Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs mock draft reaction: Caleb Downs a ‘difference-maker’ — but not a great fit | The Athletic
General manager Brett Veach, in other words, seems to have completely bought into the notion of surplus value in the draft, correctly realizing that the upside of hitting on an early-round player at a premium position pays much greater dividends based on draft picks’ lower salary structure.
Per Spotrac, this year’s No. 9 selection is expected to make $5.6 million next season, with that number increasing to $9.8 million by Year 4.
Getting an above-average safety at $9.8 million is … fine. OverTheCap lists 21 safeties as getting more than that amount on their current deals.
But what if that $9.8 million fourth-year contract was being used for an above-average receiver? Or defensive lineman?
That would be more valuable, given the market and the higher salaries those guys command in free agency.
NFL free agency: Eight QBs who must be re-signed during the 2026 offseason | NFL.com
Gardner Minshew
Kansas City Chiefs – Age 29It seems unlikely Patrick Mahomes will be able to return from his December ACL injury in time to start Week 1 next September. Chris Oladokun failed to capitalize on his opportunity to claim a backup spot on the Chiefs’ depth chart entering 2026. Minshew suffered a season-ending knee injury of his own, but it wasn’t an ACL tear. He should be ready to play sooner than Mahomes, bringing veteran backup experience to a Kansas City team that suddenly needs it more than ever. If the Chiefs receive optimistic news on Mahomes’ timetable for return, they might only temporarily need a steady hand to keep the offense afloat to start the season. Minshew proved his worth as an injury replacement in 2023, when he filled in for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis and kept the Colts in postseason contention.
While pondering future, John Harbaugh ‘really leaned’ on Chiefs coach Andy Reid | Kansas City Star
The two friends apparently spoke frequently, even when Harbaugh’s Ravens were still alive for the AFC North Division title.
“Andy Reid was part of this, right?” Russini said on the podcast. “So John really leaned on Andy Reid during this process, even before (Ravens owner) Steve Bisciotti fired John Harbaugh, John had reached out to Andy to have some conversations about, ‘Should I step down’ if he wasn’t going to get fired? ‘What does next look like?’
“One, Andy Reid has always been a really good friend to John Harbaugh over the years, but of course, we all know what Andy did, which was, of course, leave Philadelphia despite a lot of success, and take his talents to Kansas City, where he had ultimate success and continues to.”
Texans WR Collins ruled out vs. Patriots with concussion | ESPN
Collins suffered the injury when he fell face-first after...
