Update: Adam Schefter is calling the Steelers the favorites to land Joe Haden
The Kansas City Chiefs remain in the Joe Haden sweepstakes. At least according to what some NFL reporters are saying. Shortly after the Cleveland Browns released Joe Haden on Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Chiefs and Saints were two teams who have shown interest in him. Then another ESPNer, Josina Anderson, reported that the Steelers were in the mix and seemed like a real possibility.
Now Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says the Chiefs are indeed in the mix but so are a number of other teams.
Joe Haden is entertaining 1year and multi-year offers. Expected to pick a team w/in 24hrs. PIT, MIA, NO, PHI, KC, SF very much in mix...
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 30, 2017
The thing to note here is that he is considering short and long term deals. Why is that important? Because I think the Chiefs are realistically only down for a short term deal.
Just based on how many teams are supposedly interested in him and the Chiefs cap space (about $8.8 million, which is enough but not a lot) it seems unlikely he signs in Kansas City. The Star’s Terez Paylor came to a similar conclusion in this piece, noting that the Chiefs are up against next year’s cap pretty well, too.
This is a useful note from Nick Jacobs:
Cap space of teams linked to Haden
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) August 30, 2017
49ers $68.3M
Chiefs $8.6M
Dolphins $8.9M
Eagles $12.1M
Saints $9.9M
Steelers $13.3M
One position isn’t going to make or break the Chiefs defense. I want some cornerback depth because I’m not convinced of anyone beyond Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson. Terrance Mitchell has been hurt all preseason. Are the Chiefs going to rely on Phillip Gaines at that position? Probably not.
So, I actually think they do make a move on a corner sometime in the next few days ... just one that’s cheaper than Haden.