Chiefs Reportedly Willing to Put Franchise Tag on Free Agent Dwayne Bowe

With a lot of talented players ready to hit the free-agent market this offseason, it looks as if the Kansas City Chiefs are set on not letting their star wide receiver Dwayne Bowe even get a taste of the open market.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are planning on using their franchise tag on Bowe—which will keep him in KC for a cool $9.5 million—if the two parties cannot make things happen on a new deal.

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The Kansas City Chiefs plan to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Dwayne Bowe if the two sides cannot reach a new deal, according to a league source.

The franchise tag number for wide receivers this year is $9.5 million.

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This would be a smart move by the Chiefs, as Bowe has definitely been an important piece to the team's offense and future success.

While one would imagine the price would be higher, the new CBA has different rules, as per the previous source:

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The franchise tag used to be based on the average of the top five salaries at that position from last season. In the new CBA, it's based on the average of the top five salaries at that position from the previous five seasons.

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This past season, he had 81 receptions for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns. While his scoring was down from the 15 TDs he recorded in 2010, Bowe is still just as important of a piece for this team going forward.

What it Means

With the Chiefs locking up Bowe either way, the free-agent market at wide receiver becomes even smaller—making the price tags on guys like the New Orleans Saints Marques Colston or the San Diego Chargers Vincent Jackson even more expensive.

Bowe would be wise to try and sign a long-term deal, just in case his numbers do continue to decline. The team would likely want to lock him up, just so that they won't have to deal with competing for his services on the free agent market in 2013.

Either way, it looks the the Chiefs will have a force once again at wide receiver in 2012, which is a good start to being the Rome Crennel era in Kansas City.

What Happens Next

From here, the Chiefs now have to figure out who will be throwing the ball to Bowe in 2012.

Will it be the already signed Matt Cassel, or will they re-sign Kyle Orton after picking him off of waivers last season?

Or perhaps, more interestingly, will they try and sign Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning—pending his potential release from the team?

According to Greg Rosenthal of NBC Sports, the Chiefs new coach said the following in regards to a possible Manning situation in Kansas City.

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With a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he’s available. I’ll leave it at that.

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If the team does get in on the Manning situation, the Chiefs could be a very interesting team heading into the 2012 NFL season.

Either way, they must figure out who will be calling the shots under center sooner than later.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase