Arrowheadlines: Chiefs to face Tom Brady next season

The latest

Tom is leaving the AFC, but the Chiefs aren’t done facing him | Kansas City Star

If quarterback Tom Brady is indeed heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fans might think the Chiefs are done facing the six-time Super Bowl champion.

But guess who’s on the Chiefs’ 2020 schedule?

Yep. It’s the Buccaneers.

The game is in Tampa, Florida, and if all works out for the Chiefs, they’ll be playing there a second time regardless of whether Brady and the Buccaneers are the opponent.

Super Bowl LV will be held in February 2021 in Tampa, and it is the Chiefs’ hope that they can defend their championship.

Emmanuel Ogbah latest to join Dolphins, agrees to 2-year deal worth $15M | ESPN

Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah became the latest free agent to join the Dolphins’ defense, agreeing to terms with Miami on a two-year deal Tuesday worth up to $15 million, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The deal includes $7.5 million fully guaranteed, Rosenhaus told Schefter.

Ogbah had 5.5 sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs last season before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 10. He figures to provide depth and pass-rushing for a Miami defense that finished last in the NFL last season with just 23 sacks.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes joins teammates’ fight against hunger during outbreak | KSHB

One day after Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill announced a donation to Harvester’s to help feed those in need and within hours of tight end Travis Kelce upping the ante, Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes announced a $100,000 donation.

“To help ease the anxiety and tension during these uncertain times, the 15 and the Mahomes Foundation is committing $100,000 to Kansas City Public School Lunch Programs and local organizations that provide meals and household goods to families in need,” a tweet from Mahomes’ Foundation read. “15 and the Mahomies sends its prayers to all impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and looks forward to brighter days, as this too shall pass.”

DeForest Buckner’s New Deal Could Impact Chiefs And Chris Jones | Forbes

However, it is in the Chiefs’ best interest to secure a long-term deal with Jones. That way the cash-strapped Chiefs, who are reported to have less than $20 million in salary cap space, can structure Jones’ contract in a way that could help the team in the short and long term. Spreading out the money would make it easier to extend Patrick Mahomes, retain Sammy Watkins and address the dearth of cornerbacks on the roster.

But because of Buckner’s deal, Jones’ price in a long-term contract may have just gone up.

Buckner’s deal includes $56.378 million guaranteed for injury with $39.378 million fully guaranteed.

That latter number is also second to Donald, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who had $50 million guaranteed at signing and averages $22.5 million.

Around the league

Report: Tom Brady, Buccaneers agree to deal in principle | Sports Illustrated

While there is no official announcement date set up between Brady and the Buccaneers, the Chargers, another reported leading suitor, believe they are “out of the running” for Brady after making him an offer, according to NFL Network’s Jim Trotter. The Brady camp, per Trotter, “has led the Chargers to believe he is going to stay back East because of family considerations.”

Brady announced on Tuesday morning that he would be leaving New England after 20 seasons. He announced his decision in a social media post titled “Forever A Patriot.”

“To all my teammates, coaches, executives and staff, Coach Belichick, RKK and the Kraft family and the entire organization,” Brady wrote, ”I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning club built on great values.

Panthers give Teddy Bridgewater $63M deal; Cam Newton unhappy | ESPN

The contract is expected to be done by the time the new league year begins Wednesday, the source said.

That news came hours after Newton responded to the team’s post on Instagram saying that he could seek a trade.

”Stop with the word play. I never asked for it,” he commented. “There is no dodging this one. I love the Panthers to death and will always love you guys. Please do not try and play me or manipulate the narrative and act like I wanted this. You forced me into this. Love”

Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, who parted ways with the Panthers in January after nine seasons, responded to Newton’s comment on Instagram with one of his own: “Sounds familiar.”

Source: Philip Rivers to join Colts on 1-year, $25M deal | ESPN

Signing Rivers to a one-year contract could allow the Colts, who don’t have a first-round draft pick, an opportunity to select a quarterback in the draft and use the year for him to learn behind Rivers.

Rivers replaces Jacoby Brissett as the starter next season. The Colts only gave Brissett a two-year contract last September in order to see if he was ready to become their next franchise quarterback after Andrew Luck’s surprising retirement. Brissett led the Colts to a 5-2 start, but a knee injury and accuracy problems caused him to struggle down the stretch.

Former Rams LB Cory Littleton to sign a three-year deal with the Raiders, per report | CBS Sports

Littleton will be joining a Raiders defense that was in need of an upgrade at the linebacker position. Outside of linebacker, the Raiders’ defense was starting to come into form last season. The unit started three rookies in defensive ends Maxx Crosby, Clelin Ferrell and cornerback Trayvon Mullen. Safety Erik Harris enjoyed his best season to date, while fellow safety Karl Joseph was also enjoying a solid season before sustaining a season-ending injury nine games into the season. Joseph is now slated to become a free agent.

Littleton is the second Rams’ defender departing in free agency in as many days. On Monday, DE Michael Brockers came to terms on a three-year, $30 million deal with the Ravens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Source: Cowboys TE Jason Witten agrees to deal with Las Vegas Raiders | Dallas Morning News

Witten spent the first 16 years of his NFL career with the Cowboys, with a one-year break to go to the Monday Night Football booth. His 1,215 receptions ranks fourth in league history and is a franchise record. Witten also holds club records for yards receiving (12,977), most receptions in a single game (18), most games played (239) and most consecutive starts (179).

Witten told reporters in February that while he wanted to finish his career in a Cowboys uniform, he was open to finishing his career elsewhere.

“I think I have to be,’’ Witten told reporters last month. “Obviously, that’s not ideal. I would love to finish it out here. But you know, some of those things are not in your control. I’m not naive enough to think that couldn’t be somewhere else.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Why the Chiefs’ Super Bowl team beginning to lose pieces is a good thing

Fuller’s deal came in at $40 million while Ogbah’s total was $15 million — too expensive for their roles in Kansas City. And those contracts were inflated by the fact that each of them will have a Super Bowl ring tucked away in their moving trucks.

The new reality is that Fuller and Ogbah are only the first pieces of what will be many more to lose — that is, if the Chiefs manage sustained success, which is now the goal.

They got the first championship. Now, how do they ensure they become one of the greatest bands of all time (the New England Patriots) and not a one-hit wonder (Joe Flacco’s Ravens)?

It will be by continuing to make those smarter, tougher decisions, keeping the core — the blue-chip players — together, and saying goodbye to players they identify as replaceable.

From a tangible standpoint, that means piling up compensatory picks just like the Patriots, who added four selections this season.

A tweet to make you think

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media

Facebook Page: Click here to like our page

AP Instagram: Follow @ArrowheadPride

AP Twitter: Follow @ArrowheadPride

AP Editor-in-Chief: Pete Sweeney: Follow @pgsween

610 Sports Twitter: Follow @610SportsKC