5 Mistakes the Kansas City Chiefs Can't Afford to Make This Offseason
After going 9-7 and falling just short of returning to the postseason, the Kansas City Chiefs know that the 2015 offseason is a critical one in the third year with general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid. From winning 11 games and suffering a slight setback to nine wins, the Chiefs must find a way to return to being a double-digit-winning team and make postseason appearances.
Some teams make some crucial errors in the offseason, which ultimately play a hand in success during the season. For the Chiefs, given the talent they currently have and how close they are to being a top-five team, they must be active this offseason and make some moves to improve the franchise.
In this slideshow, I mention the five things the Chiefs must avoid doing, as they will hurt the team from reaching their potential.
Allowing Justin Houston to Become a Free Agent
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Chiefs fans remember when the franchise traded away Jared Allen following a league-leading 15.5 sacks despite being suspended for the first two games in 2007. Although the Chiefs received a first-round pick and two third-round draft picks and were given flexibility in the 2008 NFL draft, which helped them bring Jamaal Charles to Kansas City, the Chiefs struggled immensely in bringing down opposing quarterbacks.
In fact, the Chiefs logged just 10 sacks in 2008, the fewest in NFL history.
John Dorsey can't afford to make the same mistake Carl Peterson made. The Chiefs are not in a situation where they are desperate to add more draft picks, like they did in 2008.
After a 22-sack season, the Chiefs have to do everything it takes to keep one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL today.
Re-signing Houston, or at least giving him the franchise tag, must be the top priority for Kansas City this offseason. Especially after being one sack away from shattering Michael Strahan's record for most sacks in a single season.
Cutting Tamba Hali
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I said before that we should expect Tamba Hali to be cut from the team this offseason since he is projected to make more than $11 million for 2015, according to Spotrac. However, in an exclusive interview last week with Danny Parkins on 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City, Hali said he is willing to stay in Kansas City for less money.
If Dorsey does not retain Hali, fans have a reason to be disappointed. Yes, the Chiefs did draft Dee Ford, but is there any guarantee that Ford can play exactly like Hali in 2015?
With Kansas City's dominant defense, primarily due to a strong pass rush, Hali is an important piece to the Chiefs' success while playing on the other side of Houston in the 3-4 defense.
Keeping Hali is a necessity in order for the Chiefs to win. His attitude and drive make him the kind of player every team wants, and Dorsey must restructure his contract and keep him in Kansas City.
Keeping Dwayne Bowe
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Through three different general managers and four head coaches, saying the franchise has been patient with Dwayne Bowe is an understatement. The fact that he scored a $56 million deal from Dorsey early in his tenure as Kansas City's general manager came off as a surprise.
Year after year, Bowe's production continues to decline. With two easy opportunities to score a touchdown in the final two regular-season games, Bowe dropped one pass in the end zone and fumbled another right before going into the end zone, keeping the Chiefs at zero wide receiver touchdowns for 2014.
With some notable wide receivers available through free agency and the draft, Bowe might not be worth keeping around. In fact, the Chiefs can save a lot of money by letting him go, allowing them to spend more money this offseason.
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Have Another Quiet Year in Free Agency
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After an exciting 11-win season in 2013, the Chiefs had one of the most quiet offseasons by a playoff team. Very little improvements were made through free agency. The most notable free-agent signing was Jason Avant, who signed with the team late during the season.
This year, the Chiefs must be active in free agency. While the salary cap can force limitations, part of Dorsey's job is to work around that by restructuring contracts or cutting players.
With a need for improvement at offensive line and wide receiver, the Chiefs do have options to consider this offseason.
2015 free-agent wide receivers: Jeremy Maclin, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Randall Cobb, Torrey Smith, Reggie Wayne, Hakeen Nicks, Cecil Shorts, Eddie Royal, Michael Crabtree.
2015 free-agent offensive tackles: Bryan Bulaga, Jermey Parnell, Doug Free, Michael Roos.
2015 free-agent offensive guards: Orlando Franklin, Clint Boling, Mike Iupati.
Not all of those players will become free agents, but some will, and the Chiefs must strike to bring in at least one of those wide receivers and offensive linemen.
Missing out on Star-Studded Players Entering the Draft
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The 2014 NFL draft was filled with an all-star class of rookie wide receivers who shined throughout the season. While it was a glaring need, the Chiefs never addressed that hole through free agency or the draft.
Kelvin Benjamin, Allen Robinson, Martavis Bryant and Allen Hurns were some of the receivers the Chiefs had a shot at bringing in—but did not. The only rookie receiver the Chiefs kept in the regular season was Albert Wilson, an undrafted rookie with 16 catches for 260 yards.
The 2015 draft class is filled with plenty of good wide receivers and has the potential to follow up the 2014 class. The Chiefs have had two unimpressive drafts under Dorsey, and 2015 must change as Dorsey knows the Chiefs need a couple key pieces in order to return to the playoffs.
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