Chiefs free agency: Dexter McCluster not expected back in Kansas City

And that's all she wrote on Dexter McCluster. The KC Star's Terez Paylor reports McCluster will NOT be returning to the Kansas City Chiefs.

A league source tells me WR Dexter McCluster will not be returning to KC. He has 4-5 suitors and will likely sign Tuesday night. #Chiefs

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 10, 2014

I suspect the Chiefs had a range where they were interested in signing him but McCluster's camp may realize they can get more on the open market. Also a cautionary note that free agency doesn't actually begin until Tuesday so nothing is final until then.

I knew McCluster leaving was a very real possibility but I'm still a little surprised by it. Earlier today, I wrote that McCluster didn't seem to have a bunch of free agency rumors surrounding him, which made me wonder if that was a sign staying in Kansas City was a possibility. Apparently not.

This leaves the Chiefs with a need at slot receiver. Free agency seems like a logical place to address that, perhaps with a receiver like the Seahawks Golden Tate or Andy Reid's former receiver in Philly, Jason Avant. Or the Chiefs could look to the draft, where receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. or Marqise Lee could be available. Or maybe the Chiefs fill their receiver need with Weston Dressler, the CFL star receiver who was signed in the offseason.

McCluster was the Chiefs 2010 second round pick and made the Pro Bowl last year as a punt returner but underwhelmed on offense throughout his career. His most memorable moment came in his very first game with a 94-yard punt return touchdown against the Chargers on Monday Night Football.

Here are a few of our recent McCluster stories on whether he should or should not come back:

• Dexter McCluster's value is higher to Kansas City Chiefs than others
• The importance of keeping Dexter McCluster
• Let's talk about Dexter McCluster
• Kansas City Chiefs special teams could be seeing lots of changes in 2014

The Bucs are a rumored landing spot for McCluster, who has several suitors.

Chiefs free agency round-up:

Chiefs free agents: OT Branden Albert, G Geoff Schwartz, G Jon Asamoah, WR Dexter McCluster, WR Kyle Williams, LB Akeem Jordan, DE Tyson Jackson, S Kendrick Lewis, DB Husain Abdullah, DB Quintin Demps

Chiefs free agents re-signed: LS Thomas Gafford, LB Frank Zombo, TE Richard Gordon (RFA), G Ricky Henry (RFA)