Kansas City Chiefs Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

AFC West Notes: Raiders, English, Chiefs

By Dallas Robinson | at February 9, 2014 3:52 pm

The Raiders have an impending salary cap quandary on their hands, according to Christopher Hansen of Bleacher Report. Due to language in the new collective bargaining agreement, teams must spend at least 89% of the salary cap for the 2013-2016 seasons. While the idea that the Raiders have over $60MM in cap space looks good on paper, this hides the fact that team must make up $16.4MM in spending over the next three seasons, while simultaneously meeting the 89% threshold. Compounding the problem is that the Raiders simply lack the type of quality players that the team could look to extend. This dilemma might force general manager Reggie McKenzie to eschew his policy, honed during his time with the Packers, of shunning big-name free agents.

Some other news from the AFC West:

Contrary to reports, Chargers linebacker Larry English will not become a free agent, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Team sources indicate English did not attain playing-time incentives required to allow him to void the final year of his contract. Instead, he will be paid $1.54MM. Of course, the Chargers could still release him, as he graded out poorly in Pro Football Focus’ rankings (subscription required).
The Chiefs could target receiver Jeremy Maclin, but can’t afford to get into a bidding war for him, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. Maclin played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
Teicher also thinks the Chiefs will allow offensive tackle Branden Albert to leave via free agency, due to the presence of 2013 first-round pick Eric Fisher.
Former Broncos offensive assistant Jim Bob Cooter, hired as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach, will be difficult to replace, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.

Extra Points: Carr, Smith, Iupati, Zook

By Zachary Links | at February 7, 2014 10:07 pm

One of the top quarterbacks in the 2014 draft, Derek Carr, told 95.7 The Game (audio link) that he is undecided about taking part in the Indianapolis combine. The signal caller out of Fresno State has consulted with his brother, former first overall pick David Carr, about the decision but has yet to reach a conclusion. Derek is unlikely to go first overall when the Texans pick in May, but he could be a first round pick if he impresses the right team. More from around the NFL..

Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith saw his 2014 salary of $3.45MM become guaranteed today, cap expert Joel Corry tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). With that kind of financial commitment, it’s a virtual guarantee that he’ll be back with KC in 2014.
There are several factors that could complicate a possible extension for 49ers guard Mike Iupati, explains Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Guards aren’t as valued as other positions and there could be a sizable gap that makes it unlikely that a fresh deal for Iupati will be a top priority for SF. Meanwhile, without an enticing offer, Iupati would probably be happy to hit the open market after the 2014 season.
Earlier today the Packers announced their coaching staff for the upcoming season. Four newcomers have joined the staff while five others acquired new titles. Among the newcomers: former University of Illinois and University of Florida head coach Ron Zook, who will now be pitching in on special teams.

1 comment 2014 NFL Draft Green Bay Packers Kansas City Chiefs San Francisco 49ers Derek Carr Ron Zook Sean Smith

Chiefs Release Dunta Robinson

By Luke Adams | at February 7, 2014 4:54 pm

The Chiefs announced today that they have released defensive back Dunta Robinson, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). Robinson had been on the books for a cap number of about $5.11MM, but the move will free up $3MM+, leaving $2MM in dead money on Kansas City’s cap.

Robinson, 31, signed with the Chiefs last March after being cut by the Falcons, but didn’t play well during his first, and seemingly only, season with the team. Despite starting at cornerback for the Falcons from 2010 to 2012, Robinson started just two games for Kansas City in 2013, and was torched by T.Y. Hilton for multiple long completions during the first round of the playoffs. The former 10th overall pick had been scheduled to become a free agent after the 2015 season, but he’ll instead hit the open market this offseason.

The veteran was hit with the franchise tag in 2009 by the Texans and signed to a $54MM deal with the Falcons ($22.5MM guaranteed) in 2010. Last winter, KC gave him three-year, $13.8MM deal. Today, Robinson was let go to save $3MM and change while making roster room for former CFL wide receiver Weston Dressler. It’s an unfortunate position for Robinson to be in but from the Chiefs perspective, they can replace Robinson cheaply thanks to the depth of this year’s free agent class at cornerback.

Zach Links contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

1 comment Kansas City Chiefs Transactions Dunta Robinson

Chiefs Sign Weston Dressler

By Luke Adams | at February 6, 2014 10:47 am

THURSDAY, 10:47am: Dressler’s deal with the Chiefs is for three years, at the minimum salary, tweets Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

TUESDAY, 3:29pm: The Chiefs have officially signed Dressler to a reserve/futures contract, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).

FRIDAY, 1:30pm: After winning a Grey Cup in 2013 with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, receiver Weston Dressler appears poised to sign with the Chiefs, according to Sportsnet’s Arash Madani (via Twitter). While the deal has yet to be made official, Dave Naylor of TSN Radio 1050 confirms that Dressler has reached an agreement with Kansas City.

Dressler, 28, was scheduled to become a free agent this offseason and had been exploring his NFL options. The two-time CFL All-Star has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark north of the border in each of the last four years, averaging 81 catches per season over that four-year span.

As Adam Teicher of ESPN.com notes, the addition of Dressler may not bode well for Dexter McCluster‘s future in Kansas City, since the two players fill similar roles — like McCluster, Dressler is an undersized receiver who returns kicks. Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that the signing isn’t necessarily linked to McCluster’s free agency, adding that the Chiefs would like to bring him back, though cap space may be tight.

0 comments Kansas City Chiefs Transactions Dexter McCluster Weston Dressler

Kiper On Manziel, Clowney, Watkins, Jets

By Luke Adams | at February 6, 2014 10:13 am

Draft day is still more than three months away, but with the offseason underway and the scouting combine around the corner, it’s not too early to start looking ahead. Before he revealed his newest mock (Insider link), ESPN.com draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. appeared on a teleconference today to discuss the 2014 NFL draft, and plenty of reporters passed along the highlights. Here’s a recap of several of Kiper’s notable comments (all links go to Twitter):

After talking to people around the league, Kiper believes that Johnny Manziel is the consensus top QB in the draft, at least for now. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s atop every team’s board.
Wide receivers and offensive tackles are likely to dominate the first round, according to Kiper. However, in addition to being top-heavy, the WR class is also expected to be deep, so a team like the Steelers could land a good player there later in the draft.
There should also be plenty of cornerback depth in the draft, so clubs like the Steelers and Bears can afford to wait on that position, though Chicago will likely have to address its defensive line in the early rounds, says Kiper.
Kiper believes Jadeveon Clowney will be picked either first overall by the Texans or third overall by the Jaguars, with both teams in need of a pass rusher to get after Andrew Luck twice a season.
Whichever of those clubs doesn’t take Clowney will probably draft Manziel, according to Kiper, who foresees the Texas A&M signal-caller going first or third, with Teddy Bridgewater coming off the board at No. 4, to the Browns.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is unlikely to be picked outside of the top five, in Kiper’s view.
Kiper doesn’t expect any running backs to be selected in the first round this year.
The Chiefs figure to target receivers, safeties, or defensive linemen in the first round, says Kiper.
Kiper has the Jets using the No. 18 pick on receiver Marqise Lee, and suggests the club should draft a QB in the middle rounds as an insurance policy for Geno Smith.

0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Chicago Bears Cleveland Browns Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers Jadeveon Clowney Johnny Manziel Marqise Lee Sammy Watkins Teddy Bridgewater

Chiefs Sign Thomas Gafford

By Rob DiRe | at February 6, 2014 7:53 am

THURSDAY, 7:53am: Gafford’s new one-year deal for 2014 is worth $755K, including a $730K base salary, a $10K roster bonus, and a $15K work out bonus, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). From the Chiefs’ perspective, the cap hit will be $595K.

WEDNESDAY, 6:05pm: The Chiefs have signed long snapper Thomas Gafford to an extension, according to OverTheCap.com. Gafford will be with the Chiefs in 2014 at the minimum salary benefit.

The 31-year-old from the University of Houston has played six seasons in the NFL, all with the Chiefs.

0 comments Kansas City Chiefs Thomas Gafford

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Manning, Chargers

By Zachary Links | at February 4, 2014 6:21 pm

Several of the Broncos‘ pending free agents have expressed a desire to stay put in Denver, but we learned earlier today that the club will let Eric Decker, Shaun Phillips, Mike Adams, and others test the open market. More on the Broncos and other AFC West clubs..

At a season-ending press conference on Tuesday, Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway said that the club is operating as if quarterback Peyton Manning will continue to play while preparing for the future. “Well, we’re going to keep building like Peyton’s going to be here, and when Peyton decides to hang ‘em up, we have expectations hopefully to make that transition,” Elway said, according to Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. “It’s going to be tough, but we’re going to hopefully be ready for that transition, too.”
Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com looks at the Chargers‘ running back situation heading into 2014. Of course, Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead combined to give San Diego one of the most productive running back duos in the NFL in 2013, but the rest of the depth chart could see some changes. Ronnie Brown will be an unrestricted free agent and fullback Le’Ron McClain is unlikely to return at a cap figure of $2.5MM.
Joe Fortenbaugh of National Football Post asks if Decker is really worth $10MM a year. Earlier today, our own Luke Adams looked at the free agent stock of the Broncos wide receiver.
New Chiefs receiver Weston Dressler will be missed in Canada, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Kansas City inked the Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver to a reserve-futures contract earlier today.

0 comments Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Peyton Manning

AFC Notes: Alex Smith, Broncos, Ravens, Pats

By Luke Adams | at February 4, 2014 11:23 am

Alex Smith is eligible for free agency next winter, but the Chiefs intend to keep their quarterback around longer than that. Team chairman Clark Hunt told 810 WHB in Kansas City (link via Adam Teicher of ESPN.com) that when the Chiefs traded for Smith, a long-term extension was part of their plan.

“I don’t think that thinking has changed,” Hunt said. “He came in and did a nice job. We’re glad to have him as a part of the Kansas City Chiefs and we hope it’s longer than a two-year stay.”

Here’s more from around the AFC:

A number of prospective Denver free agents, including Eric Decker, Shaun Phillips, and Mike Adams, have expressed a preference to remain with the Broncos, but it looks like the team will let its free agents hit the open market, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. At that point, the Broncos will have a better understanding of its players’ market value, though it may reduce the likelihood of bringing back certain players.
Jeff Zrebiec passes along a number of interesting Ravens-related items in his latest piece for the Baltimore Sun. In discussing the team’s draft plans. Zrebiec surmises that the Ravens will likely target either an offensive lineman or a receiving weapon with their first-round pick, though Zrebiec himself thinks it could make sense to draft a playmaking safety.
Free agent safety Antoine Bethea won’t be a “slam-dunk signing” for the Colts this winter, as Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star details.
Christopher L. Gasper of the Boston Globe believes the Patriots ought to be focusing less on shoring up the bottom third of their roster and more on acquiring impact talent.

0 comments 2014 NFL Draft Baltimore Ravens Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs New England Patriots Alex Smith (QB)

Extra Points: Kuhn, Walker, Chiefs

By Zachary Links | at January 29, 2014 9:01 pm

The agent for fullback John Kuhn is optimistic that his client will be rejoining the Packers for the 2014 season, writes Pete Dougherty of the Gannett Company. “I assume there’s interest on both sides, and (us) having him come back and hopefully they want him back,” Kevin Gold said. “It’s a good fit and he likes it (in Green Bay), he lives there. That’s definitely his priority, and I assume it’s their’s, too.” Considering Kuhn’s age and the reduced emphasis on the fullback position in the NFL, Dougherty writes that he’ll probably be in line for something between the minimum salary and the $2.35MM he made in salary and bonuses last season. More from around the NFL:

Without naming names, Titans tight end Delanie Walker said the team’s locker room chemistry was affected by several “cancers” that need to be removed from the roster. “When we started losing more games, we got to see it more and more, it was just like it was falling apart,” Walker told The Midday 180 in Nashville, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. “And the players that were the cancer were dragging other players into that box with them, and the box was getting bigger and bigger. At first, it was just a small box. The box just got bigger and bigger.“
The Chiefs signed defensive tackle Risean Broussard to a reserve/futures contract, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). Kansas City had the undrafted JUCO prospect in camp with them last year.
The Cardinals inked kicker Danny Hrapmann to a reserve/futures contract, McIntyre tweets. Arizona went with the Southern Mississippi product over YouTube sensation Havard “Kickalicious” Rugland. With Jay Feely set to hit the open market, Hrapmann is the only placekicker the Cardinals have under contract for 2014.

4 comments Arizona Cardinals Green Bay Packers Kansas City Chiefs Tennessee Titans Transactions Danny Hrapmann John Kuhn Risean Broussard

Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS

By Luke Adams | at January 21, 2014 11:45 am

If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NFL team, Pro Football Rumors has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 32 teams.

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