KC Chiefs: Future of Tanoh Kpassagnon could be tied to Chris Jones
By John McCarty
Versatile lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon provided solid depth in 2019. Does his future with the KC Chiefs hinge on the outcome of the Chris Jones contract situation?
As everything rages on with Chris Jones and his pending contract status, let’s take a look at Tanoh Kpassagnon – a defensive lineman that is under contract for next season and his future with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Coming off his best season of his three year career, Kpassagnon was finally asked to do what he had done in college at Villanova: Attack up the field from the interior. In turn, after starting eight games, he turned in four sacks, 29 tackles and forced a fumble. The Chiefs are certainly hoping for more of the same in 2020 from the young and big defensive lineman.
His future past this season, however, could very well depend on the outcome of the contract negotiation between the Chiefs organization and Chris Jones. If Jones returns long-term, is there a spot long-term for Kpassagnon?
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Kpassagnon’s ability to move around the line – at left defensive end – inside at tackle in passing situations and the fact he’s on a rookie contract, make him extremely valuable to a team with a tight salary cap situation for the next couple seasons.
If Chris Jones does not return to the Chiefs next season and beyond, the Chiefs could very well look to the third year lineman as someone that could provide interior pass rush and depth along the outside, just as Jones had done, though obviously not as well. He would also come at a fraction of the cost, which seems worth noting.
In the event that Jones does return, especially long-term, it’s hard to imagine there is much of a long-term future for the Villanova product. Andy Reid has a history of drafting defensive linemen, and in the next two years, the Chiefs will still have fellow rookie contract linemen in Breeland Speaks, Derrick Nnadi and Khalen Saunders along with the massive contract defensive end Frank Clark.
The health and ability in the return of Breeland Speaks could also impact the long-term future of Kpassagnon. If Speaks is unable to prove himself remotely capable to be a contributor on defense, he may be shipped out.
A lot can happen and a great many futures will be impacted by the decisions the KC Chiefs make in the coming months. Could the future of Tanoh Kpassagnon be affected by the Chris Jones decision? Most definitely.