4 Chiefs on the Chopping Block Next After Marquez Valdes-Scantling Release
The Kansas City Chiefs created some extra cap space on Wednesday by cutting wide receiver Marques Valdes-Scantling. Although the veteran pass-catcher was praised for scoring a touchdown at Super Bowl LVIII, his release was a necessary one as it freed up approximately $12 million in cap space.
The added cap relief was much-needed for the Chiefs, who now sit around $9.6 million above the 2024 salary cap, per Spotrac. Having said that, it's still not enough space. After all, Kansas City has 19 unrestricted free agents it must address this offseason, including the likes of Chris Jones, L'Jarius Sneed, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Valdes-Scantling's release could be a sign of things to come, so let's check out four more Chiefs who could find themselves on the chopping block sooner rather than later.
1. Justin Reid, S
If the Chiefs want to free up a ton of cash, moving on from Justin Reid is one of the quickest ways to do so.
The 27-year-old safety is entering the final year of a three-year, $31.5 million contract he signed back in 2022. He's slated to carry a $14.2 million cap hit for the 2024 NFL season, however, Kansas City can save itself $10.7 million by waiving or cutting him at any point this offseason.
A former 2018 third-round pick by the Houston Texans, Reid hasn't lived up to expectations since joining the Chiefs. Playing 33 games over the last two seasons, the Prairieville, LA native has surrendered 76 receptions on 120 targets (63.3%) for 771 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Reid struggled to cover his men throughout the 2023 campaign, highlighted by a 52.8 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus — the 12th-worst grade among 94 qualified safeties. He was also the Chiefs' fifth-worst graded defender at the Super Bowl (54.2) after allowing four receptions on as many targets for 38 yards.
The ex-Stanford Cardinal does have his solid moments now and then, but it's clear that he isn't close to being worth the $14 million cap space he takes up.
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