Laddie Morse
The 2023 Offseason is filled with tasks for General Manager Brett Veach and his crew to do, as much, if not more, than any other year. When you think about it, his to-do list is longer than it’s ever been. Now that the Chiefs have the best QB in the business, Patrick Mahomes II, it’s imparative that Brett Veach keep him surrounded with players who can get him back to the Super Bowl each season. While that may not be as easy as it sounds, Veach has had two very good drafts the past two offseasons (information provided by Pro Football Reference):
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With the exception of 4 out of 16 players — Kinnard, Kaindoh, Powell, and N. Johnson — every drafted prospect over the past two seasons has made a significant contribution of snaps on their side of the ball (even Nazeeh Johnson has been active on Special Teams where he’s gotten 33% of the snaps) . These 12+ drafted players over he past two years have done enough to help the Chiefs win Super Bowl 57. That’s also enough for me to “Trust In Veach.” A quote you may often hear me voice over the next couple of draft season months.
Trust In Veach
What this phrase means to me is… while I will do my best to predict his actions, in the end… I will trust in whatever he and his team decides. After all, they did win two of the last four Super Bowls and went to three in the process. I also “trust” him because a few years back he needed to fix the Safety position… and did. Then, the next offseason, he was tasked with fixing the Offensive Line… and he did just that. Sure, he’s made his share of blunders… like drafting DL Breeland Speaks (at all) and then RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (in the first round), but otherwise, he seems to have been learning from his mistakes and that’s all we can ask for. His late round draft picks have been incredible too: Isiah Pacheco (7th), Trey Smith (6th), and Jaylen Watson (7th). The last two offseasons have been so good… the “Trust In Veach” admonition is very well deserved.
Over the Moon and Back
Over the Cap provides us with a lot of details about our Chiefs. Here is a listing they created of the Chiefs own free agents in order of importance, beginning with the list on the left:
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I’m only re-posting the OTC list (above) to show the order they have created. I’ll be using that list to predict who the Chiefs will re-sign out of all their Free Agents, and who they will not:
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Orlando Brown Junior – First of all, I hope that K.C. tags, and has OBJr. play on that tag amount: which is just barely under $20M for 2023. If they re-sign him long term, it could be more down the line when they have more in future years to share. Re-signing OBJr. this year to a longer term deal, also means saving some cap room this season. In a piece by Lyle Graversen for ArrowheadAddict, called “Why the Kansas City Chiefs Don’t Have to Re-sign Anyone” he says of Orlando Brown Jr.:
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“Brown is probably the only player on this list that they need to make sure doesn’t walk. However, they still shouldn’t overpay him. He’s a solid starting left tackle and you need that, but he isn’t consistent enough to make the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL.”
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Andrew Wylie – I also agree with David Bell, in his piece called: “Thoughts on the Upcoming 2023 Offseason,” as he says the Chiefs will try to re-sign Andrew Wylie if possible and I can go along with that. However, the more I see the priorities for Brett Veach, the more I recognize the issues with the cap and it doesn’t appear to me that he’ll have enough in the coffers to re-sign Wylie, unless he takes a team-friendly deal, that’s actually way out of line with what he could get from another team. On the other hand, Reid may be telling Veach that he and the coaches are ready to advance Lucas Niang (or someone else they have waiting in the wings) and that they’ll have to move on from Wylie. Yes, Wylie played a very good game in Super Bowl 57, but like David Bell, I’m not so sure we want to see Wylie as a regular RT, so whether it’s Niang or someone else, it’s time to Trust in Veach –> that means they are highly likely to get the RT position covered one way or the other.
Carlos Dunlap & Frank Clark – DE Carlos Dunlap is an unknown in my book. I just don’t have a grasp as to what he is thinking at this point. He could be very much wanting another ring … or … he could be wanting to go out on top, which means: he’s done! Who knows for sure. Do I want him back? 100% yes. I’d also like to see Frank Clark come back, especially if we can get the 2022 version of him. Michael david Smith of Pro Football Talk has an article called: “Chris Jones: This is the most unselfish group I’ve been part of, starting with Frank Clark” in which he quotes Chris Jones as saying:
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“This is probably the most unselfish group [DL] that I’ve been a part of. Starting with Frank Clark: Frank Clark, number three all-time in sacks in the playoffs. His whole goal for me last week was like ‘we need to get you a sack’ and it wasn’t the fact that I was caring about a sack, it was the fact that he wanted me to have a sack so you guys can stop talking about it.”
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Yes, if Veach can work a deal to get Frank Clark back under a re-worked contract for one more year, I’d be in favor.
Derrick Nnadi & Brandon Williams – DT Derrick Nnadi is likely done in K.C.. He hasn’t shown a progression and that’s why I’m not in favor of his return. DT Brandon Williams is a 10 year vet who may also want to be going out on top. I think the Chiefs let him, knowing they can pick up another IDL in the future… one who also wants to win a ring before hanging it up. That seems to be a pattern with Veach, e.g., Terrell Suggs, Mike Pennel, Jarran Reed, and Melvin Ingram. However, only B. Williams, C. Dunlap and Terrell Suggs a have done so.
Mecole Hardman – Hardman is between a rock and a hard place (no pun intended). He should hang out for another season and take what ever K.C. offers with the chance that he plays in 2023 for a much bigger payday and an even make a much stronger comeback season in 2024… where ever that may be.
Ronald Jones II – Ronald Jones wanted out of K.C. earlier in the season. As a SB 57 champion, and a 25 year old RB, he should be able to get another gig elsewhere.
Tershawn Wharton – Tershawn Wharton should be welcomed back with open arms. Any time a UDFA does what he’s done, and been able to accomplish what he’s been able to accomplish, he deserves another shot… and K.C. should be the benefactors.
Jerick McKinnon – I’ve been saying for months now, I hope K.C. will re-sign RB Jerick McKinnon to a longer term deal. At least two years.
Nick Allegretti – Nick Allegretti is an excellent choice to bring back for the IOL. However, he can likely get much more elsewhere, which is what I think he does now.
Justin Watson – WR Justin Watson made the right choice in signing with the Chiefs last offseason. I hope he does that again, but his 15 receptions in 17 games for 315 yards should only get him nearly the same amount: $2M. Same goes for Khalen Saunders. Where Nnadi made zero progress, Saunders did make progress and noticeably so: 48 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. By far his best season.
Deon Bush – Deon Bush won’t likely be with the team next year. Only if Steve Spagnuolo wants him back for some reason.
Micheal Burton – Andy Reid is one the NFL Head Coaches who still likes to keep a Fullback on his roster so Micheal Burton will continue to have a role in the offense. Burton had a total of 7 rushes & catches for 18 yards over the past two seasons. If Veach and Reid are looking to save a cool million, they could go on without him.
Darius Harris – LB Darius Harris is still a useful player and knows Spags scheme, so hopefully they bring him back.
Tommy Townsend – Tommy Townsend got flack this year for being a bad holder for PK Harrison Butker. However, Townsend made the Pro Bowl as a Punter and it’s been reported that he may end up re-setting the maximum for a Punter’s salary.
Jody Fortson – Jody Fortson should be part of Andy Reid’s future plans to keep the Tight End’s active and simultaneously keep more blockers on the field for Isiah Pacheco, Pop, as he is known to his teammates.
Chad Henne & Shane Buechele – Chad Henne has stated he’s retiring and Shane Buechele should be the man they’ve been grooming for the backup role to Mr. Wonderful: Patrick Mahomes.
Prince Tega-Wanogho – Prince Tega-Wanogho rounds out this list and they should show him they want him back by upping his salary slightly. The 6-foot-5, 308 pounder has been in the league three years now with a total of 64 snaps, 58 this season. He came in the league with Philadelphia and was a 6th round pick out of Auburn. He is deserving of a shot, and I don;t know where or when that will come, but he’s got the talent, we just don’t know where he fits… yet.
In Summation
Lyle Graversen makes a good point about the Chiefs not having to re-sign anyone. Graversen also said: “Winning the offseason is just something we make up so we have something to talk about in the offseason.” Remember, Veach has options, options to sign who he chooses. Like most people… he likes options. Choices… lots and lots of choices. However, it does not need to come at the beginning of Free Agency. He can bide his time and sign anyone he wants. “Here ye, here ye… who wants to win a ring?!”
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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