Making 11 offensive free company choices for the Chiefs

With free company lower than a month away, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have a great deal of choices to make about gamers who’re set to stroll out the door. On the time of this writing, we estimate that the Chiefs have between $4.8 and $8.8 million in cap house.

This quantity is more likely to change. Kansas Metropolis will certainly make just a few strikes to unlock some cap house earlier than free company formally begins on March 12.

Right now we’re focusing totally on 11 offensive gamers who’re set to be unrestricted free brokers. Let’s attempt to determine what the Chiefs ought to do with them.

Receivers and tight ends

Photograph by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Photographs

WR DeAndre Hopkins

Kansas Metropolis introduced Hopkins in as emergency reinforcement for an injury-riddled place group — and whereas he had his moments in purple and gold, by the point the playoffs rolled round, he was being out-snapped by JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Verdict: Let him stroll

WR Hollywood Brown

After his signing final March, there was a number of hype surrounding the veteran wideout. However his season was truncated by damage earlier than it might even start. Late within the season, he was capable of return — displaying flashes of why the Chiefs have been so enthusiastic about him — however with the emergence of Xavier Worthy, the necessity for him wasn’t as nice as we had anticipated. On the proper value, nonetheless, he might be a helpful weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Verdict: Re-sign if the worth is correct

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

The veteran extensive receiver’s profession was on life help when he was reduce by the New England Patriots final yr, however one man’s cast-off is one other man’s helpful position participant. Typically it’s all a couple of participant being in the proper scenario — and being with a training employees that is aware of the way to make the most of him.

Verdict: Re-sign him to a different one-year deal

WR Justin Watson

The eighth-year veteran has had run in Kansas Metropolis. He’s a stable particular groups participant who makes one or two huge performs a recreation. He’s simply not a high-target man — or somebody who can reliably transfer the chains. And whereas his means to stretch the sector is efficacious, with Xavier Worthy within the fold (and Tyquan Thorton out there to return off the follow squad in a pinch), he’s not as helpful as he as soon as was.

Verdict: Let him stroll

WR Mecole Hardman

Very like Watson, Hardman has had his highlights with the Chiefs. However with Nikko Remigio taking on kick return duties — and contemplating Hardman’s restricted position within the offense — his most likely doesn’t have sufficient worth to justify a roster spot.

Verdict: Let him stroll — and attempt to signal him to the follow squad later

TE Jody Fortson

I’m the captain of the Jody Fortson fan membership, however generally the NFL’s fates are merciless. Fortson’s profession will likely be outlined by his relentless need to combat his means onto an NFL roster, solely to have his hard-won alternative stolen by accidents.

Verdict: Let him stroll

The remainder of the offense

Photograph by Joe Sargent/Getty Photographs

QB Carson Wentz

Head coach Andy Reid desires a veteran quarterback to again up Mahomes. Whereas Wentz suits that invoice, guys like him are available. He was given an opportunity to differentiate himself in his lone begin towards the Denver Broncos in Week 18, he did little to make a case for the Chiefs to re-sign him.

Verdict: Let him stroll

RB Kareem Hunt

In his return to Kansas Metropolis, Hunt gave us a fantastic story of redemption as he tried to seize a chunk of the glory he had watched his former teammates receive. And whereas he was the Chiefs’ most dependable working again in 2024, he has misplaced a step. He now not possesses the explosiveness he as soon as did.

Verdict: Let him stroll

RB Samaje Perine

Like Hunt, Perine’s finest days are behind him. However he nonetheless has a singular talent set as a receiving again that shouldn’t be underestimated. Will that be sufficient to convey him again? And now a yr older, might he match his manufacturing from final yr?

Verdict: Let him stroll

LT D.J. Humphries

When the wheels got here off the Kingsley Suamataia experiment at left deal with (and Wanya Morris was less than the problem of changing him), the Chiefs signed Humphries simply as he was cleared to play after struggling a torn ACL. However the crew didn’t get an excellent have a look at him when he injured his hamstring throughout his first Kansas Metropolis recreation. Nonetheless, whereas he was out there to play in Tremendous Bowl LIX, the Chiefs determined to stay with enjoying left guard Joe Thuney at left deal with. That exhibits you the writing is on the wall for Humphries.

Verdict: Let him stroll

RG Trey Smith

For Smith, it’s not a lot about whether or not the Chiefs wish to re-sign him. As a substitute, it’s can they bring about him again? The All-Professional guard is bound to be one of many hottest names in free company, so his beginning value may be out of Kansas Metropolis’s value vary. As well as, the Chiefs’ former assistant basic supervisor Mike Borganzi is now the Tennessee Titans’ basic supervisor. He has a private affinity for Smith, who was born in Tennessee and performed his faculty ball for the Tennessee Volunteers. All of this implies that in 2025, Smith will likely be enjoying in Nashville below a big multi-year deal. Kansas Metropolis drafted three offensive linemen in 2024. Considered one of them ought to be capable of step in at proper guard.

Verdict: Let him stroll