Tamba Hali's contract with the Kansas City Chiefs is reportedly set to void on March 4, which would make him a free agent. Chiefs GM John Dorsey is reportedly trying to change that and retain Tamba, according to a report from CBS Sports writer / Royals hater Jason La Canfora.
Chiefs continue to push to retain Tamba Hali, one of their priorities. Sides will talk again later this week. Vet pass rushers in big demand
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 29, 2016
Tamba told Terez Paylor after the season that he wanted to come back if he was healthy but I wasn't really sure how the Chiefs felt. This is once again an interesting decision because the Chiefs are two years removed from spending a first round pick on pass rusher Dee Ford. While the Chiefs did work Ford in more this year, the pass rush mainly comprised of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali when both were healthy. As the season went on and those two suffered injuries we saw Ford play more and more.
I'm kind of torn on what to do here. Based on how the Chiefs pass rush wore down last year, I can see how you could justify bringing Tamba back along with Ford and Houston. Also consider that Tamba and Houston had offseason surgeries. Depth is needed.
That said, when is Ford going to be a full time player? Is he ever? This will be year three for him and if Tamba comes back they will presumably split duties. Maybe it's time we give up on Ford as the heir to Tamba's throne and accept that he's a part time player.
The other part of this is the money. Veteran pass rushers are paid well so it's not like the Chiefs can pay Tamba peanuts. He has legitimate value still. If they can work out the money, it would probably be beneficial to give Ford a larger role while preserving Tamba so he is impactful through December and January as the snaps pile up.
Tamba is like Derrick Johnson in that I can't imagine him playing in another uniform. Tamba lining up as a Cowboy or a Patriot? Weird. Even if Tamba doesn't have all of his physical skills anymore, there are also intangibles to consider.