The 2020 off-season has been a busy one for the Kansas City Chiefs. With recently signing Chris Jones and Patrick Mahomes to long-term contracts, the Chiefs are securing their big names for the future. But there are other players the Chiefs would like to lock up long term as well. Below are some candidates to receive the next contract extension from the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs Contract Extension Candidates
Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce is arguably the best tight end in the NFL and will be looking to be paid as such once his contract is up in 2022. While the Chiefs got a head start by extending Mahomes with two years remaining on his contract, don’t expect the same with Kelce. Kelce will likely wait to negotiate until after pending 2021 free-agent tight ends George Kittle and Hunter Henry get new contracts and help set the tight end market.
Expect both players to make more than the $23 million guaranteed and $42 million total that tight end Austin Hooper made this off-season when he signed with the Cleveland Browns. When it’s Kelce’s turn at the table, don’t be surprised to see a contract with at least a $50 million value. He is one of Mahomes’ favorite targets and a valuable part of Kansas City’s future. Kelce just might have to wait a little bit to sign a new contract.
Eric Fisher or Mitchell Schwartz
In 2022, Mahomes will see the contracts for both of his starting offensive tackles expire. Left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz will hit the market at the same time should neither player sign a new deal prior to their current contract expiring. Fisher and Schwartz are two of the better tackles in the league. Fisher made the 2018 Pro Bowl and Schwartz reached All-Pro status in each of the past four seasons. But, more than likely, only one will receive a long-term extension from Kansas City.
Lucas Niang, the Kansas City Chiefs 2020 third-round draft pick, is set to be the replacement for whichever tackle does not re-sign with Kansas City. A former offensive tackle at TCU, Niang will sit and learn behind some of the game’s best before becoming a starter in a few years. That said, Schwartz has the early lead to get a big contract from the Chiefs because of his superior performance.
Charvarius Ward
Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward is set to become a restricted free agent in 2021. Currently, Ward is the only sure thing at a cornerback position filled with questions for the Chiefs in 2020. He only allowed a 67.3 passer rating when targeted last year, fourth-best in the NFL. Given his status as the number one cornerback and the most reliable cornerback on the team, look for Ward to receive a contract extension before he hits the open market as a free agent.
If the Kansas City Chiefs can somehow find a way to sign all of these players to extensions they will be in a great position to continue competing for and winning Super Bowls. Time will tell if they are able to make that happen.
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