KC Chiefs: Looking at potential contract for Bashaud Breeland

What would it cost to bring in Bashaud Breeland at this point? How could a contract work for both Breeland and the KC Chiefs?

One of the biggest surprises of the offseason, perhaps even more so than Sammy Watkins being retained, is that Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland is still without a new contract for the upcoming season. With each passing day, teams turn more of their focus toward the draft as the big money players come off the board.

The Chiefs have an interest in short-term deals, even one-year contracts, as we’ve seen in plentiful quantities the past few seasons. Short-term deals keep the team from being tied into players potentially on the decline and with the star quarterback, you don’t need to overpay in either years or dollars for anyone.

Breeland came close to getting the financial security any and all players seek when they enter the league. He had originally agreed to a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on a three-year, $30 million dollar contract before the agreement was voided due to a foot injury.

That led to the bizarre scene at Chiefs training camp of him wandering around St. Joseph for a few days before eventually agreeing to a deal with the Green Bay Packers. The circle would be complete with Breeland playing last season for the Kansas City Chiefs.

What could a contract look like that works for both the Chiefs, who are tight up against the salary cap and Breeland, looking for a payday and financial security?

Three-year deal, $30 million in salary, $19 million guaranteed

• $9 million signing bonus.
• Salary payout:
• 2020- $2 million- guaranteed at signing
• 2021- $8 million- guaranteed at signing
• 2022- $20 million

Why this deal might work for Breeland: The corner, after spending the last three seasons with three different teams trying to get back the value he lost two offseasons ago, is able to find a level of financial security, including getting $11 million in the first year of the deal.

If the Chiefs did move on, at age 30, Breeland would still be young enough to get a good contract in a year the salary cap could increase. In reality, he gets a two-year, $19 million guaranteed contract with an option to a third year, very similar to the structure and setup of Sammy Watkins.

Why this deal might work for the Chiefs: The Chiefs, even if they don’t bring back Chris Jones, are solid at every position group basically on the roster except for corner. Doing this changes that equation, giving you two starters in Breeland and Charvarius Ward with Rashad Fenton and Antonio Hamilton on the roster.

Instead of being forced to draft a corner late in the draft, the Chiefs can go into the draft without major holes on a roster that just won a Super Bowl.

Also, the Kansas City Chiefs are able to draft a position of luxury (running back) or simply best player available (maybe a wide receiver or even a tight end). The team can really begin the process of building strong depth on rookie contracts, which is the next step needed to ensure the run isn’t a flash in the pan, but rater the starting point to something truly great.