. Simply put, Smith will not make Packers money once he is cut, but a healthy pass rusher playing with a chip on his shoulder is worth a look.

If the Chiefs did sign Smith below market value, he could help them get back to the Super Bowl.