Here we go. The next big domino to fall is Dontari Poe (a very big domino). The Kansas City Chiefs are NOT expected to use the franchise tag on him. This according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport who indicates Poe will be hitting free agency.
#Chiefs are not expected to franchise tag Dontari Poe. The #Ravens are not expected to tag Brandon Williams. Big DTs hitting the FA market
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2017
And Adam Schefter:
Even after signing Eric Berry on Tuesday, Chiefs still not expected to use franchise tag today on jumpshooter Dontari Poe, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2017
Welp. The deadline to use the tag is 3 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) today. The Chiefs haven’t said anything. There is so much money on the free agent market right now that I wouldn’t expect him back if he hit free agency on March 9. I can’t say this is a major shocker but there was some question. I could’ve gone either way. Most of us thought this was a 50/50 deal. The downside to tagging Poe is the price tag - around $13 million. That’s a lot of money for a team who just signed two players to $119 million worth of contracts on Tuesday alone.
The Chiefs seem to like Poe but for such a heavy guy with a back surgery and a ton of snaps on his resume I’m not sure it’s the best bet. I’d be curious to see what the market is for Poe.