Chiefs Sign Bowe, Colquitt then Franchise Tag Albert

John Dorsey was busy Monday, signing wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and punter Dustin Colquitt to long-term deals and placing the franchise tag on left tackle Branden Albert.

November 12, 2012; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Bowe (82) runs the ball after a catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 16-13, in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Bowe is reported to have signed a five-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Details of his contract have yet to be reported. (UPDATE: 810 WHB is reporting the contract is five-years, $50 million with $24 guaranteed.) Bowe was the Chiefs franchise player in 2012 and was on his way to being franchised again if Scott Pioli had remained as the Chiefs general manager. The change in the front office, hire of Andy Reid, and trade for Alex Smith is said to have help convince Bowe to remain with Kansas City. Between Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace, and Wes Welker, Bowe is the only one to receive a contract with his current team today.

The Chiefs didn’t stop with Bowe, signing Colquitt to a five-year, $18.75 million deal with $8.9 million guaranteed. The deal makes Colquitt the highest paid punter in the NFL. Colquitt is coming off his first Pro Bowl season and is regarded as one of the best punters in the league.

Dorsey and Reid released a statement on Colquitt:

November 12, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) punts the ball to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

“We are excited that we were able to come to a long-term agreement with Dustin and keep him in Kansas City,” Dorsey said. “Dustin is an elite punter in this league, he’s done a great job for this franchise the past eight seasons, and we are looking forward to working with him.

“John and I knew right away that we’d like to keep Dustin in a Chiefs uniform. He’s worked hard at his craft and has become one of the best punters in the NFL,” Reid said. “He’s got a strong leg and the ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. We are happy we were able to come to an agreement.”

Albert was selected as the Chiefs franchise player, a designation that will pay him around $10 million (UPDATE: The Kansas City Star reports the number at $8.83 million) if he chooses to sign it. Albert missed time last season with a back injury but is said to have cleared all of his medical tests and should be good to go for next season.

October 14, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Daniel Te

The moves likely mean Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson days as Chiefs are likely over. This comes as no surprise as the Chiefs will need to the cap room to absorb the new deals and still have room to add draft picks and any free agent signings. It is unclear what direction the Chiefs will go to replace them on the roster.

With the tagging of Albert, what the Chiefs decide to do with the number one overall pick just got more complicated. It was assumed the Chiefs would select OT Luke Joeckel with the top pick but this is now in doubt. Some are pointing to John Dorsey’s comments that he will always take the best available player no matter what, which means Joeckel would still be in player. Other thinks the pick will be traded.

A more interesting point of view comes from Gil Brandt who believes the Chiefs could take Dee Milliner, a cornerback from Alabama. Milliner would become the first CB ever selected with the top overall pick. Given the Chiefs need for a second cornerback opposite of Branden Flowers, Milliner would make a lot of sense.