Players come. Players go. I never could foresee the day when Jamaal Charles would not be wearing a Kansas City Chiefs jersey. However, the business of the National Football league — and life for all that matters — dictates that every player, coach, owner, and even the commissioner will expire and change. It just seems like yesterday when Priest Holmes was crossing the goal line turned sideways with his arms outstretched every time he scored. There was a time when he was untradeable — untouchable — for other teams who might have been interested… which would have been every team in the league.
Now, the Chiefs also have some players who are untouchables and John Dorsey wouldn’t think of trading them. With the Seattle Seahawks placing CB Richard Sherman on the trading block, it makes one ponder: could the Chiefs trade away any of their own star players? You would think that if another team came calling with the right amount of trade bait in hand, that almost any player on the Chiefs roster would be up for grabs. Most player likely fall into that category. However, there are some player who you would call, “The Untouchables”… and those players include:
UNTOUCHABLE NUMBER ONE: Eric Berry
Eric Berry just signed a contract to write home about. Actually, his parent knew all about it, as did the whole nation, within minutes of his signing… because of a little thing like Twitter. Berry is untouchable because he’s probably the best Safety in the league right now. At least he’s paid like it and that makes him more untradeable than anything. However, even if he was not paid like the best Safety in the league, his leadership in the locker room makes him indispensable. If a team wants to design a blueprint for a Safety with an ideal on-field presence, it would be Eric Berry. In past years he’s been criticised for his coverage ability but even if he is a detriment at moments, he makes up for it in a thousand other ways, tangible and intangible.
UNTOUCHABLE NUMBER TWO: Justin Houston
No one knows if Justin Houston will return to his dominating self of yesteryear. That is precisely the reason the Chiefs would not allow him to be traded. Not for the time being anyway. With Houston being owed a lion’s share of his contract this season, he’s also not going anywhere for that reason as well. From Overthecap.com,
“Justin Houston signed a six-year, $101 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on July 15, 2015. Houston received $32.5 million in full guarantees including a $20.5 million signing bonus, his entire 2015 base salary and $11 million of his 2016 salary. On the third day of the 2016 League Year, the balance of his 2016 salary will become fully guaranteed as will $6.75 million of his 2017 salary. On the third day of the 2017 League Year, an additional $9.5 million of his 2017 salary becomes fully guaranteed. The total guaranteed compensation is $52.5 million. Houston restructured his contract in 2016 by converting $7.5M of base salary into a signing bonus. The move created an additional $6 million of 2016 cap space for the Chiefs.”
UNTOUCHABLE NUMBER THREE: Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce has become the best tight end in the NFL… when Rob Gronkowski isn’t on the field. On the other hand… if Kelce had Tom Brady throwing him the ball, he might be the best. In any event, Kelce’s value to the Kansas City Chiefs offense is indispensable. Kelce is heading into the sweet spot of his career and should have the best year of his young career and partly because of the additional use of Tyreek Hill in the offense as Hill should help open up more space for Travis inside the defense.
UNTOUCHABLE NUMBER FOUR: Alex Smith
I know a lot of fans may be groaning right now. However, the fact is that Clark Hunt, John Dorsey, and Andy Reid have all gone out of their way — seemingly — to emphasize that “Alex Smith is their quarterback” moving forward. So, you have to take them at their word… for now. Does that mean they won’t goosestep off in rhythm and draft a QB in the 1st round? Not at all. It just means they love him and are committed to him for the foreseeable future (this year and next most likely).
A Future UNTOUCHABLE: Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill may be an indispensable piece of the team one day but not yet. He’s actually still “untouchable” for some teams to consider. This is probably why De’Anthony Thomas is still on the roster. If Hill has even one more “personal” issue then the Chiefs will go shopping for another speedster to replace DAT… and they’ll need DAT around in the meantime.
A Future UNTOUCHABLE: Marcus Peters
Marcus Peter has become a mainstay in the Chiefs defensive backfield and is probably the player closest to becoming an UNTOUCHABLE for the Chiefs. They say every player has a price… but playing without their star CB doesn’t seem likely… unless they have a plan to replace him.
Who do you think belongs on the Chiefs UNTOUCHABLE list? Did I miss someone?