When the Kansas City Chiefs signed quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a record setting mega contract extension in 2020, it was a given that they’d have to get creative with the rest of their roster as it relates to the salary cap.
With Mahomes set to make $35 million in 2022 and $46 million in 2023, the Chiefs know that their wiggle room is coming to an end soon.
They don’t have to make any drastic decisions in 2021 with the former MVP signal caller only accounting for a $7.4 million cap hit, but the front office will still likely look to trim fat where they can.
The Chiefs will have lofty goals for the foreseeable future, so they most likely won’t cut bait with someone who they think can help them get back to the Super Bowl.
However, we’ll take a closer look at 2 players who are in danger of not being on the team when Week 1 rolls around.
2. Taco Charlton
Open the vault and put it in the bag!! 💰 pic.twitter.com/CHcRggQxxX
— Taco Charlton (@TheSupremeTaco) October 23, 2020
Since the Chiefs figure to have a potent offense perennially through this decade, the main question about their viability as a Super Bowl contender will almost always revolve around their defense.
Kansas City did a nice job last year of forcing turnovers, as they corralled 16 interceptions from the opposition.
That production was good for top 5 in the league last season, and the pressure will be on once again to complement their dynamic offense.
Despite the solid performance last season, it was done in large part without the help of defensive end Taco Charlton.
A former first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, Charlton has yet to hit his stride as the pass rusher many thought he could become after his career at the University of Michigan.
After setting a career high in sacks with the Dolphins in 2019(five), Charlton only appeared in seven games with Kansas City last year.
He only posted 2 sacks, and 4 hits on the quarterback.
Charlton will need to get off to a fast start in training camp, otherwise he might be looking for a new home come the end of August.
1. Demarcus Robinson
Oh Way Way More 💥 https://t.co/r93VdEFsaH
— Demarcus Robinson (@Demarcus) April 6, 2021
With head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy calling the shots, the Chiefs are about as well oiled an offensive machine as there is in the NFL.
Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce get most of the credit, and rightfully so.
However, it doesn’t seem to matter which players on the periphery of the spotlight seem to line up next to these superstars.
Whether it’s Darrel Williams in the backfield, or Byron Pringle split out wide, each player gets a chance to leave their mark on a game.
Demarcus Robinson is another complimentary wide receiver who could start on multiple teams.
He’s coming up on the last year of his contract, and will likely not be re-signed due to the cap crunch the Chiefs will face starting next season.
Kansas City might be best served waiting for training camp in order to deal him to a team that experiences an injury in their pass catching corps.
Why the hell would the Chiefs cut two players on (cheap) one year contracts in August 2021 if the problem is the money Mahomes earns in 2022 and in the following years? Of course, Charlton may be cut (if the Chiefs sign another FA edge rusher and/or Taco is not completely healthy again) while I cannot imagine Robinson to be in any danger whatsoever. In any case these decisions have nothing to do with the Mahomes contract at all.