Per Verderame: Veach would prefer to keep Chris Jones

[RunKC]

Interesting article here. Not a huge fan of Verderame but he was at the Super Bowl and he does go to the combine. I think he gets some tips, albeit from Terez (who is a nice guy).

Here is the most interesting part of the article. 2021 and 2022 would be extremely difficult to manage.

What the Chiefs can do with their money

Looking at Kansas City’s cap situation, it can release wide receiver Sammy Watkins and linebacker Damien Wilson, clearing out $18.5 million in space. Combined with rollover money and already existing room, that’s enough cash for Veach to tag Jones, re-sign a few other pending free agents and extend Patrick Mahomes.

Speaking of Mahomes, the 24-year-old quarterback is likely to soon be the highest-paid player in the league. This is another important factor to consider.

Let’s play GM for a moment and do the following to the Chiefs’ roster:

•Cut Sammy Watkins
•Cut Damien Wilson
•Cut Cam Erving

Extend Patrick Mahomes on a five-year, $200 million deal
Use franchise tag on Chris Jones
Allow $10 million for free agents and draft picks
Keep $2 million in emergency space
Using the Jared Goff and Carson Wentz extension structures as a template, Mahomes’ cap hit would approximately be $11 million this season. Factor in Jones’ tag and the $12 million outlined above, and Kansas City is laying out $35 million.

The Chiefs could do it. But while it’s palatable for 2020, what about 2021 and beyond?

If Kansas City gave Mahomes the aforementioned extension, his cap number would be enormous in 2021, potentially the full $40 million figure. If the Chiefs also signed Jones to Clark’s exact deal, the cap number would be $22.7 million in 2021.

If we account for a slight rise in the NFL salary cap both this year and next, it’ll be around $210 million. Under these parameters, Kansas City would be looking at the following cap hits in 2021:

Patrick Mahomes ($40M)
Frank Clark ($24.2M)
Chris Jones ($22.7)
Tyrann Mathieu ($19.7M)
Tyreek Hill ($15.7M)
In total, the top five players on the Chiefs would be earning $122.3 million, or 58 percent of the salary cap.

Going into this offseason with a projected $200 million salary cap, only one team is currently allocating more than 50 percent to their top five players: the Los Angeles Rams at 54 percent.

Kansas City can always create cap space with extensions and releases, but tying up such a large chunk of money in five players is dangerous. The Chiefs would be largely unable to sign any other meaningful free agents for a few years — including their own — while being completely reliant on the draft to restock departing talent.

In his three years at the helm, Veach has proven to believe in acquiring top-shelf talent and filling in around them with low-cost, high-upside veteran deals (see: Damien Williams, Stefen Wisniewski, Mike Pennel) and rookie deals.

Jones certainly fits Veach’s profile. The question is if he fits into Kansas City’s payroll.

https://fansided.com/2020/02/10/chri...mpression=true

[philfree]

If not for Jones there's as real good chance we're sitting here licking our wounds instead of nursing our celebratory hangovers. Those batted passes were huge. The pressure he brings is huge. His personality is infectious to the team. I hate to see that player go so hopefully Veach can get creative.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Can’t afford him.

It looks like he will be making about the same as Fisher and is a better player.

Beefing up the Oline, and Secondary would be my top priority this offseason.

[RunKC]

Rankin started 5 games at LG and only gave up 1 sack and 6 pressures in that time. I think we’ve got our answer there for the next 2 years. Only problem is recovery.

He’ll be at 8 months post op when camp starts. Knowing Andy’s risk averse philosophy with injuries, I think he’ll keep him out 6 games with the PUP designation.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

I’ve seen June 1 cuts mentioned in a lot of posts but important to remember that those can’t be done this season, not until a new CBA is agreed to.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

That won’t happen. It’s too obvious, players union will lose their shit

No they wouldn’t at all. Mahomes taking less money affects about 5-7 guys. The elite QBs. The rest of the players - the ones who make up the union - would love it. Because the precedent of taking less so the team can stay together means more nickel corners and right guards and WILL backers getting more $.

[wachashi]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

His cap hit is $14 million if traded. There will be teams that need a WR and can afford that.

I don't know man. $14 million + whatever trade compensation for Sammy seems steep when every team in the league knows he's probably getting cut. I think the Chiefs will have to convince teams that Sammy's about to get restructured otherwise they'll just wait until he's cut to sign him.

[Jerok]

It's so difficult if we don't trade Chris Jones - he would bring another 1st round pick, and probably a 2nd or 3rd as well.

But he's just so damn good when he's not injuring himself playing basketball in the locker room.

1st + 2nd + 20 mil cap savings
vs
Chris Jones

Can't wait to see what happens

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by philfree

If not for Jones there's as real good chance we're sitting here licking our wounds instead of nursing our celebratory hangovers. Those batted passes were huge. The pressure he brings is huge. His personality is infectious to the team. I hate to see that player go so hopefully Veach can get creative.

Totally agree but have to remember too that these last 4 years of CJ has been at about $1M per year. Insane value.

Once it gets up to $18-21M per season, the value totally changes. He’s only earning his keep if he’s healthy and maintaining his level of play.

Either situation can be a win, Chiefs just need to know his worth and have some luck in terms of health.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by philfree

If not for Jones there's as real good chance we're sitting here licking our wounds instead of nursing our celebratory hangovers. Those batted passes were huge. The pressure he brings is huge. His personality is infectious to the team. I hate to see that player go so hopefully Veach can get creative.

The real superbowl MVP

[Walt White]

If we can keep him and do some cap magic to keep the team very strong this year, I think that is worth it. If he is too costly to keep in the future, can't we just trade him? Assuming he is still elite at his position, I'm sure a team would want him.

But if he is going to cost us too much depth in the short term, I think I would rather just cash in now with a trade. So it completely depends on the circumstance.

Gut feeling, I think we at least keep him one more year to see what happens. Hopefully we can still create enough room to add to the roster and not jeopardize our future flexibility.

[kcclone]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

or the new CBA has some kind of exception for QB's?

This seems like it would make sense. Why do you want to penalize good QB's?

As we've seen with Rogers and Wilson, if you pay your start QB, you're forced to surround them with a crappy OL and offensive weapons.

To me its in the NFL's best financial interest to not penalize the star QB's.

[comochiefsfan]

Here’s the thing with Mahomes, and correct me if i’m wrong.

Wouldn’t he stand to make A LOT more money over the long run if he takes a team friendly deal in order to keep winning championships?

If he becomes just another highly paid QB on a decent team, sure he’ll get endorsement opportunities like Rodgers. But no one is gonna shell out ridiculous money to get a guy like that to pitch their product.

However, if he is always in the Super Bowl and is the face of the NFL for years to come, he’s gonna have the marketing opportunities POURING in consistently.

Not to mention post career endorsements, speaking engagements, whatever he wants to do.

I’m sure it’s flawed thinking but it seems like just making sure his team is a winner is worth WAY more in the long term than just taking a few million more on his contract every season.

[comochiefsfan]

Originally Posted by DRM08

There have been a bunch of people on TV saying he should give a discount if he wants to keep winning. Where he would potentially get some backlash is from the players union, agents, etc. Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson will be pretty mad if Mahomes does that, lol

Who gives a **** what Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson want?

If they want the mega contract then they need to play better. Not worry about Mahomes.

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by comochiefsfan

Here’s the thing with Mahomes, and correct me if i’m wrong.

Wouldn’t he stand to make A LOT more money over the long run if he takes a team friendly deal in order to keep winning championships?

If he becomes just another highly paid QB on a decent team, sure he’ll get endorsement opportunities like Rodgers. But no one is gonna shell out ridiculous money to get a guy like that to pitch their product.

However, if he is always in the Super Bowl and is the face of the NFL for years to come, he’s gonna have the marketing opportunities POURING in consistently.

Not to mention post career endorsements, speaking engagements, whatever he wants to do.

I’m sure it’s flawed thinking but it seems like just making sure his team is a winner is worth WAY more in the long term than just taking a few million more on his contract every season.

It sounds good in theory, but look at 2018. They had Mahomes on a super cheap salary and gave him one of the worst defenses in NFL history.

[duncan_idaho]

Cutting Watkins and LDT and Colquitt retiring or taking a pay cut seems like the best way to make things work in 2020 and keep both Mahomes and Jones on their new deals.

Just have to keep the head above the salary cap water until the new CBA is known and we know what the situation is with the QB and overall increase.

I’ve seen some speculation it might balloon by $20+ million in year 1 under the new CBA.

Drafting well is going to be critica going forward regardless.