Kansas City Chiefs Rumors: Chris Jones running out of leverage
Chris Jones is running out of leverage with the Kansas City Chiefs. The star defensive end has already accrued a whopping $1.8 million in fines for missing out on mandatory team activities like training camp and preseason games. While that's an expensive holdout, it's affordable for a player like Jones, who is expected to make over $20 million this season.
The question remains though -- does Jones want to lose actual game checks. Those come at a steeper price tag, and limits the amount of money he would receive in his current deal, or any contract extension.
Article 20 of the CBA gives Kansas City a loophole to essentially save money on Jones's deal should he not report five days before the final preseason game. That date has passed, of course, but on Tuesday Brett Veach can place Jones on the reserve/did not report list, which gives the Chiefs an opportunity to use a roster exemption and withold game checks, should they choose. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has more details:
"So here's how it works: At the cutdown, which is 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, the Chiefs will move Jones—if he hasn't reported—to the reserve/did not report list. If he shows up, say, a week later, then Kansas City would likely apply for a two-game roster exemption during which the Chiefs can carry Jones without using a roster spot. And under this rule, if Jones doesn't report by Tuesday, the Chiefs can choose not to pay Jones while using that exemption on him (once he's activated, obviously, they will have to pay him)," Breer wrote.
That puts Jones between a rock and a hard place as he and his agent play hardball with one of the best front offices in football.
Kansas City Chiefs rumors: Ihmir Smith-Marsette traded to Panthers
Despite an impressive preseason highlight reel, the Chiefs had no room on the roster for Ihmir Smith-Marsette. As Kansas City tries to decrease its roster to 53 players, wide receiver is a position of depth. Smith-Marsette, as talented as he is, would've been an odd man out.
So, the Chiefs flipped the talented wideout to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a seventh-round pick swap. That may not sound like much -- and it isn't -- but receiving any draft capital for a player they would have otherwise let go for free is a win for Brett Veach and Co.
As for Carolina, Smith-Marsette fits in nicely with rookie QB Bryce Young, and a wide receiver room which is otherwise struggling with short-term injuries. The team's official website explained the urgency:
"In 16 career games with the Vikings and Bears, he has six catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns (21.8 per reception). The Panthers have some short-term injury issues at receiver (with DJ Chark Jr., Terrace Marshall Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr. missing the preseason finale) and were looking for some help in the return game as well."
This trade likely opens up even more playing time for the likes of Justyn Ross and Rashee Rice on the Chiefs young receiving corps.
Kansas City Chiefs Rumors: A Clyde Edwards-Helaire trade destination
With Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon expected to take most of the carries in Kansas City this season, former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be the odd man out. The LSU product performed well early in his career, but has had health problems that kept him off the field. Pacheco, meanwhile, has thrived in the starting role, and would like to keep it that way.
McKinnon offers Patrick Mahomes an elite receiving weapon out of the backfield, something that CEH lacks. However, he's talented enough and still in his prime, so Edwards-Helaire could be dealt for a late-round draft pick if Brett Veach desires. One team which lacks much backfield depth is the Minnesota Vikings, which Bleacher Report suggested should trade for CEH.
"Edwards-Helaire has a first-round draft pedigree and can do some damage as a receiver out of the backfield. The Chiefs had him playing multiple receiver positions the week of practice leading up to the Super Bowl before he was a healthy scratch.
The Vikings are one of the few teams who could still add a back to their offense. With Dalvin Cook gone, they'll be relying on Alexander Mattison to shoulder most of the workload. But there's room for someone like CEH to work as a third-down back," Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine noted.
Whether it be Minnesota or another RB-needy team, Edwards-Helaire could be dealt as soon as Tuesday if the price is right.
