Chiefs: Free Agency, Day Two

Laddie Morse

Let’s take another look at Day One of Free Agency — Legal Tampering Period — to see specifically where the Chiefs biggest rivals have changed. Let’s begin by reviewing the Chiefs moves. They not only wrapped up DT Chris Jones to a huge deal, but they have also re-signed LB Drue Tranquill, and Long Snapper James Winchester, and have lost Tommy Townsend to the Texans (see far below). K.C. has also announced an Exclusive Rights Tender signing of four other players:

.

.

Players who become Exclusive Rights Free Agents:

.

“… by having an active-roster contract expire before accruing three seasons of service time (a mark that would see them qualify for restricted free agency). A team can retain their services by offering them a one-year, minimum salary contract. If tendered a contract offer, exclusive rights free agents may not negotiate with other teams.”

.

Also,

.

.

Next, let’s consider the AFC West.

.

AFC West

The quarterback situation in the Chiefs division.

.

.

Chargers Outgoing:

.

.

Broncos Outgoing;

.

.

From what it looks like here, the Chargers will be the only team in the Chiefs division who will give them any problems. On the other hand, the Chargers are perennial tissue-paper champions and everyone’s grandma analyst choses them to win the division. Ha. The biggest move seems to be Christian Wilkins moving from the Dolphins to the Raiders in Vegas. Many think that if Chris Jones had been allowed to make it to Free Agency (at least to the Legal Tampering period) he would have been offered a boat load of cash from the Raiders.

.

.

Here’s what Mina Kimes says about the addition of Christian Wilkins to the Raiders defense and his positive effect on Maxx Crosby (0:56):

.

.

The Raiders are looking for QB help too:

.

.

I know… JUSTIN FIELDS… it’s laughable… right… but… there you have it. However, there’s no doubt that the Raiders defensive front will be improved this coming year.

.

.

Here’s a further review of the AFC West:

.

.

There approximately eight teams in the AFC who I would consider contenders for the Lamar Hunt Trophy in 2024. They are as follows:

.

.

You might think there’s more, or less, but we’ll go with these for now. Why? Because these are the only teams that made any significant actions on the first day of Free Agency, so these are the one’s I’ll look at.

.

.

Buffalo Bills

QB Mitchell Trubisky: Signed, 2-year, $5.25 M

OT Dion Dawkins: Agreed to 3-year, $60.5 M extension

OG David Edwards: Agreed to a 2-year extension

Edge A.J. Epenesa: Re-signing 2-year extension – $20 million.

CB Cam Lewis: Re-signing 2-year extension

S Taylor Rapp: Re-signed to a 3-year extension

.

.

Miami Dolphins

Lost DT Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders

TE Jonnu Smith: Signed 2-year, $10M deal

LB Anthony Walker: Agreed to 1-year deal

CB Nik Needham: Re-signed, free-agent deal

From NFL.com:

.

“[Terron] Armstead, 33, still had three years remaining on the five-year pact he inked with Miami as the top free-agent offensive tackle in 2022. The agreement is expected to lower the left tackle’s cap hit, a must considering the Dolphins have the league’s worst cap situation — sitting more than $23 million in the negative — according to Over the Cap.”

..

Armstead intends to play in his 12th season.

.

.

.

Baltimore Ravens

WR Nelson Agholor: Signed a 1-year extension

DL Justin Madubuike: Re-signed a 4-year, $98M contract, $75.5M guaranteed. Had a non-exclusive franchise tag

.

.

Cleveland Browns

WR Jerry Jeudy: from the Broncos exchanged for 5th-and-6th-round picks in 2024. Trade does not become official until new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13

Edge Za’Darius Smith: Re-signing a 2-year, $23.5 million deal max value $25M

.

.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers don’ usually make offseason deals much like the Green Bay Packers on the NFC side. However, this time they took in a QB: Russell Wilson because they won’t have to pay anything but the league minimum. Wilson was jettisoned by the Broncos who wanted to make a fresh start at QB even though it will also cost them dearly.

QB Russell Wilson: Plans to sign with the Steelers when the new league year begins

.

.

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Tee Higgins: Received non-exclusive franchise tag will pay around $21.8M for 2024 season

TE Drew Sample: Re-signed to 3-year, $10.5 M extension $4.9M in 2024

OG Cody Ford: Re-signed to 1-year deal

.

Bengals Incoming:

.

.

Bengals Outgoing:

.

.

Bengals RB Replacement:

.

.

.

Houston Texans

TE Dalton Schultz: Re-signed a 3-year, $36M deal includes $23.5M guaranteed

DL Denico Autry: Signs 2-year, $20M deal, includes $10.5M guaranteed

CB Mike Ford: Agreed to a 2-year deal, $4.5M

CB Lonnie Johnson: Signs a 1-year contract

CB Jeff Okudah: Signs 1-year, $4.25M deal worth $6 million and $2.5M guaranteed

K Ka’imi Fairbairn: Agreed to 3-year, $15.9M extension

.

.

.

.

Jacksonville Jags

QB Mac Jones: Acquired from the Patriots in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick. Trade does not become official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13

WR Gabe Davis: Signing 3-year, $39M deal, max value of $50M

OL Blake Hance: Signed extension

OG Ezra Cleveland: Signed a three-year deal worth $28.5 million that includes $14.5 million guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)

C Mitch Morse: Agreed to 2-year, $10.5M deal, $7M guaranteed

Edge Josh Allen: non-exclusive franchise tag, will pay $24M

S Darnell Savage: Signing 3-year deal

.

.

The New England Patriots no longer qualify as a contender but… “they have agreed to terms with QB Jacoby Brissett, who gets $8M on a 1-year deal.” I’m certain I missed some additions and subtractions to these AFC Contender’s rosters, but we’ll pick it up again when things get rolling later this morning. Looks like the Chiefs are done with TE project Joy Fortson… for the time being.

.

.

.

If you know specifically of any addition or subtractions… please fell free to list them below.

.

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

.