The Kansas City Chiefs continue to make moves to retain some of their own role players, this time bringing back an exclusive rights free agent.
According to Kansas City Star beat writer Sam McDowell, the Chiefs have tendered a contract offer to TE Nick Keizer. The deal hasn’t been signed yet, but it’s expected to be done. The primary backup to Travis Kelce in 2020, Keizer joined the team back in May of 2019 when they had some injuries at the position. He didn’t make the 53-man roster and spent the rest of the season on the practice squad before signing a reserve/future deal to return in 2020.
Keizer made the 53-man roster out of training camp this year and appeared in all 16 regular-season games, making three starts for the team. He recorded just six receptions for 63 yards on nine targets and was utilized often as an extra blocker on passing downs. He also played over 50% of the teams’ snaps on special teams.
The Chiefs tendered a qualifying offer to tight end Nick Keizer, per source. He's an exclusive rights free agent. It has not yet been signed, but leaning that direction, source said.
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) March 17, 2021
When you tender an exclusive rights free agents, their contract is commensurate with their accrued service time. Keizer will earn a non-guaranteed minimum salary benefit. It won’t be enough money to impact the Chiefs’ salary cap under the top 51 rule.
Kansas City has an interest in upgrading this position group in the draft and possibly even free agency or trade. At the same time, ensuring that you have an option to fall back on is a good business decision. After all, you always need to have competitive depth on the back end of your roster.
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