LAS VEGAS — At some point, the Patrick Mahomes contract was going to necessitate some sacrifices, even with some creative work from the salary cap department.
We already witnessed it once with the trade of wideout Tyreek Hill in 2022. Now, a second round of attrition is fast approaching with the team facing a pair of tough free agency decisions with two key defensive players — defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed — along with a litany of smaller question marks after Super Bowl LVIII. In total, the Chiefs have 25 players eligible for some form of free agency after this season. They’re not alone when it comes to having to make some choices, either.
The San Francisco 49ers have 21 players eligible for some form of free agency, including two starting defensive linemen in defensive end Chase Young and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. And beyond that foursome, there’s always the chance that an unexpected player could flourish on the Super Bowl stage and raise their profile heading to free agency. If you’re old enough, think back to Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dexter Jackson in 2003, who spun a Super Bowl MVP performance into a big (for then) free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
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Plenty of players will have that opportunity Sunday. The group includes a significant chunk of Chiefs defensive players, putting Kansas City into a situation that mirrors a problem the Philadelphia Eagles had in last season’s Super Bowl. So many important pieces on defense, so many interested free agency suitors who will be watching them on this big stage and positioning themselves to pick off the defensive talent in March. With that in mind, here is a look at the top 10 players who either stand to pull significant contracts in March, or could at least draw some eyeballs and make themselves some additional free agency money on Sunday.
1. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
It’s not necessary to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/10-key-chiefs-and-49ers-headed-for-free-agency-opportunities-after-the-super-bowl-051334433.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-02-10 05:13:34
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