ESPN points out the offseason move the Kansas City Chiefs should prioritize
The Kansas City Chiefs have a few important pieces of business to address this offseason. Extending offensive lineman Orlando Brown, improving the pass rush, and re-signing Tyrann Mathieu are all at the top of the list. ESPN's Bill Barnwell thinks bringing Mathieu back should be a move that Kansas City prioritizes. From ESPN: While general […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a few important pieces of business to address this offseason.
Extending offensive lineman Orlando Brown, improving the pass rush, and re-signing Tyrann Mathieu are all at the top of the list.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell thinks bringing Mathieu back should be a move that Kansas City prioritizes.
While general manager Brett Veach has generally preferred to buy low on cornerbacks, the stalwart of the Kansas City secondary over the past three years has been Mathieu, whose three-year, $42 million deal is about to expire. The safety turns 30 in May and had knee issues early in his career, but he has been healthy for the vast majority of his time in Kansas City, missing just one game (and that to COVID-19) over three seasons. He has been an inspirational leader and a playmaker in a secondary that is otherwise one of the league's youngest units.
l agree with Barnwell that bringing Mathieu back is something that needs to happen this offseason in Kansas City.
But is it the move that should be prioritized?
Well, I think context matters. For starters, Orlando Brown is going to be back with the Chiefs in 2022. There's nearly a 0 percent chance that he isn't wearing a Kansas City uniform next season. The worst-case scenario there is that KC uses the franchise tag on Brown (and even if they do, it will likely be to buy some time to work on an extension).
As for the pass rush, that's an obvious area of need that's absolutely going to be addressed through the draft or free agency (probably a combination of both).
But when it comes to Mathieu, the plan isn't as clear. On paper, releasing Mathieu makes some sense. The Chiefs could probably find similar production for much cheaper.
However, what Mathieu brings to Kansas City can't be quantified. He's the emotional leader of the defense. The intangibles he brings can't be replaced through free agency or the draft.
That's why this is a move that needs to be prioritized. If Mathieu isn't back in Kansas City in 2022, the defense will suffer. And that's the last thing the Chiefs need as they work to return to the Super Bowl next season.
Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
