The Chiefs have several pressing issues on their docket on the defensive side of the ball, with Eric Berry, Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Sean Smith, and Jaye Howard among the defenders facing free agency. However, Kansas City is also exploring the possibility of locking up one of their top contributors whose contract doesn’t expire until 2017.
According to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star, the Chiefs have spoken to Dontari Poe‘s agent, Jimmy Sexton, about a long-term deal that would keep the standout nose tackle in K.C. for the next several years.
“We’ve talked, we’ve talked more than once,” GM John Dorsey said. “I have great affection for Dontari Poe. I think he represents everything we want to do, culturally. I think he’s a good football player. We will continue this process. Right now, I’m concentrating on other things. But eventually, we’ll get to that.”
Here’s more from around the NFL’s West divisions:
- The Raiders are expected to be one of the league’s most active teams in free agency, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). That’s no real surprise, since Oakland is one of two clubs in the NFL with more than $70MM in projected cap room. Cole reports that the Raiders have “made it clear to everyone that they’re not going to let money get in the way of getting the players that they want.”
- Cornerbacks and offensive linemen figure to be atop the Raiders‘ shopping list, according to Cole, who adds that Chargers safety Eric Weddle will be a target for Oakland as well.
- Armed with all that cap space, the Raiders will prioritize getting a new deal done with offensive tackle Donald Penn, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds (via Twitter) that Penn “has a strong market,” and his stock will only improve if the Bills use their franchise tag on Cordy Glenn within the next 24 hours.
- With the free agent period fast approaching, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link) expects the 49ers to target mostly offense in March, before shifting to focus on defensive players in the draft.