The Kansas City Chiefs made the obvious move this past week, adding wide receiver Josh Downs ahead of the trade deadline. While the move doesn't come as a surprise, it does present an interesting wrinkle when considering the future of the position.
Downs is in a contract year and scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent alongside Rashee Rice. As early as it might be to start considering the offseason, it is fair to go into the heart of the schedule with the understanding of the important path that lies ahead for each receiver.
Kansas City's decision as to which piece to re-sign is likely going to come down to performance in the remaining half of the year. It is important to note as well that Rice being re-signed is a clear risk based on the continual off-the-field trouble. For Rice to prove he is the clear choice to be kept over Downs, he not only needs to produce at a far greater clip than he has in the past couple of years but also remain healthy and quiet.
Chiefs could have a tough offseason decision to make between Josh Downs and Rashee Rice contract extensions
Thus far in the season, Rice has offered 292 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Downs has 354 receiving yards and a lone touchdown, staying healthier and having the benefit of three additional games.
No question, it will be an interesting debate to watch unfold, with the hope that Downs and Patrick Mahomes can quickly get on the same page. The best way this plays out is the receiving duo bringing the best out of each other and leaving Kansas City with an extremely difficult choice to make at the end of the season.
There is no doubt that GM Brett Veach has already started weighing whether the investment in Downs is one that is simply a rental, or a re-signing that could help push the Chiefs for years to come. Rice is a proven performer on the rare occasions he can actually stay on the field for an extended period of time.
Both Rice and Downs are valued at well under $20 million per year according to Spotrac. Even if either or both of them exceed expectations before season's end, they will not price themselves out of KC.
Add us as a preferred source on Google