The Kansas City Chiefs cost-cutting moves could extend to defensive end Mike DeVito. A report from NFL.com states that the Chiefs could ask DeVito, who is scheduled to count more than $5 million against the cap next season, to take a pay cut to stay in Kansas City.
The versatile veteran defensive end/tackle, who tore his Achilles during a Week 1 matchup against the Titans, will likely be asked to take a pay cut in order to remain on the roster, according to multiple league sources familiar with the situation.
DeVito, 30, is scheduled to make $4 million in 2015. But after several inquiries from other clubs at the combine, he might feel like he could get the same on the open market.
This defensive line analysis piece recently posted by KC_Guy had the decision likely coming down to DeVito or Vance Walker. DeVito is scheduled to count $5.4 million against the cap next season. Releasing him would create about $4 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap. Walker is cheaper but did not play as much as we thought last season.
The other thing in play here is Jaye Howard. After DeVito went down last season, Jaye Howard emerged as a regular on the defensive line. The Chiefs also paid Allen Bailey with a multi-year extension. Do they want to continue with Howard's development or bring DeVito back?
The football part of this is important too. DeVito, who is recovering well in his injury, is a solid run-stopper and the Chiefs had trouble stopping the run last year. If you need the reasoning behind wanting to keep him, that's it.
With Bailey and Howard developing at defensive end, I'm leaning towards the Chiefs releasing DeVito to create more cap space. With players like Justin Houston and Rodney Hudson needing new contracts, as well as the uncertain future of Dwayne Bowe and Tamba Hali, the Chiefs need as much cap space as they can reasonably create. DeVito, at this point, looks more like a luxury than a necessity.