Chiefs: T’was the Fortnight Before the Underwear Olympics

David Bell

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I thought about making the title, “T’Was the Night Before Christmas–er, the Scouting Combine” … but it seemed superfluous. You get the sentiment though. The Parade was Wednesday and Grand Avenue in Kansas City could be characterized as being a flow of rubicund images flowing to Central Station. I think the last train I took from Joplin to KC was 1956 with my grandmother Calvert… the trip was because I was infatuated with trains. When my father was driving around K.C., if there was a train, he would stop the vehicle and give me time to ingest the Locomotives passing by. I have told the story before. Dad would go to a Lumberyard in the Kaw River bottoms. The Railroad yard was at the end of the lumberyard dock. One night, an engineer pulled the train up to the end of the dock and invited me for a ride. I was all of 4 or 5 years old. He let me blow the train whistle.

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Yesterday Began the Off-Season Work

Led by GM Brett Veach

Brett Veach followed Andy Reid to Kansas City from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. It was mentioned by a follower of ArrowheadOne that he should now be “Executive of the Year.” I agree.

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It is an all-encompassing effort — from Brett Veach, Andy Reid and the coaching staff, the front office staff, the financial experts, the training staff, coaches and scouts. The first thing I did was a far-to-early mock draft yesterday. The Chiefs have eleven draft picks. Playing GM, I made two trades to move up and select players I decided to draft, trading away 3 picks to do it. It was satisfying to set a tone and end up with eight solid draft picks. But it is far too soon to even worry about it. I will be following the usual sites and analysts all spring long to get to the Draft in April.

What fascinating moves will Brett Veach engineer in 2023? The Chiefs have a ton of work on their plate — an augur will be necessary to even be able to ascertain what the off-season will entail — Brett Veach once again is at the cusp of a truly daunting task that awaits us as the Chiefs work through to a successful off-season, including which players will be retained, extended, traded and/or acquired in the process. The team cannot remain static. Change is immutable.

What I Would Like to See Happen

Monies are going to be a problem. The Chiefs have $14M in funds available from what I understand, but here is what Overthecap.com has for the 2023 monies:

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To get where he needs to go, Brett Veach and the Chiefs will have to decide on what needs to happen to be able to retain Cornerstone/foundation players and make decisions accordingly. Which means that my wants won’t happen. For example, retaining both Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap. Recall the presser where Dunlap said the Chief’s gave him the best chance to earn a Super Bowl Ring. Carlos? Mission accomplished. Make a second ring with KC your next goal please.

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Frank Clark Factor – Frank loves the Chiefs and HC Andy Reid

 

If I had a thought, Clark will again do a team-friendly Deal. Like Dunlap, he is a valuable asset for young players and proved it week after week, staying after practice to work with Rookie Edge Player, George Karlaftis. His mentoring began in training camp (Chiefs camp photo below). 

 

 

Pete Schrager interviewed Clark after the win vs. Philly: 

 

 

Other Factors

•      Patrick Mahomes Contract can be “adjusted” to get more Cap Funds
•      Some players will not be tendered – that is going to hurt.   Will the Chiefs make another block-buster trade to get where they need to go? For example: DT Chris Jones.
•     Will Frank Clark again take a team-friendly cut?
•     Will Carlos Dunlap return on a team-friend contract? This is a player I like that could help the young guys along with Frank Clar. That is a valued asset.
•      What About WR Mecole Hardman? 
• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire appears to have been superseded by Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco. Can Brett Veach engineer a trade? I could see Clyde Return, but he should not be the feature back.  
• WR JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to return as a Chief. I would like to see that happen. What will the cost be?
• OT Andrew Wylie is going to want to be paid – it’s his time. He is 29 years old. I think Wylie departs in Free-Agency.
• OT Orlando Brown, Jr. Will return but it will be complex money problem. At worst, he is tagged again which will likely be a $20M salary. 

 

Foundation/Cornerstone Chiefs Who Will Return (and some solid depth players)

• LOG – Joe Thuney – I think Joe will work a deal to reduce Cap Hit.
• LOT – Orlando Brown, Jr. – Likely to go through contract gyrations and get tagged again. 
• C  – Creed Humphrey – Successor to the other “Kelce”.
• ROG – Trey Smith – The Guy that I dearly love – a true Thumper at OG.
• WR – Marquez Valdez-Scantling – 2 more valuable years under contract.
• TE – Travis Kelce – Forever a Chief Extraordinaire!
• S – Justin Reid – Fulfilled the need and provided solid leadership. 
• LB – Willie Gay – handles the edge and PD for the LB crew. 
• LB – Nick Bolton – Leads the hit parade!
• LB – Darius Harris – The more we saw, the more I like him as a depth LB. 
• S Deon Bush – solid depth (Is Thornhill Gone?).

My Question Mark Players

• S – Juan Thornhill? (Juan departs in free agency is my thought).
• OT – Lucas Niang? (Counting Wylie as a free agent Casualty, Will Niang live up to “my” Hype?
• OT – Andrew Wylie? Will his Salary demands be more than the Chiefs will tender? (I think he departs in Free Agency). 
• Frank Clark or Carlos Dunlap? (Would like to retain both for another year – train the next drafted edge player.

 

2nd Year Players – Foundation Players in the Making? 

The Rookies who contributed heavily to the Chiefs youth-movement are crucially important. The 2022 Draft class was truly indicative of an exemplary draft class. 10 players figured as active roster players. Nine of the ten played a role in the Super Bowl Win with only S Nazeeh Johnson missing from those who dressed out.

I really have grown to be a fan of George Karlaftis. His interview about the Super Bowl, here:

 

 

Ditto Trent McDuffie – He was one of the 18 players on Veach’s list for the first round. The evaluation by Veach and Staff was he had the 3rd best coverage rating among CBs. He proved to be a great draft pick. 

 

Christian Petersen Photo Credit

 

• • CB – Trent McDuffie
  • Edge – George Karlaftis (They just don’t see you coming, George!)
  • RB – Isiah Pacheco (Mr. Burst of pure energy!)
  • WR – Skyy Moore
  • S – Bryan Cook (Cook was on my to-draft list — he will be the reason that S Juan Thornhill departs, if it happens)
  • CB – Joshua Williams
  • CB – Jaylen Watson (Also on my to draft list)
  • LB – Leo Chenal (Tackle with Violence Baby!)
  • OL – Darian Kinnard 
  • S – Nazeeh Johnson?

 

I cannot see a reason not to trust these 10 players being major components of the upcoming Chiefs Roster. I am anxious to see the 2023 additions!

 

2023 Important Off-season Dates

The Draft is to be held in Kansas City

February 21 – March 7 – Teams can use the Franchise or Transition Tags

February 25 – The HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana

February 28-March 6th – Scouting Combine

March 7 – End of the Tag Window

March 7 – Typical start date for College Pro Days

March 13 – March 15 – The Laughable “legal tampering” period. It’s 3 days before the Official League year begins.

March 15 – NFL League Year Begins at 4PM Eastern

March 26 – March 29 -The Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

April 3 – Teams with New Head Coaches can begin spring workouts

April 17 – Teams with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programs.

April 19 – Teams can bring draft prospects into their facility. The last day to do so at any location is April 27.

April 27 – April 29 – The 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Missouri.

May 1 – The deadline for teams to exercise their Fifth-Year Options on their 2020 first-round selections.

May 5 – May 8 or May 12 – May 15 – Teams can hold their rookie mini-camps on either of these two time periods, the two weekends following the draft.

May 22 – May 24 – The NFL’s Spring League Meeting

 

Big Question: Will Brett Veach, Andy Reid and Co., be able to match the success of the 2021 and 2022 drafts? 

 

I want see Carlos Dunlap return with the passion that he brought to the Front Four. Do It Again Carlos!

 

 

There is more to come with off-season articles. It will be quality time to follow our Kansas City Chiefs! I am anxious for the Chiefs to get started. I am trying to be patient. It’s a tough job down here on the Coastal Bend of Texas.

 

David Bell — ArrowheadOne