Tip of the Cap: Value Defines the Chiefs Historic Offense

Tip of the Cap: Value Defines

the Chiefs Historic Offense

by Ransom Hawthorne

The Kansas City Chiefs WR, Tyreek Hill, describes the level of talent, on the offense, as “stupid” (in a good way). Due to the NFL salary cap, an offense, with this much talent, has probably never been assembled before. At the very least, not in a long, long time. How have the Chiefs pulled off this insane level of talent, within the constraints of the salary cap, despite $18M in dead money this year? They’ve done it with smart extensions, criminally underpaid rookies, and an opportunistic approach to free agency. When you compare the Chiefs offensive pieces, to their league counterparts, it’s easy to see the value.

Smart Extensions: Travis Kelce is the 2^nd highest paid TE, in the NFL, making $9.3m a year. Jordan Reid is right behind him, in cap hit, just $18.4K cheaper. Kelce has produced 229 yds, and 2 TDs, to Reed’s 1 TD and 168 yds. The Chiefs are getting 36% more production, for the same price.

On OL, bargains abound. Erving’s extension made him the 15^th highest paid LG, while Fisher and LDT are both 11^th highest paid, at their positions. Thankfully, so far, I’ve proved wrong about Erving. He’s been a quality LG and even made some highlight plays. He’s not the only reason, but he’s a big part of the Chiefs improvement, in pass protection. For every OL, on the roster, except maybe Fisher, their talent is greater than their salary. Even his contract looks at least okay.

FB Anthony Sherman was brought back for $2M. That’s a hair less than Bills FB Patrick DiMarco. While fans are used to Sherman being an excellent blocker, he’s also pitched in this year with 52 yards receiving, and a TD. DiMarco only has 24 yards receiving and no TDs. FB is a nearly extinct position in the NFL, so they tend to come cheap, but yards are yards. Getting viable contributions, from a veteran, for pennies on the dollar, is one of the reason the Chiefs offense is so tough to defend. DC’s can’t sleep on anyone in this offense, not even the FB.

Criminally Underpaid Rookies: If Tyreek Hill hit the open market, today, there’s no way he’s making less than O’Dell Beckham’s $18M a year. Beckham, by the way, has 271yds receiving, and no TDs. Hill has 310 yards receiving and 3 TDs. Even comparing Hill to another great deal, DeSean Jackson, you see nearly identical stats, but Jackson makes $11.1M, a year. Hill? He’s making $646K. Aside from another young Chief, that’s the biggest steal, of a contract, in the NFL. Period.

Kareem Hunt might seem like a forgotten man, in the Chiefs high flying offense, but he still plays a vital role. His ability to grind out games, and score in the red zone, makes him a vital component of this offense. Statistically, he’s having a very similar season to Marshawn Lynch. Both have 3 TDs and around 170 yds. Difference being, Hunt is making $821K, while Lynch is making $4.5M. Cha-ching.

Mitch Morse, when healthy, is one of the best Centers, in the league. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal, making just $1.5M. His veteran presence has been a big help to Mahomes and his athleticism is still an asset, in the run game. Other top Centers are making north of $9M. The Chiefs aren’t likely to have the same talent at Center next year, at least not without paying a lot more for it.

Last, but not least, is the indomitable, the unstoppable, the incredible: Patrick Mahomes. While Mahomes’ TDs put him in a class of his own, his yardage total and yards per play compare, fairly well, to Matt Ryan (though Mahomes YPP is better). Ryan is making $30M a year. Mahomes? $4.1M. That’s a savings of $25.9M! That’s, basically, Eric Fisher and Eric Berry’s salaries COMBINED.

Opportunists In FA: The Chiefs in-house bargains have allowed them to spend some serious cash, and take some shots in free agency. Mitchell Schwartz was one of those guys. At just the 9^th highest paid RT, in the league, Schwartz solidified a perennial problem spot, on the OL. I would argue he’s, at least, the 4^th best RT, in the NFL. At the time, the Chiefs paid top dollar, but that gamble turned into a huge bargain, as OL depth, league wide, has become scarce and costly. At $6.6M, Schwartz is making $2-3M less than comparable players. What’s more, he’s locked up through 2020, so the contract is only going to look better.

Sammy Watkins has been called a variety of things. A bust, a health risk, and most lately — by Chiefs fans — too expensive. Brett Veach saw past all of that and elected to pay the man a massive deal. Now I would never argue that Watkins’ contract was a steal. Thus far, stat wise, he’s pretty similar to TY Hilton, who’s making $13M a year ($3M less than Watkins). That said, Watkins’ presence opens things up for Hill and Kelce. He’s also pitched in 41 yards rushing. While his production, in it’s own right, probably won’t justify his contract, this year, the impact he has, on the offense, as a whole, easily makes it worth the extra $3M. If Watkins continues to improve, as he picks up the offense, that crazy contract could actually end up looking like a bargain too.

The Kansas City offense is the perfect storm. A culmination of great drafting, free agent acquisitions, and savvy contract extensions. People keep expecting the wheels to fall off, because this level of production is so rare, but it’s happening for a reason. With all of the Chiefs talent, I don’t see a defense, outside of Jacksonville, or LA, that has a prayer of slowing them down, let alone stopping them. Enjoy this offense while it lasts, because value, this good, and talent this deep, paired with an elite QB and coach is a rare and precious thing. Can’t wait to watch more of it. Go Chiefs.

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