The Monday following the conclusion of the season is always an important day on the NFL calendar whether you’re a team that’s out of the playoff race or still in it.
Not only are teams permitted to begin signing free agents to reserve/future contracts, but they can also start signing some of their own players on contract extensions. Starting on Monday, Jan. 9, the Kansas City Chiefs and teams across the league are now permitted to renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of a drafted rookie who was selected in any round of the 2020 NFL draft. Undrafted rookies who signed in 2021 are also now eligible for contract extensions.
Here is a reminder of the players drafted by the Chiefs in 2020 that currently remain on the team:
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- LB Willie Gay Jr.
- OT Lucas Niang
- CB L’Jarius Sneed
- DE Mike Danna
Each of these players still has one more year remaining on their rookie deals, which means Brett Veach won’t be in a hurry to get extensions done. In some cases, the Chiefs could look to sign a player to an extension early in order to get themselves a deal based on the current free agent market or a player’s projected development cycle.
Of this group, the three most notable names are on the defensive side of the ball. L’Jarius Sneed, Willie Gay Jr. and Mike Danna have each emerged as key pieces for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense this season. They all have the potential to earn second contracts in Kansas City.
