The Kansas City Chiefs could find themselves playing a game within the game of free agency this year.
Orlando Brown Jr., Mecole Hardman and Juan Thornhill are all expected to have robust markets when free agency opens next week. It’s very possible that all three of the players sign lucrative contracts that qualify toward the compensatory pick formula in 2024. If that’s the case, Chiefs GM Brett Veach will likely look to avoid signing compensable free agents who cancel out any compensatory picks earned.
In order to avoid sitting on their hands too long, the Chiefs could prioritize adding from the pool of players who have been released as salary cap casualties. Right now, that list includes 20 players and it could grow even larger by Wednesday, March 15.
Below is an up-to-date list of the players who’ve been released:
QB Carson Wentz
QB Marcus Mariota
WR Robert Woods
WR Chosen Anderson
WR Kenny Golladay (release reported, not expected official until new league year)
WR Braxton Berrios (to be released at start of new league year)
RB Leonard Fournette
TE Cameron Brate
LT Taylor Lewan
LT Donovan Smith
C Justin Britt
DL Michael Brockers
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
EDGE Bud Dupree (release reported, not yet official)
EDGE Leonard Floyd
LB Zach Cunningham
LB Eric Kendricks
CB Shaq Griffin
CB Byron Jones
CB Bobby McCain
S John Johnson III
