Three-time All-Pro makes a ton of sense for Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have done a good job over remaking their roster for the 2022 season, but there's one player out there who could help make it even better. And that's former first-round pick, three-time first-team All-Pro, and four-time Pro Bowler Ndamukong Suh. Even with the drafting of George Karlaftis in the first round […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have done a good job over remaking their roster for the 2022 season, but there's one player out there who could help make it even better.
And that's former first-round pick, three-time first-team All-Pro, and four-time Pro Bowler Ndamukong Suh.
Even with the drafting of George Karlaftis in the first round and even with Pro Bowl pass rusher Chris Jones on the roster, the Chiefs still have questions on the defensive line.
In fact, outside of Jones, there isn't much production, these days. And beyond the starters, it begins to get really questionable.
Derrick Nnadi has shown promise, but he's more a run-stuffer at this point in his career. And while Suh isn't the pass rusher he once was, he still has some juice left, evidenced by his combined 12.0 sacks and 32 quarterback hits over the last two seasons.
The Chiefs' primary DL backups -and even one of the starting interior positions- could use a veteran hand like Suh that can also still produce. Suh was a key factor in the Bucs' dominating run defense over the last few years and he was an excellent complimentary piece to Vita Vea.
Suh would command double-teams from time-to-time, which would help isolate Jones, Frank Clark, Karlaftis, and others in pass-rushing situations and he'd help beef up the Chiefs run defense, which was not good in 2021.
And, of course, he'd provide excellent depth in case something where to happen to one of the other defensive linemen.
The biggest obstacles, here, would be Suh's price tag and whether or not he wants to play in 2022 or retire. Both factored into the Buccaneers' decision to go a different way this offseason. However, Suh won't be insanely expensive (he cost $9 million before incentives in 2021) and the Chiefs are a contender, which always helps a team's case when it's trying to attract a productive veteran.
The Chiefs are also in great shape, cap-wise, so the possibility is definitely plausible.
If KC can make a solid pitch and if Suh's passion for playing football is still intact, then there's little reason in avoiding this move.
Featured image via Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
