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The Kansas City Chiefs cleared $2 million in cap space for the 2020 NFL season by restructuring the contract of DE Alex Okafor. The move brings their projected total in cap space for 2020 to over $14 million. As with the mentioning of any salary-cap-related move, fans chimed in wishing for the team to sign the hot-ticket free agent available.
Could the team be gearing up to make a splashy free-agent signing with their newfound money? It isn’t outside the realm of possibility, especially with the looming reality of the 2021 salary cap floor being set at $175 million. The Chiefs are already projected to be over the salary cap in 2021. The team has 15 unrestricted free agents in 2021, most of whom are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming season.
The “Run it Back” tour that the players keep preaching might be a one-year opportunity for Kansas City with their current complement of players. They might even have to cut more players to get the team under the 2021 salary cap depending on revenue shortfall this season. So why not use the money you have if you’re the Chiefs and go all-in on this funky 2020 NFL season?
So for everyone in the comments asking, “What about Jadeveon Clowney? Is it possible that Clowney could be convinced to join Kansas City?”
I say, absolutely. In fact, it might be his best bet at eventually landing the $20 million per year contract that he believes he deserves.
Clowney hasn’t reached the elite pass-rushing status that he was known for in college, making him the No. 1 overall pick in 2014. He has 32 career sacks in 75 games played, but no more than nine sacks in a single season. He has struggled to stay healthy and that has been part of the problem. However, playing alongside a duo like Clark and Jones for a year could allow him to achieve that double-digit sacks and reach that elite status. A year later he could be hitting free agency with a Super Bowl ring and a whole new narrative surrounding his career.
But what about another free agent besides Clowney? There are still others out there who could help in Kansas City. This afternoon, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that free agent Logan Ryan envisions himself as a safety in the upcoming season.
Numbers don’t lie 📊🔒 https://t.co/1MfUnXKQDd
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) August 10, 2020
Andy Reid’s recent words on the status of second-year safety Juan Thornhill, who is currently on the PUP list, didn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence that he’ll be ready to start the season. They’re not too inclined to rush him back from his ACL injury, which is a good thing. But if Thornhill isn’t ready to go to start the season, could a player like Ryan be the answer? His versatility would certainly be an interesting complement to a player like Tyrann Mathieu. Just look above at the stats that Ryan put up last season with the Titans.
The likeliest scenario remains that, no, the Chiefs are not gearing up to make a big splash in free agency. The move with Okafor’s contract seems like a formality to help the team roll some extra money over into the 2021 season, instead of making the decision to simply cut him outright. Still, it’s fun to think about the possibility of an already great team getting better with some of the remaining free agents out there.
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