The news on Saturday that Tamba Hali's contract with the Kansas City Chiefs had voided never did make a lot of sense to me. There was no way, I thought, the Chiefs would quietly let one of the most popular players in team history simply walk away. There had to be more to it.
As it turns out, there is more to it. The KC Star's Terez Paylor quoted Andy Reid from the 101 Awards as saying the Chiefs would "love" to have Tamba back when it's all said and done. Reid said Tamba does still want to play and that the Chiefs are "just starting the first phase of this thing".
Tamba's contract was re-worked last year to a new five-year contract in order to lower the cap hit last season. But the contract was set to void five days before March 9, the start of the new league year.
When it voided many people freaked out and thought this meant Tamba was gone. I just thought there was more to the story and it appears that there is. Tamba is currently scheduled to hit free agency on March 9 but those quotes from Reid in the KC Star suggest there's a chance he comes back.
Tamba does have something left to offer. The way to maximize him is to limit his snaps as he's worn down late in the past three seasons. If the money makes sense and they can split duties with Dee Ford, this could work out.
If he did leave ... whew, that would be devastating.