The Kansas City Chiefs are set to begin free agency this week, and there's been significant conversation about which players the organization intends to keep.
They traded Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, franchise tagged Trey Smith, and re-signed Hollywood Brown, though questions remained about a few key guys. Nick Bolton, Justin Reid, Tershawn Wharton, and others needed new contracts, but the Chiefs seemingly just made a massive decision about the future of the defense.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kansas City has agreed to a three-year contract extension with Bolton worth $45 million with $30 million guaranteed. It's a massive development, though might seal Reid's fate as free agency is set to begin.
Chiefs Seemingly Choose Nick Bolton Over Justin Reid With New Contract Extension
It's still theoretically possible that the Chiefs re-sign Reid, yet it's highly unlikely for several reasons. Reid was one of the highest-paid players on the team and would want a similar contract. Kansas City doesn't have much money to work with if they intend to improve the offensive line, so it always felt like the front office would have to choose between Bolton and Reid.
General manager Brett Veach has famously never given a contract extension to a defensive back. He's drafted safeties in the top four rounds of the draft in consecutive years, presumably preparing for an inevitable Reid departure. The roster lacks depth at linebacker but is rich in the secondary, suggesting Veach was always planning to keep Bolton and let Reid go.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has repeatedly sung Reid's praises, highlighting his leadership.
However, the nature of the business means it's not possible to keep everyone. Unless Veach has a few tricks up his sleeve, Kansas City won't be able to keep Reid while simultaneously investing in the rest of the roster.
It's great to see Bolton back, particularly given his role as the "quarterback" of Spagnuolo's defense. Nonetheless, it appears overwhelmingly likely that Reid has played his final game in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform.