By Jordan Long
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off of an AFC Championship appearance where they lost to the New England Patriots, 37-31 in overtime. They are looking for ways to improve the team. Kansas City may move on from linebackers Dee Ford and Justin Houston. They are listening to offers for both of them.
The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Ford. This will pay him around $15.433 million this season. Ford is one of their top blitzing linebackers. Quarterbacks need to know where he is lined up at all times. Ford uses his speed to run around the offensive linemen and take down the quarterback for sacks. If he isn’t able to, he effects the play. Quarterbacks throw the football sooner then they want when Ford comes after them. That could be interceptions for the Kansas City defense. Ford has totaled 30.5 sacks in his 5 years in the NFL.
Kansas City is crazy to try to deal him. He is one of the leaders on defense. Letting him go means Kansas City might not be able to blitz the quarterback as often which could equal less turnovers. This might allow opposing quarterbacks more time in the pocket to find an open receiver for large chunks of yards.
If Kansas City can’t make an agreement with another team over Ford, they will retain him. It is possible they can work with him to keep him in Kansas City for years to come. He will be a force on this team to help this franchise win a Super Bowl.
Houston on the other hand, is likely going to be cut or traded. He fits in any defensive system. Houston uses his speed to put pressure on the quarterbacks, ending in sacks. In his 8 years in the NFL, he has a total of 78.5 sacks.
Houston’s problem is injuries. He has not played 16 games in the NFL since the 2014 season. Last year he missed 4 games due to a hamstring injury but was still productive with 9 sacks.
The difficulty with trading Houston is his contract. He is due to make $21.1 million this season and $19 million next year, a lot to take on for a team. If Kansas City can’t find a trade partner, they will cut him. This will save the Chiefs $14 million in cap space this season.
Kansas City is looking to save money for free agents. They know they have a championship team even if they deal Houston and Ford. Kansas City will do what is best for their team to make it a Super Bowl winner.
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