Free agency will start in a little less than a week, and the Kansas City Chiefs are making their final moves to free up money so they are ready for the offseason. In the NFL, free agency is not always about adding superstars as much as it is about finding value from solid contributors.
The Chiefs will be tight on cap space this offseason, but they can save some money if they can find role players who can provide consistent contributions on the cheap. Let's take a look at some guys who may be looking for smaller deals but could provide value exceeding their contract value.
QB Nick Mullens
Projected Contract: 2 years, $5 million
Max offer: 1 year, $4.5 million
The Chiefs clearly have the best quarterback in the NFL, but the team will always need a backup option. Last season, the Chiefs signed Carson Wentz to a contract just north of three million dollars, but he will be hitting free agency, and the Chiefs will need to add a quarterback. Andy Reid will likely want an experienced quarterback to help in the film room and to play in case of an injury.
Mullens is a journeyman who has spent time playing for San Francisco, Cleveland, and Minnesota. Mullens signed as a UDFA with the 49ers and wound up starting 8 games after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an injury. He also started 10 games in 2020 and has played sparingly ever since. Mullens has a poor TD/INT ratio, which is concerning, but he has a solid arm and is an experienced player who would be an excellent option as a backup in Kansas City.
RB Jeremy McNichols
Projected Contract: 1 year, $2 million
Max offer: 1 year, $3.5 million
Jeremy McNichols is a journeyman running back who has played for seven different teams since being a fifth-round pick for the Buccaneers in 2017. McNichols has had stints in San Francisco, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and most notably, Tennessee and Washington. Coming out of Boise State, McNichols was known as an athletic pass blocker who only allowed one sack over 237 pass blocking snaps and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine.
McNichols was the first 2017 draft pick cut after declining a practice squad offer from the Buccaneers and signed with the 49ers immediately. He bounced around some and came onto the scene in Tennessee, backing up Derek Henry and rotating in on passing downs. If the Chiefs signed McNichols, he would play a role similar to what Jerrick McKinnon and Samaje Perine played in Kansas City over the last few seasons. He should be looking for a cheaper short-term deal and would be a great addition for the Chiefs going into 2025.