Kansas City Chiefs have a big problem, but it's a great problem to have
The Kansas City Chiefs have a big problem as we enter the heart of the 2022 offseason. But it's a great problem to have. Two of the Chiefs' best players — offensive tackle Orlando Brown and safety Tyrann Mathieu — are set to free agents when the new league year begins in March. Not only […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a big problem as we enter the heart of the 2022 offseason.
But it's a great problem to have.
Two of the Chiefs' best players — offensive tackle Orlando Brown and safety Tyrann Mathieu — are set to free agents when the new league year begins in March.
Not only are Brown and Mathieu two of the Chiefs' best players, but they're also two of the most coveted free agents in the NFL.
On Friday, The Athletic ranked the top 150 free agents this offseason. Brown and Mathieu were both in the top 10.
The Athletic has Brown at No. 2 and Mathieu at No. 9.
The Athletic suggested that Brown could become the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, while they think Mathieu could end up with a deal worth around $16 million a year (for reference, the Seattle Seahawks' Jamal Adams was the highest-paid safety this past season, earning $17.5 million a year).
There's the big problem — the Chiefs have two impending free agents that will cost a LOT to keep.
But here's the good part of the problem: Brown and Mathieu both want to stay in Kansas City.
“I absolutely love it here in Kansas City," said Brown in December.
“The hope and the dream is to continue to be a Kansas City Chief,” added Mathieu earlier this month. “We created so much history the last couple years.”
These are two of the hottest free agents in the NFL this offseason and they both want to be Kansas City. Sure, they'll be expensive. But they'll be worth it. Kansas City would much rather be in a position where elite players want to stay in KC than in a situation where elite players can't wait to leave (like the situation in Cleveland…ouch).
The Chiefs have to find a way to keep both players. We know there's almost no way Brown won't be in Kansas City next year — whether that's via a long-term deal or the franchise tag. But we don't know for sure that the Honey Badger will be back. The Chiefs could probably find a way to replace his production via free agency or the draft. But there's no way they can replace what he brings to the team in terms of leadership, toughness, and passion.
If the Kansas City defense is going to be successful in 2022, then Mathieu has to be part of the mix.
Keeping both players won't be easy. But it's doable. And ultimately, finding a way to make it work is better than not having the option of making it work.
Featured image via Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
