Tamba Hali Vents Frustrations with Chiefs on Twitter, Asks If He Is Still Needed

Kansas City Chiefs veteran pass-rusher Tamba Hali expressed frustration Saturday regarding his usage by the team last season.

In a series of tweets, Hali discussed playing only seven snaps in the team's playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and questioned if the Chiefs still need him:

Fans should know this. [I] only played seven snaps last year [in the] 2017 playoff game against the Steelers. ... I was told the reason I wasn't playing was they wanted me fresh for the playoff. ... Can someone explain to me how I played 58 snaps in the first game when we made the greatest comeback in Chiefs history? ... Watching both Steelers game from sideline and playing 15 and seven in the last game I'm still lost. Am I needed in KC anymore?

While Hali underwent a knee scope last offseason, he appeared in every game for the Chiefs in 2016.

Hali fired off several more tweets and explained that he was healthy last season and wants to be more involved in 2017:

"I was healthy last year and the year before. I had a scope not a major procedure. The result of playing for a long time. ... I haven't missed any offseason workouts in 11 years with the Chiefs. I've played in every game except four in my 11-year career with Chiefs. ... I'm a team player first. Anything for the team. Yet I'm not done knocking QB heads off but seven plays won't cut it."

The 33-year-old Hali made just two regular-season starts last year and finished with 3.5 sacks, which was the second-lowest total of his career.

He has three double-digit-sack seasons to his credit and made the Pro Bowl every season from 2011 through 2015.

While Hali is still expected to be a key part of Kansas City's pass rush in 2017 along with Justin Houston and Dee Ford, there is clear dissension in the ranks.

Hali has two years remaining on his contract, but cutting him after 2017 would result in just over $1.5 million in dead cap in comparison to nearly $9 million this year, per Spotrac.