Chiefs have fourth-most dead cap for 2020 because of Eric Berry’s contract

Without Berry’s contract, the Kansas City Chiefs would have less than $175,000 in dead cap for 2020.

The Kansas City Chiefs had a great 2019 season, ending on the highest possible note by winning Super Bowl LIV.

As we inch closer to the 2020 league year, there’s at least one glaring reminder of the past mistakes that the franchise made. In addition to being tight up against the salary cap, with a projected $16.5 million in space, the Chiefs currently have the fourth-most dead cap space the 2020 season according to Spotrac.

They’re a far cry away from the Carolina Panthers, who have over $19 million more in dead cap for the upcoming season. Still, Kansas City is wasting a big chunk of money for the 2020 season and it’s all thanks to the contract of former Chiefs safety Eric Berry.

Former Chiefs GM John Dorsey signed Berry to a monster six-year, $78 million dollar contract in 2017. The contract made him the highest-paid safety in football. He played in exactly four games after signing that contract, all due to an Achilles injury in 2017 and a mysterious heel injury the following season. Berry was released ahead of the 2019 season and Kansas City still has $8 million on the books in 2020 for Berry’s contract.

If the Chiefs weren’t paying for Berry, they would have less than $175,000 in dead cap for players like Tremon Smith, Kahlil McKenzie, Kyle Shurmur, Byron Pringle, Cody Thompson and Jack Fox. With some more cap casualties likely in the coming weeks leading up to he 2020 free agency period, the Chiefs could end up in the No. 2 spot with relative ease. If they decide to move on from receiver Sammy Watkins, they’ll be on the hook for $7 million in dead cap space.

Luckily for Kansas City, current GM Brett Veach doesn’t seem doomed to make the same mistakes with contracts as his predecessor did. Even with some tough decisions ahead, he should be capable of keeping the team protected long-term.

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