Kansas City Chiefs: Franchise Tag Options Loom Large

Creating Cap Space

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Regardless of what option the Kansas City Chiefs decide to pursue, John Dorsey will have to create some more cap space. As I mentioned before, the Chiefs only have about $4.6 million projected in available space. That’s not enough to get a deal done for either Eric Berry or Dontari Poe, and nowhere near close for the Franchise Tags.

So how can the team create more cap space?

The first name on the list is quarterback Nick Foles. Set to make over $10 million in 2017 if he’s on the team, there is just no way the Chiefs can do that. There is no backup quarterback out there worth that kind of money. Cutting or trading Foles would open up the full $10 million.

Up next is the contract of Jamaal Charles. The star running back has dealt with numerous injuries in recent years, and the team just can’t afford to give him $7 million in 2017. There has been a lot of talk about this, with many believing he should be cut and re-signed to a cheap one-year deal. I disagree. I see a two year extension that could open up roughly $4 million this year as the best option.

Related Story: Kansas City Chiefs Should Do Right By Jamaal Charles

Finally, there are the restructuring options of Alex Smith and Justin Houston. Both players should be open to the idea as it gives them more cash in hand up front. The problem with this is that it just shifts the financial burden down the road. These should be the last resort options, but they are on the table and could open up anywhere between $5 million and $15 million in cap space.

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Ultimately, I think that only one of Eric Berry or Dontari Poe will be on the roster in 2017. For my money, that player will be Berry. He has shown his worth to the organization, and it is immeasurable. Poe, on the other hand, appears to be on a downward slide after his back issues. Either way, the Chiefs need to try and stay away from the Franchise Tag at all costs.