Around the AFC West: Everyone is now chasing the Chiefs
Feb 7, 2020, 6:56 AM
The Chiefs are Super Bowl champions. They were able to make a comeback against the 49ers and win their second world title. It was 50 years between championships for Kansas City, but I have a feeling it’s not going to be much longer before they get a chance to hoist another Lombardi Trophy to the sky.
The rest of the division is going to have to contend with a potential dynasty in Kansas City. Teams shouldn’t cower in fear, but instead build teams that can go toe-to-toe with the Chiefs. That means more offense is likely on the way for all the teams in the division.
Let’s take a spin around the AFC West to see what the competition is up to.
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Kansas City Chiefs
It’s funny what winning a Super Bowl will do. During the week of practice leading up to the Super Bowl, wide receiver Sammy Watkins said that he may sit out the 2020 season.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. If we win it, I might chill out. I might sit out a year. Not retiring, but I might just want to rest up and chill. I don’t know. I don’t want to say I’m going to do something, but you never know. I might want to go somewhere else and create another Super Bowl team. So it’s just all about how I’m feeling,” Watkins said.
After the game, Watkins has proclaimed that he is going to play in 2020. Watkins said he plans to play next season, but may skip some offseason workouts for his mental health and to spend time with his family. Mental health is important; so is the $14 million that Watkins is set to make this upcoming season.
The Chiefs would like to keep Watkins around, but he is not playing up to his inflated price tag. There are zero dollars remaining in dead money on Watkins deal, so they could release him and add $14 million to the salary cap. That might be what happens as according to OverTheCap.com the Chiefs only have around $14 million in cap space at this time – and that’s barely enough to sign a rookie class let alone keep your key free agents or pursue other team’s free agents. We’ll see if Watkins agrees to a restructured contract.
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Las Vegas Raiders
The soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders made some contract moves during this past week. They guaranteed part or all of the salaries for tight end Darren Waller, quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Tyrell Williams. In addition to those moves, running back Jalen Richard received a two-year, $7 million contract extension on Wednesday.
Waller’s $7.28 million base salary for 2020 became fully guaranteed this week. It’s a great move and a fantastic price for one of the breakout players of the 2019 season. Waller has overcome some serious hurdles with addiction and off-field issues to become one of the top tight ends in the league. In 2019, Waller finished second in the league with 90 catches and 1,146 yards (also second in the NFL) – trailing only Chiefs superstar tight end Travis Kelce in those categories. No matter who is the quarterback for the Raiders in 2020, Waller should continue to be a big part of the passing game.
Williams’ $11 million base salary for 2020 became full guaranteed on Wednesday. He was thrust into the No.1 receiver role after the release of Antonio Brown and Williams struggled with that role. Expect the Raiders to search for a true No. 1 receiver either in free agency (Robby Anderson?) or the 2020 NFL Draft.
Carr had $2.9 million of his $18.9 million base salary for 2020 guaranteed. It seems like Carr’s time with the Raiders might have run out even though he’s under contract through the 2022 season. Carr has a cap hit of $21.5 million in 2020 and there is $7.9 million remaining in dead money. Speculative reports indicate the Raiders are going to go hard after Tom Brady if he’s made available and that would obviously mean Carr is out as the starter – and maybe traded away from the team.
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Los Angeles Chargers
Even though it’s the offseason, it was a busy week for the Chargers. On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Los Angeles had signed head coach Anthony Lynn to a contract extension. Other reports indicated the extension was at least through the 2021 season – and could be longer.
Lynn has been running the show for the Chargers during the last three seasons. During that time, Lynn’s team has a 26-22 record and are coming off a disappointing 5-11 season in 2019. The Chargers made the playoffs in 2018, winning a Wild Card Game against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and 2019 was the first losing record of Lynn’s head-coaching career with the team.
Keeping Lynn as their head coach gives the Chargers stability at the top. That’s a good thing as 2020 is likely to be a year of change for the team.
It’s doubtful that long-time starting quarterback Philip Rivers returns to the Chargers and their next starter at the position is unknown. Whether they’re able to lure Tom Brady away in free agency (if he’s available) or if they select a quarterback in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft (Justin Herbert?), we will see Lynn once again coaching them up.
