Tag: Chiefs

Feb 4, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes ahead of schedule after toe surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Monday he is ahead of schedule in his rehab after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a turf toe injury.

Mahomes had the procedure days after guiding the Chiefs to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, in which they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Obviously, we’re trying to be cautious and not push me out there too soon, but I’m doing what I can,” Mahomes said. “I’ve gotten out of the boot finally. It took forever. Now I’m trying to get back on the field and get that stuff working.

“I’m sure they’ll keep me along that same pathway and that hopefully I can do some stuff by the end of the offseason.”

Mahomes played through the injury, sustained in the playoffs during Kansas City’s victory over the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round in January.

Mahomes, 25, was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2018 before his consecutive Super Bowl seasons, including a win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Even so, he believes he can get better as he gets healthier.

“There are so many different things I can improve in my game,” Mahomes said. “Being able to kind of restart and start from injury with the feet, I can really improve my footwork and try to make myself better.

“I’ve dealt with ankle injuries in my career and being able to teach myself how to hit the right spots in my feet, by teaching myself just how to get back from this injury I think will help me out in the long run and something that I can really focus on.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid added, “He’s got great flexibility in that toe. He worked his tail off, not a real fun thing for him to do with that. It seems like a small thing, but that toe is rather large and stiff before the surgery and after the surgery. He’s really worked hard to get that right.”

Mahomes has a 38-8 career regular-season record as a starter in four NFL seasons, all with the Chiefs. Last year, he completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,740 yards with 38 touchdowns and six interceptions. For his career, he has a 66 percent completion rate with 14,152 passing yards, 114 TD passes and 24 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) walks up the field at the end of the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Smith retires from NFL after 16 seasons

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Dec 27, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Chicago Bears safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (38) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tyler Eifert (88) during the second quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Smith, the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2020, announced his retirement on Monday in a video posted to Instagram, 16 years after he was the first pick in the NFL draft.

Smith led the Washington Football Team into the playoffs more than two years after the devastating injury he sustained in Week 11 of the 2018 season. He required 17 surgeries to save his leg, repair the injury and fight a life-threatening infection.

Washington released him last month. Smith became a free agent, and the move saved the club nearly $15 million against the 2021 salary cap.

Smith, who turns 37 next month, started the 2020 season as Washington’s third-string quarterback. The team turned to Kyle Allen after Dwayne Haskins was ineffective, and Smith took over after Allen suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9.

He played in eight regular-season games, starting six, and completed 168 of 252 passes (66.7 percent) for 1,582 yards and six touchdowns. He was unable to play in Washington’s wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a calf injury.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco, Smith was 99-67-1 as a starter and passed for 35,650 yards and 199 touchdowns in 174 games with the 49ers (2005-12), Kansas City Chiefs (2014-17) and Washington.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Britt Reid talks to his players during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Chiefs assistant Britt Reid charged with felony DWI

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Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid was charged Monday with felony DWI for the February accident that left a 5-year-old girl with life-threatening injuries.

If convicted of the Class D felony, Reid could be sentenced up to seven years in prison.

Reid, 35, is the son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. He was expected to turn himself in and be booked later Monday. Prosecutors have requested $100,000 bond and GPS and alcohol monitoring of Reid.

Kansas City prosecutors say Reid had a blood alcohol concentration of .113 from a sample taken two hours after he barreled into a disabled vehicle on I-435. Reid was driving 83.9 miles per hour — in a posted 65 — 1.9 seconds before slamming into the vehicle, per the probable cause statement form.

Reid “operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and acted with criminal negligence by driving at an excessive rate of speed,” Jackson County (Missouri) prosecutors said in the filing.

Ariel Young, 5, was critically injured in the Feb. 4 wreck.

“The Kansas City Chiefs organization remains steadfast in our concern for all who have been impacted by this tragic accident,” the Chiefs said in a statement Monday. “Our prayers are focused on Ariel’s continued healing and recovery. The Chiefs are regularly in contact with the family’s designated representative during this challenging time.”

An attorney for the family of Young said the young girl was released from the hospital and went home on April 2.

“The charge is absolutely appropriate under the circumstances,” attorney Tom Porto said in a statement. “Ariel will have to endure the consequences of this crash for the rest of her life. … As of right now, she still cannot walk or talk and depends on a feeding tube for basic nutrition.”

Reid suffered blunt force trauma to his groin in the accident which required emergency surgery, per the filing.

He was initially placed on administrative leave by the Chiefs before the organization decided against renewing his contract. He’s no longer with the team.

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blythe (66) points out a blocking scheme against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs get free agent C Austin Blythe on 1-year deal

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Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams plays their final home game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals in an empty SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with free agent center Austin Blythe on a one-year deal, NFL Network and The Athletic reported Tuesday.

Blythe, 28, spent the past four seasons in Los Angeles, starting 48 games for the Rams and missing just one game the past three seasons. Blythe graded out as the eighth-best center in run-blocking this past season, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Chiefs ostensibly are moving on from Austin Reiter, their starting center the past two seasons.

Blythe was a seventh-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 draft. He was claimed off waivers by the Rams in May 2017.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs sign DT Jarran Reed to 1-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs reached a one-year deal with defensive tackle Jarran Reed, two days after he was released by Seattle.

Reed can earn up to $7 million in the deal, ESPN reported Sunday. The Seahawks saved $9 million against their salary cap by releasing the 28-year-old on Friday.

Reed had been a full-time starter since 2017, one year after the Seahawks selected him in the second round of the draft.

Reed recorded 6.5 sacks, 38 tackles and one forced fumble in 16 games last season.

Reed collected 22.0 sacks, 194 tackles and three forced fumbles in 72 career games (63 starts) with the Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) runs against Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and inside linebacker A.J. Johnson (45) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: WR Robinson returns to Chiefs on one-year deal

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Nov 12, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) makes the interception in front of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marcus Johnson (83) but ruled out of bounds during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City have retained receiver Demarcus Robinson on a one-year deal, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

The Houston Chronicle reported the deal is worth $1.137 million.

The 26-year-old Robinson caught 45 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games (nine starts) last season, his fifth with the Chiefs.

The receptions and yardage were a career best for Robinson, who has caught 120 passes for 1,415 yards and 11 touchdowns in 80 games (32 starts) for Kansas City.

Robinson was a fourth-round draft choice in 2016 out of Florida.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) is tackled by New England Patriots defensive back J.C. Jackson (27) during the third quarter of a NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Report: WR Sammy Watkins to visit Ravens

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Wide receiver Sammy Watkins will meet with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, NFL Network reported.

Joining the Ravens likely would serve both entities well. Baltimore is in need of an upgrade to its wide receiver corps, while Watkins likely would be in line for more playing time — provided he can avoid the injury bug that has plagued him throughout his career.

Watkins, 27, has struggled to stay healthy since being selected by the Buffalo Bills with the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has missed multiple contests in a season in all but his rookie campaign.

Watkins recorded 37 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games with the Kansas City Chiefs last season. He has 321 catches for 4,665 yards with 33 scores in 86 career games with the Los Angeles Rams, Bills and Chiefs.

The Ravens reportedly pursued JuJu Smith-Schuster before the wideout elected to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal last week.

Wideout Marquise Brown and tight end Mark Andrews each had 58 receptions last season to lead Baltimore. Brown led the team in receiving yards (769) and receiving touchdowns (eight).

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney (62) looks to block against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs sign OG Joe Thuney, reel in Kyle Long out of retirement

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Nov 17, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive guard Joe Thuney and retired lineman Kyle Long signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday.

Thuney’s deal is reportedly worth $80 million over five years.

Thuney was considered the top offensive guard on the market and played under the franchise tag with the New England Patriots last season.

Long played guard and tackle with the Chicago Bears but retired after the 2019 season. His career has been dented by injuries, including hip and knee injuries. Long can earn $5 million on a one-year deal, per reports.

The 28-year-old Thuney started 80 consecutive games for the Patriots over the past five seasons. He also started 10 playoff games, including three straight Super Bowls.

The Chiefs released their starting offensive tackles from 2020, Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, but have been focused on rebuilding an offensive line that let down quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney (62) blocks on a play in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: G Joe Thuney agrees to $80M deal with Chiefs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs and free agent guard Joe Thuney have agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal, according to multiple reports on Monday.

The 28-year-old Thuney started 80 consecutive games for the New England Patriots over the past five seasons. He also started 10 playoff games, including three straight Super Bowls.

Thuney earned nearly $14.8 million last season after the Patriots placed the franchise tag on him.

The signing of Thuney will help the Chiefs better protect star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was repeatedly harassed during last month’s Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mahomes expressed his approval on Twitter with three emojis that depict a grinning face and smiling eyes.

Thuney was a third-round selection (78th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of North Carolina State.

–Field Level Media

Feb 4, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chiefs hope to restructure Patrick Mahomes’ contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs apparently hope to become the latest NFL team to restructure the contract of a high-priced quarterback to save salary-cap space.

ESPN reported Friday that the Chiefs hope to change Mahomes’ $21.7 million roster bonus to a signing bonus, a maneuver that would result in $17 million of cap savings for the 2021 season.

The accounting shift would allow the team to spread out the cap cost of the bonus money over multiple years.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady similarly agreed to a contract extension Friday that provides the club with additional salary-cap flexibility.

The Chiefs’ tight salary-cap situation was highlighted earlier this week when the team parted ways with starting tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher on the same day.

Mahomes is under contract with the Chiefs through 2031 on a 10-year, $450 million contract he agreed to last summer. He reportedly was guaranteed $103.5 million through this month, including a $63 million bonus paid when he signed. His total injury guarantee was $141 million.

Mahomes, 25, was the 2018 NFL Most Valuable Player, and he led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl championship after the 2019 season. Kansas City got back to the Super Bowl following the 2020 season but fell to Brady and the Buccaneers in the title game last month.

In 2020, Mahomes completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,740 yards with 38 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. A three-time Pro Bowl honoree, Mahomes has a 38-8 career regular-season record as a starter, and he has completed 66 percent of his passes for 14,152 yards with 114 TD tosses and 24 interceptions.

–Field Level Media