NFL/Chiefs Headliners

Laddie Morse

Wow, three weeks ago today, Free Agency began. In three weeks from tomorrow, the NFL Draft will commence and everyone in K.C. is wondering what General Manager Brett Veach will do before then. First… someone thinks he needs a raise.

At the NFL Owners meetings last week, the issue of a new contract for commissioner Roger Goodell came up. Goodell took over as Commissioner in 2006 and his most recent contract was a 5-year deal in 2017 worth as much as $200 million dollars (must be his overall net worth). His current deal goes through the 2024 season, and he’s expected to get a three-year extension, but the number of years on his extension has not yet been determined. Sportingnews.com has this to say about Goodell’s salary:

.

“Goodell’s yearly salary, reported a decade ago, sat at $4 million per season in 2012, but he reportedly makes a lot more than that today.The New York Times reported that Goodell banked nearly $128 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 league years, with $63.9 million each year. That figure comes from heavy, business-related incentives baked into Goodell’s contract. With the NFL negotiating an 11-year, $110 billion rights deal in 2021, Goodell is going to get another hefty bump in pay the next go ’round.”

.

Sporting News goes on to say:

.

“Celebrity Net Worth lists Roger Goodell’s total worth at $200 million, a gaudy number, but unsurprising considering his hefty pay year over year.”

.

It’s clear to me that the NFL has become a big (huge) dollar industry. Andy financial help they can give to the player union or ex-players would be a positive step in the right direction.

.

Denver Broncos – the Broncos have made the biggest move of all the AFC West teams by bringing in Sean Payton to be their head coach. The question is… will his presence make a big enough difference to catch and pass the Chiefs? The simple answer to that is, no. The Denver Post said recently:

.

“Seven straight seasons without a playoff appearance? Six straight losing seasons? A dismal 5-12 record in 2022 made bleaker by the fact that it came immediately after inking a seven-year, $245 million deal with Wilson?”

.

The Denver Post also quoted Sean Payton as saying:

.

“I’m not too familiar with how it was in the last few years, but it’s kind of one of those where you really knock the rearview mirror off the automobile. We’re just looking forward.”

.

Los Angeles Chargers – as you may already know, the Chiefs signed ex-Charger Drue Tranquill and some chargers were not too happy about it. Tranquill should help to revolutionize the Chiefs LB position so he has been an excellent find for Veach. Not to worry (if you’re a Chargers fan) as they signed LB Eric Kendricks who spent the past 8 seasons witht he Vikings. The Chargers have had a quiet offseason. This from their Transactions wire over the past three months:

.

• Re-signed TE Donald Parham.

• Announced S Nasir Adderley will retire. Re-signed DE Morgan Fox.

• Re-signed RT Trey Pipkins to a three-year contract.

• Promoted DL David Moa and RB Larry Roundtree to the active roster from the practice squad.

• Designated LT Rashawn Slater to return from injured reserve.

• Promoted RB Larry Roundtree and DT David Moa from the practice squad to the active roster.

•Michael Jacquet and Mark Webb, TE Hunter Kampmeyer, DEs Carlo Kemp and Ty Shelby, DT David Moss, OT Austen Pleasants and RB Larry Roundtree to reserve/futures contracts.

• Signed G Zack Bailey, WRs Keelan Doss and John Hightower.

.

Las Vegas Raiders – the Raiders got rid of QB Derek Carr and brought in Jimmy Garappolo. A year ago they didn’t exercise their 5th year option on RB Josh Jacobs so now they’re stuck paying him $10,091,000  for one year. This offseason hasn’t gone well for the raiders and here’s what the raidersbeat.com had to say in an article called: “Raiders Have “Downgraded in Every Way” in the Offseason quoting NFL Insider Mike Sando:

.

“This is a team that had Derek Carr and Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper. Jon Gruden came in and wanted his guys. Josh McDaniels came in and wants his guys. Maybe they should have a coach who can work with the guys they’ve got. Now, Darren Waller is gone, too. The Raiders viewed Waller’s trade to the Giants for a third-round pick as a deal that cleared salary for newly signed receiver Jakobi Meyers. Meyers played under McDaniels in New England. So did Garappolo. So did another newly added receiver in Phillip Dorsett. They want familiarity, but they have downgraded in every way….”

.

Chiefs Kingdom is wanting GM Brett Veach to make a move. Now. The problem with that kind of thinking is… Veach and his staff are busy making the moves that need to be made, whether or not that means prepping for the Draft, or re-evaluating their own big board. SI.com recently posted a piece by Mark Van Sickle called: “Why KC’s GM Has Earned Faith Amidst Uncertainty” in which he says:

.

“… the Chiefs can continue to get better, mixing young talent with veteran leaders along the line. Plus, there’s a good chance All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones will be getting an extension with the team in the near future. That’s a move that everyone can get behind, as Jones has been one of the best interior pass-rushers in the league over the course of his career.”

.

Van Sickle goes on:

.

“It feels like the Chiefs will make an addition to the receiver room with a veteran either via free agency or trade. Another fan-favorite, tight end Jody Fortson, is coming back after being tendered.”

.

Veach didn’t sign some of the most important Chiefs players until June or July rolled around in 2022 so, let’s be patient.

.

Travis Kelce has announced that he will be helping to host a concert at the Draft his year.

.

.

The closer the draft gets, the clearer the picture becomes of who the Chiefs will be selecting with their first pick, at #31. Or maybe that should read… the muddier the picture becomes…. In any event, we know more about these possible prospects than ever before. ArrowheadPride has a piece called: “Chiefs take an EDGE in Todd McShay’s new ESPN mock draft” in which they offer several charts and a draft pick… all of which is helpful.

.

.

Edge, OL and WR… I’d be shocked if one of those positions were not selected with the Chiefs first pick.

.

.

This chart was truncated so not all of the choices are present. Here’s who Todd McShay picked for the Chiefs this time around:

.

“31. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE, Kansas State – Anudike-Uzomah is a speed rusher who can beat double-teams and pursues the QB with relentless effort. He tallied 19.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss since becoming a starter with the Wildcats in 2021. The Chiefs were second in sacks last season with 55, but much of their production came either from the blitz or Chris Jones on the interior. Adding Anudike-Uzomah to an edge-rush group that already includes George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu should create a little more balance. As an aside, I bet the Chiefs take a look at their wide receiver board when they’re on the clock, too. Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt could be a fun deep-threat addition to this offense.”

.

What do you think?

.

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

.