Chiefs: Restructured 2021 Salary Cap – Team Needs – What Needs to be done with the Kansas City Chiefs roster this offseason, in order to complete a makeover? While we don’t know what Brett Veach’s master plan is, I’ve heard many others views and numerous discussions. So, here’s my “sensible” plan. My choices might not be agreeable to some, because some fans have a hard time in letting go of the past. However, sometimes a team has to take a step back in order to move forward, and since all teams will have a down year with the salary cap, that money must be spent wisely and economically. I trust in Brett Veach and his staff to make the right decisions, albeit very difficult ones.
Here’s the current salary cap situation provided by Sportrac and OvertheCap:
| Position | Cap Dollars |
| Offense | $103,868,691 |
| Defense | $97,781,414 |
| Special Teams | $5,822,500 |
| Breeland Speaks | $693,525 |
| Current Salary Cap | $208,166,130 |
| 2021Projected Cap | $190,000,000 |
| Chiefs 2021 Cap Available | -$18,166,130 |
Salary Cap Info
The league office has not yet released the actual bottom 2021 Cap amount yet. Although…
While it appears that Adam Schefter is saying the league has informed teams that the minimum will be $180M, that’s not to say it won’t be higher. He’s saying, that’s just the minimum. The keyword is minimum! I’ve seen estimates anywhere from $175,000,000 to $195,000,000. So, I’ve set my amount at $190,000,000 for the benefit of this article which, as you can see, puts the Chiefs at $18,166,130 above that projection.
I’m sure Brett Veach already knows how he’s going to reduce salaries in order to be under the allowed amount by the start of the new league year (no matter what the final amount is), which is March 17th. As I move through the position groups, I’ll show where changes need to be made in regards to both talent and salary spent.
QB Changes Needed
K.C. could resign Matt Moore to the league minimum for a veteran at $1M, then in training camp hold honest tryouts for the 2nd and 3rd backup QBs. While Chad Henne served the Chiefs well last year when needed, Matt Moore also played well 2 years ago when he was needed. We haven’t seen what Jordan Ta’amu capabilities are, other than serving as a good scout quarterback, imitating running style QBs. While Chad is 35 years old, how much quality football does he have left, and if Matt (is 36 years old) did earn the #2 spot with Jordan at #3 it would save the Chiefs roughly $500,000 to $750,000. Only the Chiefs know what they have in those three, but with the tight budget restraints, all options must be tried, time will tell.
| Quarterbacks | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap Savings Cut: Post-June 1 |
| Patrick Mahomes | $24,806,905 | $54,256,905 | $29,450,000.00 |
| Chad Henne | $1,625,000 | $375,000 | $1,250,000 |
| Sub Total | $26,431,905 |
Running Backs
We can see that Damien is a post June cut option, saving $2,175,000, but not an appropriate thing to do since he opted out last year, and the last time we watched him play was at a high level. Can the Chiefs really afford to pay out $5.2 million to both Clyde and Damien? Does Damien have at least two more years of quality football left at 29 years old? If he does, offer him a new contract, lowering his cap hit to about $2.0M. Whatever happens with Damien, a for sure option is to re-sign Darrel Williams for two or three years at an average of about $ 1.0M per year, and move on from Darwin Thompson, then find a replacement as an UDFA, from college ranks. That would elevate the depth, while maintaining the same salary hit.
| Running Back | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap SavingsCut: Post-June 1 |
| Damien Williams | $2,783,334 | $533,334 | $2,175,000 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | $2,459,448 | $5,273,173 | $2,813,724 |
| Darwin Thompson | $891,460 | $31,960 | $860,000 |
| Derrick Gore | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $6,914,242 |
Wide Receivers
Tyreek needs to be restructured to a new contract adding additional years, and I propose a 3 to 4 year deal backloaded worth about $60 to $70 million total, but only $10.0M cap hit in 2021, with a $40 million signing bonus. This would save the Chiefs about $3 million in salary this year, which they need to find a free agent WR that has speed, talent, and potential. Someone who is looking for a 1-year prove-it, incentive laden deal. Byron Pringle is an Exclusive Restricted Free Agent, so he needs to be re-signed at the league minimum 1-year deal, but with performance incentives, then have an open competition for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string WRs. I also believe Brett Veach will be looking to upgrade the WRs in the 3rd to 5th rounds of the upcoming draft.
| Wide Receiver | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap SavingsCut: Post-June 1 |
| Tyreek Hill | $15,850,500 | $2,650,000 | $13,200,500 |
| Mecole Hardman | $1,362,287 | $413,191 | $949,096 |
| Chad Williams | $920,000 | $0 | $920,000 |
| Gehrig Dieter | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Maurice Ffrench | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Joe Forston | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $20,472,787 |
Tight Ends
Don’t have much to change here, but do need to to add a legitimate second receiving threat, and a potential replacement for Travis Kelce, once his skill level deteriorates because of age. For at least this year add enough talent to spell Travis throughout the games, which would serve to prolong his career, and maintain his endurance for the entirety of the playoffs.
| Tight End | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap Savings Cut: Post-June 1 |
| Travis Kelce | $13,250,000 | $12,250,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Sean Culkin | $850,000 | $0 | $850,000 |
| Evan Baylis | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $14,880,000 |
Offensive Lineman
We’ve seen the age of the Chiefs offensive line at its worst in Super Bowl LV, in order to get healthier with the overall play of this group it is time to move on from Eric Fisher, and Mitchell Schwartz. Eric will not be ready for the 2021 season, and if Mitchell is not 100% on day one, and his back is not strong enough to play 20 games… it’s time to look to the future. Injury settlement for the two of them saves the Chiefs $18,000,000.
We’ve not seen any on-field abilities from Lucas Niang, as he opted out (Covid) his rookie year. However, a 3rd round draft pick is expected to be a starting tackle. Then I expect the Chiefs to draft a starting tackle on the opposite side of the field. With a healthy Martinas Rankin and Yasir Durant, I would hope they have the depth at tackle covered. RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is returning from a Covid opt out season, and LG Nick Allegretti’s progression should improve the starting guard positions.
OC Austin Reiter, a Free Agent this offseason, has been questioned for his play. How much was Austin’s deficiencies, because of the poor guard play on each side of him? Would rather give a veteran another season with quality guards, than what’s available in free agency or the draft. Re-sign him to a two-year contract, $11.0M with $5.0M going against 2021 cap.
| Offensive Line | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap Savings Cut: Post-June 1 |
| Eric Fisher | $15,181,668 | $3,181,668 | $11,968,750 |
| Mitchell Schwartz | $10,005,000 | $3,750,000 | $6,161,250 |
| Laurent Duvenay-Tardif | $4,750,000 | $4,750,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Brian Witzman | $990,000 | $0 | $990,000 |
| Martinas Rankin | $920,000 | $0.00 | $920,000 |
| Nick Allegretti | $887,988 | $27,988 | $860,000 |
| Yasir Durant | $783,333 | $3,333 | $780,000 |
| Lucas Niang | $871,768 | $211,768 | $660,000 |
| Prince Tega-Wanogho | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $35,169,757 |
Defensive Lineman
This group is salary strapped because of Chris Jones and Frank Clark’s contracts. They could save $200,000 be resigning Derrick Nnadi to a new 3-year deal. Then they need to re-sign Taco Charlton to a 2-year deal for about $3.0M, but only a $780,000 cap hit next year. Also need a development edge rusher in middle rounds of this years draft. Last years rookies, Tershawn Wharton and Mike Danna, should continue to see increased snaps in 2021.
| Defensive Line | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap Savings Cut: Post-June 1 |
| Frank Clark | $25,800,000 | $25,300,000 | $500,000 |
| Chris Jones | $21,875,000 | $21,875,000 | $0.00 |
| Alex Okafor | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $0.00 |
| Derrick Nnadi | $1,209,850 | $239,850 | $2,183,000 |
| Khalen Saunders | $1,103,795 | $228,795 | $875,000 |
| Mike Danna | $845,915 | $65,915 | $780,000 |
| Tershawn Wharton | $781,666 | $1,666 | $780,000 |
| Tyler Clark | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Tim Ward | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $55,176,226 |
Linebackers
Anthony Hitchens finished last year showing better play than we had seen from him in 3 years, but he still doesn’t have a value of $10M per year. Re-sign him for 3 years with an incentive based escape clause in the third year, and a total of $20.0M with only a $750,000 cap hit next year. That would save $3 million. Then, also offer Damien Wilson a 1-year contract for about $1.0M, if he declines they could add a rookie to compete with what is listed below. If Dorian Daniel is not going to receive more snaps, then release him, saving, $850,000. Darius Harris showed promise in his limited reps.
| Linebacker | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap Savings Cut: Post-June 1 |
| Anthony Hitchens | $10,661,250 | $4,233,750 | $6,500,000 |
| Willie Gay Jr. | $1,197,965 | $1,070,526 | $127,339 |
| Dorian ODanieI | $1,138,379 | $190,379 | $948,000 |
| Demone Harris | $850,000 | $0 | $850,000 |
| Emmanuel Smith | $850,000 | $0 | $850,000 |
| Omari Cobb | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Darius Harris | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $16,257,594 |
Secondary
This group appears to be set with Steve Spagnuolo’s normal set of 5 starters, they just need to add low cost depth. Tyrann Mathieu needs to be extended 3 to 4 more years, for a new total of about $65M to $70M, but reduce 2021 salary cap hit to $11.7 million (3 years, only $50 million).
| Secondary | Cap Number | Dead Money | Cap Savings Cut: Post-June 1 |
| Tyrann Mathieu | $19,733,334 | $4.933,334 | $14,800,000 |
| Juan Thornhill | $1,258,709 | $344,139 | $914,570 |
| Armani Watts | $1,088,061 | $158,058 | $930,000 |
| L’Jarius Sneed | $938,580 | $158,580 | $780,000 |
| Rashad Fenton | $898,205 | $38,205 | $860,000 |
| Deandre Baker | $850,000 | $0 | $850,000 |
| Thakarius Keyes | $800,705 | $20,705 | $780,000 |
| Rodney Clemons | $780,000 | $0 | $780,000 |
| Sub Total | $26,347,594 |
Good to go for another year as Tommy Townsend improves on his punting abilities, especially placing them inside the 20-yard line.
The remaining current Chiefs players with active contracts, that do not count against the salary cap:
| Player | Salary |
| Antonio Callaway WR | $660,000 |
| Austin Edwards DE | $660,000 |
| Dalton Schoen WR | $660,000 |
| Jordan Ta’amu QB | $660,000 |
| Darryl Williams C | $660,000 |
| Anthony Gordon QB | $2,021 |
Free Agency
I’ll start by listing the Chiefs Free Agents from NFL.com. At this point I would only re-sign five players off of the list. The Chiefs have three ERFA’s, two of them could be re-signed without affecting the cap.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA): Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
| Player | Pos. | Last Years Salary | Designation |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | $9,000,000 | UFA |
| Alex Okafor | DE | $5,966,667 | UFA |
| Daniel Sorensen | SS | $4,000,000 | UFA |
| Bashaud Breeland | CB | $3,000,000 | UFA |
| Damien Wilson | OLB | $2,875,000 | UFA |
| Demarcus Robinson | WR | $2,297,500 | UFA |
| Austin Reiter | C | $2,250,000 | UFA |
| Kelechi Osemele | G | $1,187,500 | UFA |
| Mike Remmers | RT | $1,187,500 | UFA |
| Anthony Sherman | FB | $1,187,500 | UFA |
| Tanoh Kpassagnon | DE | $1,080,306 | UFA |
| Daniel Kilgore | C | $1,050,000 | UFA |
| Mike Pennel | DT | $1,047,500 | UFA |
| Antonio Hamilton | CB | $1,047,000 | UFA |
| Le’Veon Bell | RB | $1,000,000 | UFA |
| Taco Charlton | DE | $825,000 | UFA |
| Darrel Williams | OL | $575,000 | ERFA |
| Ben Niemann | LB | $572,000 | RFA |
| Charvarius Ward | CB | $570,000 | RFA |
| Deon Yelder | TE | $540,000 | RFA |
| Andrew Wylie | Ol | $525,000 | RFA |
| Nick Keizer | TE | $610,000 | ERFA |
| Alex Brown | T | $525,000 | ERFA |
| Byron Pringle | WR | $540,000 | ERFA |
Salary Savings
Note: Red stars are a must*
This creates new available amount of $12,833,870
Bottom 5 salaries of top 51 no longer against the overall cap – $3,900,000
Final Tally: $12,833,870 – $9,500,000 + $3,900,000 = $7,233,870
Rookie Draft Picks amount needed – $5,000,000
A Final Word
My math, when all deals are met is: $2,233,870 (in the black) and that’s for Brett Veach to play with. As I stated at the start, tough decisions are needed that many will not like, agree with, or will criticize (feel free). My plan is setting the Chiefs for a long term future with continuity, as in the same 5 lineman playing together as close to 100% of the snaps all season long. This year should be a down year in free agency, making it easier for the Chiefs to adjust contracts close to what I’ve pointed out. Comments and insights are welcome.
Alan Haupt — ArrowheadOne
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