3 Chiefs on Thin Ice Before Divisional Round vs. Bills

2. Willie Gay Jr. - LB

Let me be clear - Willie Gay Jr. has been excellent this year, especially filling in for Nick Bolton during his lengthy injury. However, it's hard to ignore Gay Jr.'s social media behavior this week, in which he's made it known he doesn't expect to return next year.

It was always hard to envision Gay Jr. coming back, given the plethora of players due for an extension that Brett Veach will have to manage, though it is a bit wild to see a player under contract actively announcing he knows he's not long for Kansas City.

Gay Jr.'s positive locker room presence can't be overstated as well. He's a reliable defender and, by all accounts, a beloved teammate, so any kind of distraction like this isn't ideal.

That being said, Gay Jr. is important against the Bills with their bevy of pass-catchers and dangerous weapons out of the backfield. If he's right that this is his last year with the Chiefs, he's essentially auditioning for his next contract every remaining game.

Nothing he's done on the field warrants Gay Jr. being on thin ice, but the nature of his contract situation certainly warrants it. Have a huge game against the Bills and you'll be well on your way to a nice contract, whether in Kansas City or elsewhere.