KC Chiefs: Salary cap crunch could lead to tough decisions this offseason

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 17: Martinas Rankin (74) of the Kansas City Chiefs and Stefen Wisniewski (61) of the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to take the field before the first quarter against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, October 17, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Damien Williams (26) (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What are some players that could find themselves elsewhere next season via contract termination, being released by the Chiefs this offseason?

SAMMY WATKINS: Mentioned previously, Sammy Watkins should be released by the Chiefs after the season. He will clear $14 million with his departure and leave $7 million in dead money against the 2020 salary cap. He will not be back.
DAMIEN WILLIAMS: His tenure of the frontline running back for the Chiefs didn’t last long. In 2020, his cap hit is set to be $2.833 million for 2020, but his release leaves only $533 thousand in dead money, clearing $2.3 million in cap space. While it’s not as significant as Watkins, it’s hard to imagine Williams being back next season.
AUSTIN REITER: The third string center last year behind Mitch Morse and Jordan Devey, the Chiefs failure of effort to fortify this position has led, in a small way, to the issues with this offense. Reiter is not starting caliber player for a team expecting playoffs and more. His release clears $2.425 million in cap space leaving behind $333 thousand in dead money.
DANIEL SORENSEN: This is the first defensive player on the list. The veteran safety has never been good enough to be a true starter on defense but has a knack for making a big play, Sorensen potentially losses his spot due to younger and cheaper depth. Set for a cap hit in 2020 for a number of $4.75, his release clears $3.75 million in free space for the 2020 cap.

What players are set to wave bon voyage to the Chiefs this offseason as their contracts expire and are set to be free agents?

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