6 minor roster moves Kansas City Chiefs could make in coming days ahead of free agency
The Kansas City Chiefs are just days away from the onset of free agency, and they've got a whole lot of work to get done. Fans are fixated on the trade talks surrounding franchise-tagged CB L'Jarius Sneed and the contract extension talks for DT Chris Jones, which are the major points of emphasis for the club right […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are just days away from the onset of free agency, and they've got a whole lot of work to get done.
Fans are fixated on the trade talks surrounding franchise-tagged CB L'Jarius Sneed and the contract extension talks for DT Chris Jones, which are the major points of emphasis for the club right now. While those have the attention of fans, there are other minor moves the Chiefs must complete ahead of the new league year on Wednesday, March 13.
Those moves involve Restricted Free Agents and Exclusive Rights Free Agents, all of whom will become Unrestricted Free Agents if they do not receive a qualifying offer from Kansas City before free agency begins.
Chiefs can tender an offer to RFA TE Jody Fortson
If you're unfamiliar with Restricted Free Agents (RFAs), they are players with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. These players are allowed to negotiate with other teams even if they’re offered an RFA contract tender. Other teams can sign the RFA to an offer sheet, but the Chiefs would then have the right to match the offer. If KC decides against matching the offer, depending on the tender type, they can receive draft compensation for the player.
Fortson was placed on injured reserve in mid-August after suffering a shoulder injury, which he had surgery on. The timing of the injury caused him to miss the entire 2023 NFL season while on injured reserve. Sometimes in the case of injured players, the Chiefs avoid contract tenders and stick to re-signing players. An original round tender would pay Fortson $2.9 million in 2024. I imagine there is still mutual interest in bringing Fortson back, but perhaps at a lesser amount than the tender would require.
Five Chiefs ERFAs should also see qualifying offers
If you're unfamiliar with Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs), they are free agents who have yet to accrue three seasons in the NFL. The Chiefs will hold exclusive negotiating rights with their ERFAs ahead of free agency. ERFAs can only reach unrestricted free agency if the team does not extend a qualifying offer.
Right now, Kansas City has five players who are ERFAs for 2024, and they all should be back with the team. Those players include CB Nazeeh Johnson, LB Jack Cochrane, EDGE Malik Herring, LB Cole Christiansen, and OL Mike Caliendo. Those players with at least two accrued seasons will receive a $985K minimum salary. Herring and Cochrane each played over 100 defensive snaps for the team last season.
Johnson, of course, is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the indoor practice facility at training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. He could be a big part of plans in Kansas City for the future should they trade CB L'Jarius Sneed in the coming days.
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides the latest update on contract talks with DT Chris Jones
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid remains optimistic that a deal will get done with DT Chris Jones.
