Kansas City Chiefs Veterans Who Have Been Put on Notice This Offseason

Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey had a busy offseason after acquiring some free agents as well as taking a couple of players in the draft who could quickly become impact players for the team.

But with every key addition, it sends a message to current players at certain positions, letting them know that their job could be in jeopardy if they don't improve.

With the 2015 53-man roster currently being figured out, general managers still think ahead. With several Chiefs players set to be free agents in 2016, Dorsey has prepared for some possible scenarios, as you'll notice with a couple of players in this slideshow.

In this slideshow, we go over five players who have been put on notice this offseason and what their futures could look like.

T Eric Fisher

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

There were no key additions made at left tackle this offseason, so the position still belongs to Fisher. However, it is no secret that improvements must be made at left tackle, and Fisher knows it more than anyone.

In each of Fisher’s two seasons in the NFL, he has allowed seven sacks. He surrendered seven sacks as a rookie while playing at right tackle and gave up seven more after shifting to the left side in 2014.

Though the 2013 NFL draft was limited on talent, being taken in the first round still comes with expectations and Fisher has far from lived up to them.

For the first time in his career, Fisher will enter a season playing the same position as he did the year before.

If Fisher has a repeat performance in 2015, the franchise may seek a new left tackle the following offseason.

G/T Jeff Allen

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Jeff Allen is highly praised for being able to play multiple spots on the offensive line. However, after an injury forced him to miss the entire 2014 season, the former second-round pick finds himself competing for a spot going into the final year of his contract.

At guard, the Chiefs used sixth-round rookie Zach Fulton in 2014 and added Paul Fanaika, who has a chance at starting this year. Where Allen is in the mix is unknown.

Allen’s best chance at starting would be at right tackle, a wide-open position also being vied for by Donald Stephenson.

If Allen is unable to earn a starting role and is barely used on offense this season, don’t expect the Chiefs to retain him after the year is over.

T Donald Stephenson

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

Like Allen, Stephenson enters the final year of his contract and must fight for a starting spot.

After multiple injuries, Kansas City’s offensive line took a blow when Stephenson received a four-game suspension for PED violation.

When Stephenson returned, he was not used until Week 8 and saw just 31 snaps in eight games.

With the right tackle position up for grabs, one of three things will happen to Stephenson. Either he wins the spot and succeeds, wins the spot and struggles or remains as a backup. If he does either of the second or third, his time in Kansas City will come to a close.

C Eric Kush

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Yet another offensive lineman in Eric Kush is placed on this list, but Kush’s 2015 role became obvious when the Chiefs drafted a versatile offensive lineman in Mitch Morse from Missouri.

Excluding a Week 17 start in 2013, where Andy Reid rested all 22 starters since the team would end up with a No. 5 seed in the playoffs regardless of a win or loss, Kush has only one offensive snap in his entire career.

Including his first start, Kush has 73 total snaps, all of which came during his rookie year.

Depending on OTAs, training camp and the preseason, Kush may get the nod over Morse at center in Week 1. But early into the season, Morse will probably solidify his spot as the team is hopeful that he is the long-term solution at center due to Rodney Hudson’s departure.

CB Sean Smith

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Outside of the offensive line, there are very few players who should feel concerned about their current status. Sean Smith might play his last season with the Chiefs.

Kansas City took one of the most talented corners in the draft in Marcus Peters, adding to a talented group of corners with an underrated Smith and Phillip Gaines, who had a solid rookie season.

The Chiefs have to be ready for a possible suspension for Smith after being arrested and charged for a DUI last year.

Smith also has just one year left on his contract. Considering the fact the Chiefs drafted Gaines last year in the third round, Peters in the first round two weeks ago and Steven Nelson in the third round of this year’s draft as well, you have to wonder whether the Chiefs see Smith as part of their future.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus

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