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One month in, where the Chiefs stand in free agency

The complete list of the team’s offseason transactions so far — with special emphasis on 2022 comp picks.

By John Dixon
Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

NFL free agency began one month ago Monday, when the league’s legal tampering period began. While the free agency period is generally thought to extend only through the NFL Draft, it actually extends throughout the league year; it’s just that free agent players signed after the draft don’t count in the compensatory draft picks formula for the following season.

So while free agent signings across the league have now slowed to a trickle, it’s still possible — even likely — that the Kansas City Chiefs will sign more of them.

But let’s sum up what they’ve done so far. We’ll pay particular attention to players eligible to be included in the comp picks formula for 2022. At this writing, the team has 73 players signed to their roster — and we calculate that they have $13.6 million in salary cap space.

Chiefs free agent signings

These free agents from other teams have been signed to the Chiefs roster. Of these, only Joe Thuney will be counted in the comp picks formula; the rest won’t earn enough under their reported Kansas City contracts — or will be ineligible either because they were released from a 2021 contract or didn’t have a 2020 NFL contract.

Chiefs releases and retirements

All of these Kansas City players (except Anthony Sherman) were under contract for 2021. If they are signed to another team, they will not count in the comp picks calculation. Should Sherman decide to return to the NFL, it is possible that he could be included — but only in the unlikely event he signs a contract in excess of $1.75 million per year.

Chiefs free agents signed elsewhere

These former Chiefs players have been signed to other teams. Two of them — Tanoh Kpassagnon and Sammy Watkins — are known to be eligible for 2022’s comp pick formula. Damien Wilson — whose contract figures are not yet known — could be eligible. As a released player, Damien Williams will not be eligible.

Chiefs free agent re-signings

These free agent players were on Kansas City’s active or practice squad rosters in 2020 — or on the reserve list. As such, none will count in the comp picks formula.

* Chris Lammons was signed to the active roster from the practice squad the day before the Super Bowl. He has not appeared on an NFL transactions report as having been signed to a contract for 2021, but the Chiefs have confirmed to Arrowhead Pride that he is on their current roster.

Chiefs free agents

The contracts for all of these Kansas City players were allowed to expire. If signed elsewhere for enough money, those in bold could be included in the comp picks calculation; they were on the active roster or reserve list when the 2020 season ended. In the meantime, you can expect the Chiefs to have their agents on speed dial.

  • RB Le’Veon Bell
  • CB Bashaud Breeland
  • CB Alex Brown
  • P Dustin Colquitt
  • CB Antonio Hamilton
  • C Daniel Kilgore
  • QB Matt Moore
  • DE Alex Okafor
  • G Patrick Omameh
  • G Kelechi Osemele
  • DT Mike Pennel
  • C Austin Reiter
  • TE Deon Yelder
  • TE Ricky Seals-Jones
  • G Stefen Wisniewski

Note: A previous version of this article listed Alex Okafor as a player who would be eligible to be included in compensatory pick calculations if he is signed by another team. Additional research has revealed that because the 2021 contract year of his contract automatically voided, this would not be the case.

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