The defensive back is the heart of everything Kansas City does defensively, but also in the locker room, and it would be difficult to replace him with just one player.
KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Chiefs They got off to an uncharacteristic start in 2021, losing four of their first seven games. Turnovers were a big problem, as was a porous defense that allowed a lot of big plays. The chiefs they managed to fix both problems and turned their season around by winning their next eight games.
They eventually finished the regular season tied for the best mark in the season. AFC at 12-5. After winning a couple of playoff games, his season ended in bitter disappointment at the AFC Championship Gamewhen they squandered a 21-3 lead and fell in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals. The undoing of him was a terrible second half from the quarterback patrick mahomes and a defense that failed to finish against the quarterback of the Bengals, Joe Burrow.
The chiefs they finished 29th in sacks last season, so making substantial improvements will be an offseason priority. The chiefs they have a long list of free agents, and combined with a tight salary-cap situation, it’s almost a guarantee that changes are coming.
Projected Space Against Salary Cap: $13.7 million under the salary cap.
Top Free Agents: OT Orlando Brown, CB Mike Hughes, DE Melvin Ingram, S Tyrann Mathieu, LB Ben Niemann, DT Derrick Nnadi, WR Byron Pringle, DT Jarran Reed, S Daniel Sorensen, RB Darrel Williams, OT Andrew Wylie.
Potential candidates to be cut: the defensive end frank clark has not met the expectations of the contract given to him by the chiefs three years ago, after acquiring it in exchange with the Seahawks. The chiefs about $12.7 million would be saved against his cap by releasing him. Kansas City he already took a first step with the loss of the linebacker Anthony Hitchenswhich recovered about 8.4 million against the cap.
What you need to know: The chiefs They seem headed for a defensive line rebuild that won’t match last year’s offensive line, but will still be significant. Ingram, Nnadi, Reed and Alex Okafor they played a lot last season, but they’re potential free agents. Clark could be cut. That would leave Chris Jones along with two other players who are productive, but fit better as part of a rotation in mike danna and Tershawn Wharton. The chiefs were the 11th sacking team in 2019, when they won the superbowl, but slipped to No. 20 the following year, and now to No. 29 last year. The chiefs they did a good job of pressing the passers after the slow start, but they couldn’t turn it into sacks. Burrow escaped pressure on multiple occasions during the AFC Championship Gamean important factor in the victory of the Bengals.
The big question: Do they renew chiefs with Mathieu? He’s been at the heart of everything they do on the field and in the locker room since he signed with them three years ago, and he would be hard to replace with a player. His versatility includes lining up in multiple positions, including coverage from the slot, and has been essential for chiefs. He left the party Divisional Round of playoffs against buffalo bills in one of the first plays, after suffering a concussion. defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo He later said that the chiefs they had to scrap a defensive package they had planned against the Billsbecause they did not have someone else sufficiently suitable to play the role of Mathieu. But, Mathieu he will be 30 years old by the time the next season arrives. It has not been the general manager’s habit Brett Veach invest in players late in their careers. If there is a player valuable enough for See break this rule Mathieu.
Best possible scenario for the campaign break: The chiefs find enough cap space to sign left tackle Brown already Mathieu. They also improve their pass rush and acquire a wide receiver who can help right away.
The worst possible scenario for the campaign break: The chiefs They don’t get as impactful a draft as they did last year. Despite not having a first-round pick, the chiefs found solid players at second (linebacker Nick Bolton and the center Creed Humphrey) and sixth (guard Trey Smith) laps. Finding cheap, young players to play meaningful roles, regardless of position, is essential for chiefswho need to continue completing the squad around their most expensive players.
First look at the analyst draft for ESPNJordan Reid: The chiefs were looking for another wide receiver last season, and See he could continue that during the current offseason. A rushing defender from the edge and a defensive back are the biggest areas of concern for the club. With both positions among the strongest in the upcoming draft, the franchise will have multiple options.
Priority needs: WR, EDGE, DB.
First turn: No. 30.
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Looking ahead to a defensive rebuild, is there still room for Tyrann Mathieu with the Kansas City Chiefs?