Kansas City Chiefs: Four options for Dee Ford this offseason

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Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) gets wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

In 2018, the Chiefs finally saw what they were expecting when they drafted Ford five seasons ago. Pairing him on the opposite side of Houston, the two pass-rushers combined for 22 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 41 quarterback hits.

But it took five seasons to get to this point. Of the 80 regular season games that have taken place since Ford broke into the league, Houston’s played in only 59 while Ford’s appeared in 67. And now with Sutton out and Spagnuolo in, roles will change as personnel shifts.

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In the end, the Chiefs will do one of two things, and both of them include the Franchise Tag. It’s doubtful Ford would fetch on the trade market what the vagabond Raiders nabbed when they dealt Khalil Mack to the Bears before this season began. In that deal, Jon Gruden & Co. received two first-round draft picks, one of which is this year’s 24th overall pick.

But the Chiefs should settle for no less than a first-rounder and a mid-round pick. All it takes is one team falling in love with Ford, and it helps that John Dorsey, the man who drafted him, now runs the show in Cleveland.

I’m guessing the Chiefs play it safe by tagging Ford and seeing how he does in 2019. Both the team and player benefit with this route. Veach, Reid, and Spagnuolo get to see how Ford reacts after his fateful offsides penalty and how he transitions into a new role.

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If he falters, they can let him walk in free agency, or tag him again and trade him. Both options will remain. Meanwhile, Ford makes some serious dough with a chance to hit the open market once again next season.

Kansas City’s defensive could possibly look drastically different in 2019, but one face that figures to stay the same is the one wearing No. 55.

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