By now you've read about the salary cap issues with the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys and how most of the league will receive an extra $1.6 million in cap space due to their transgressions. That's good news for the Kansas City Chiefs, who will use that space to retain LB Jovan Belcher.
Belcher, a restricted free agent, has been tendered at the second round level, according to a report from Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com. (Looks like Adam Teicher is reporting it as well.) The second round tender is set for $1.972 million.
As a restricted free agent, another team could step in and offer Belcher a contract. If the Chiefs choose not to match the contract offer, the other team gives up a second round pick for the rights to Belcher. It's unusual for a player to warrant such a steep price so early in their career so restricted free agency doesn't see a lot of action.
Belcher will see some competition at his position in 2012 with the return of LB Brandon Siler, who missed all of last season with an Achilles' injury.
This shouldn't be a surprise. The only question was at what level the Chiefs would tender Belcher. Second round sounds about right.
(H/T JComp11)