Interesting article here. Not a huge fan of Verderame but he was at the Super Bowl and he does go to the combine. I think he gets some tips, albeit from Terez (who is a nice guy).
Here is the most interesting part of the article. 2021 and 2022 would be extremely difficult to manage.
Originally Posted by :
What the Chiefs can do with their money
Looking at Kansas City’s cap situation, it can release wide receiver Sammy Watkins and linebacker Damien Wilson, clearing out $18.5 million in space. Combined with rollover money and already existing room, that’s enough cash for Veach to tag Jones, re-sign a few other pending free agents and extend Patrick Mahomes.
Speaking of Mahomes, the 24-year-old quarterback is likely to soon be the highest-paid player in the league. This is another important factor to consider.
Let’s play GM for a moment and do the following to the Chiefs’ roster:
•Cut Sammy Watkins
•Cut Damien Wilson
•Cut Cam Erving
Extend Patrick Mahomes on a five-year, $200 million deal
Use franchise tag on Chris Jones
Allow $10 million for free agents and draft picks
Keep $2 million in emergency space
Using the Jared Goff and Carson Wentz extension structures as a template, Mahomes’ cap hit would approximately be $11 million this season. Factor in Jones’ tag and the $12 million outlined above, and Kansas City is laying out $35 million.
The Chiefs could do it. But while it’s palatable for 2020, what about 2021 and beyond?
If Kansas City gave Mahomes the aforementioned extension, his cap number would be enormous in 2021, potentially the full $40 million figure. If the Chiefs also signed Jones to Clark’s exact deal, the cap number would be $22.7 million in 2021.
If we account for a slight rise in the NFL salary cap both this year and next, it’ll be around $210 million. Under these parameters, Kansas City would be looking at the following cap hits in 2021:
Patrick Mahomes ($40M)
Frank Clark ($24.2M)
Chris Jones ($22.7)
Tyrann Mathieu ($19.7M)
Tyreek Hill ($15.7M)
In total, the top five players on the Chiefs would be earning $122.3 million, or 58 percent of the salary cap.
Going into this offseason with a projected $200 million salary cap, only one team is currently allocating more than 50 percent to their top five players: the Los Angeles Rams at 54 percent.
Kansas City can always create cap space with extensions and releases, but tying up such a large chunk of money in five players is dangerous. The Chiefs would be largely unable to sign any other meaningful free agents for a few years — including their own — while being completely reliant on the draft to restock departing talent.
In his three years at the helm, Veach has proven to believe in acquiring top-shelf talent and filling in around them with low-cost, high-upside veteran deals (see: Damien Williams, Stefen Wisniewski, Mike Pennel) and rookie deals.
Jones certainly fits Veach’s profile. The question is if he fits into Kansas City’s payroll.
Originally Posted by The Franchise:
Has your source been right about other things Chiefs related?
Yes.
I will say that they have more inside info when it comes to KU, but they have never shared bad information about the Chiefs.
Take it for what it is, third party knowledge. The national guys could be feeding that narrative the Chiefs want (that they ideally want to sign Jones to a long-term extension) OR my source is getting bad information on this one. It's obvious my person is connected with someone inside KU and the Chiefs organization because of what they share. I was just sharing with you all what I was told about Jones. [Reply]
Originally Posted by The Franchise:
No one said to extend Clark.
You extend HB because he’s on year 2 of his 3 year deal and he’s proven that we need to keep him for longer. Plus it lowers his cap hit this year and gives us more room.
Restructure or whatever it was on Clark.
Mathieu will be 30 at the end of his current deal. How long do you want to extend him? another 2 years. Where he will be 32. With that kind of age and history that seems dangerous. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chief Roundup:
Restructure or whatever it was on Clark.
Mathieu will be 30 at the end of his current deal. How long do you want to extend him? another 2 years. Where he will be 32. With that kind of age and history that seems dangerous.
Well, you’d presumably be able to get out of it either the last year or maybe even before that if necessary.
His age wouldn’t scare me, but injuries are something that could happen. It’s a risk. He’s played all 16 games the past 3 years, though.
Safeties don’t typically age too bad. Plus he’s the leader of the defense. [Reply]
Originally Posted by SAUTO:
Chris Jones said that he reported without any problems last year because Veach told him they would get the deal done. i believe him
He’s not going anywhere.
Listen to the path of conversations from camp to now.
Everything both sides say indicate he’s not going anywhere.
Veach even drinks stone cold soda and Jones talks about being a Chief his whole career and specifically about the next few years like it’s a lock he’s going to be here.
Watkins is gone (trades for a 3rd or 4th) and Jones is here to stay. [Reply]
I absolutely love Sammy Watkins, and he showed just how good a player he can be in the playoffs. But if I'm choosing between him and Jones, I'll always pick Jones. Having a DT that can penetrate the way he does is just so rare and important.
I know there seems to be this feeling that he freelances and doesn't play well against the run but i don't buy it. From what I saw in the playoffs he was integral part of the defense tightening up. He was preaching about playing unselfish in his pre-superbowl speech for fucks sake. This defense will only get better the longer they play in Spags' scheme. Keep the core together and it'll take some of the pressure off Mahomes.
Sammy is a great player and he will be a tough loss, but I think Mahomes softens the blow a bit. The guy can make anyone look good. I also think there is some truth to the saying there are only so many balls to go around, we're spoilt for choice. Jones will be a much bigger loss IMO. [Reply]
A great player in the playoffs who disappears for 15 regular season games is still a liability. I love Watkins but I think we can pick up someone who's going to be more productive in the regular season and by the end of the season Hardman should be up to speed as WR threat #2. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefs=Champions:
I absolutely love Sammy Watkins, and he showed just how good a player he can be in the playoffs. But if I'm choosing between him and Jones, I'll always pick Jones. Having a DT that can penetrate the way he does is just so rare and important.
I know there seems to be this feeling that he freelances and doesn't play well against the run but i don't buy it. From what I saw in the playoffs he was integral part of the defense tightening up. He was preaching about playing unselfish in his pre-superbowl speech for ****s sake. This defense will only get better the longer they play in Spags' scheme. Keep the core together and it'll take some of the pressure off Mahomes.
Sammy is a great player and he will be a tough loss, but I think Mahomes softens the blow a bit. The guy can make anyone look good. I also think there is some truth to the saying there are only so many balls to go around, we're spoilt for choice. Jones will be a much bigger loss IMO.
I think Jones is a very talented individual. I think under the previous regime, quite a few players played 'for themselves'. Taking plays off, etc.
I think it took Jones a bit to fully buy in this season.
I think it literally might've been after the Titans game.
But he did, they all did, and now they've got rings.
I would really love to keep him. I'm not sure they can. [Reply]
I would love to keep Jones I am a big fan of disruptive interior linemen but I think it is more of a luxury than a necessity , I would prefer upgrading at LB and hoping our young DTs can take a big leap next year. Having versatile LBs that can cover RBs and TEs and blitz would be nice.
