Quote:
Originally Posted by The Pest
I don't know if there are any FAs that I would be looking at bringing in right now anyways.
And I'm still torn on tagging Ford or trying to give him a Watkins type deal where you can get out in year 3.
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I'd pay the man, personally. And try to get him through year 3; escape in 4.
If he'd take Melvin Ingram's deal with a 10% kicker, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I don't think this is a contract year special because I've heard the guy speak enough that I think he's genuine. I think he's simply a guy who's finally healthy and who's learned a TON in his time here.
The nice thing about Ingram's deal is that the Chargers can escape after year 2 or 3 relatively easily or even let all 4 years play out and be fine. If that's the structure of Ford's deal it would protect the Chiefs in the event of a back injury. And with a $10 million signing bonus as well as a tick over $12 million in year one base/roster bonuses, he got paid $21 million in actual cash when he signed that deal - that's a hell of a boost over the $16 million or so he'd get under the tag.
He'd also get $34 million in the first 2 years which is a little under what he'd make if he played under the tag twice, but would be fully guaranteed which is a fair tradeoff (give a little back to have it guaranteed vs. trying to earn a tag the 2nd year).
And if it doesn't work out you can bail after 2020 and free up the money you'll need to get Mahomes extension worked out. If he HAS played to his contract then you at least have a trade asset if needed.
Ingrams deal would be a perfect template, IMO. Provided he decides he'd take it rather than go into the market looking for a Houston or Von Miller contract that I wouldn't be willing to give him.