This is more of an after-the-season type of post but I've been thinking about it this week (as I try to avoid thinking about the Broncos or Raiders representing the AFC West in the playoffs):
Which Kansas City Chiefs players just played their last game in Arrowhead Stadium as a Chief?
There's a normal rate of roster turnover every year which means a number of players likely won't be back next season. I've taken a look at the roster and grouped the possibilities into three categories: Possible retirement; Last year of the contract and; Surprise cuts.
Possible retirement category: Casey Wiegmann (38), Thomas Jones (33), Kelly Gregg (35), Anthony Becht (34)
I would guess Wiegmann retires after this season. That's the vibe we got when he signed his deal with the Chiefs before the season and at his age I think that's the most likely result right now. (Note: It's funny I write "at his age" as if 38 is really old, which it is in the NFL but not the real world.) Jones may very well follow him to retirement but we did hear him recently open the possibility of playing again so he's up in the air. Jones could also fit in the "Last year of his deal" category. Gregg signed a one-year deal prior to the season and he's 35 years old which, again, is very old for the NFL. And Becht was considering a career in the media before the Chiefs picked him up this year so that might be the route he goes.
Last year of his deal category: Dwayne Bowe, Brandon Carr, Wallace Gilberry, Le'Ron McClain
Bowe's rookie contract is expiring after this season and we don't know what will happen. A long-term contract or the franchise tag could be in order if the Chiefs decide to keep him. Carr is another long-term contract candidate but we haven't heard any rumblings of a deal getting done. Hopefully it does at some point. Gilberry signed a one-year deal prior to the season and we didn't see the production (or playing time) out of him this year which makes you wonder where he stands moving forward. And McClain is finishing up the one-year deal he signed earlier this year.
Surprise cuts category: ???
I'm not really sure who to put here yet but every season there are surprise cuts when free agency hits. I wouldn't be surprised to see some this year. The draft could affect what happens so the Chiefs probably don't even know who these surprise cuts will be.