Greg Rosenthal's worst contracts of free agency so far, guess who is first?

[htismaqe]

https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-fr...ven-out-so-far

This isn't about Thuney, who is clearly a quality guard. It's about value and need and, maybe, using free agency as an emotional rebound after a devastating Super Bowl loss. In a year of relatively low prices on the market, Thuney earned more guaranteed money ($50.9 million) than Trent Williams ($45.1 million) or any other free agent available. The history of guards changing places in free agency and proceeding to earn their money is spotty. While this is true at most positions, guards still rely on teammates and coaches so much that even a good one can get lost without the right support.
Part of my reasoning for listing Thuney here is that the Chiefs have done a laudable job coaching up and finding bargains at the position in the last five years. They paid for tackles, had big misses and some hits at guard and rode that to one of the best offenses in the league. When the tackles were injured this year, it all fell apart. But while the Chiefs' general approach to pay on the edges made sense, Thuney's signing this offseason only seemed to prevent the Chiefs from going the extra mile in their pursuit of Williams, who ended up sticking in San Francisco.

Oh and don't miss Bucky Brooks' latest masterpiece:

Teams should FEAR the new Patriots...

https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-th...-agent-signing

[RunKC]

So this douche makes fun of our OL and then bags on us for...signing an elite OL?

congrats to anyone curious what Mahomes would look like playing for the Bengals

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) February 8, 2021

[staylor26]

This is just so dumb.

1. Thuney had no impact on the Williams signing.

2. Yes the Chiefs have done a solid job at finding bargains on the IOL, but they had a chance to get a top gun at a position (LG) that they’ve been terrible at for most of Reid’s tenure.

3. We got a guy that’s extremely reliable. If you’re going to pay top dollar, it might as well be for a top guy that has no significant injury history.

4. This contract is going to look cheap after Nelson gets paid and the cap explodes.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

And I'll say it right now:

It's looking more and more likely that Superturtle was right and doesn't even know the extent to which he was. The Chiefs appear to be COMPLETELY remaking the offensive line, not just in personnel but in philosophy as well.

Maybe. I think a lot of the moves were designed to create flexibility and redundancies.

Bringing back Remmers gives them someone to compete with Niang at RT, yes, but it also gives them a guy they can trust at RT (where he was quietly very good last year, a performance that's lost in his failure in the Super Bowl) if needed.

Kyle Long, if healthy, can be a major upgrade at RG or a quality starter at RT. It's a depth signing with a large amount of upside but again goes to building depth and creating some flexibility through redundancy.

It all sets up, to me, to being able to create competition at as many spots as possible.

They're not going to pin LT on one guy now (unless they trade assets to acquire one). If they end up drafting at tackle at 31 or lower, they can throw that person in a comp with Niang and play the best guy.

[louie aguiar]

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeyeChief

I don't think the contract was that Massive, in fact in 2023,24 and 25 it will look like a bargain if he stays healthy. He is 28 and has barely missed any snaps, he's top 3 in his position, and is making 5-7 million less than the top Offensive Tackles. This was a good smart signing.

I believe the contract is the highest in NFL history for a guard. Seems pretty massive to me.

[Sassy Squatch]

One thing that is interesting is Veach and Spags don't seem to be satisfied with the secondary as it stands.

[Nightfyre]

Interior pressure is the devil in today's NFL. Investing in preventing it seems wise. In free agency, you must be the highest bidder to win, all other things being equal. Seems like Veach did what had to be done to secure the premium interior olineman on the market. I don't think that merits criticism.

[dallaschiefsfan]

Philosophy-wise, I'm guessing the thought is that creating a pocket that Mahomes can step up into on most every play is the key idea? Or is there a bunch of pulling involved in this philosophy change? Or is this change something else. I confess little knowledge of OL philosophies.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by louie aguiar

I believe the contract is the highest in NFL history for a guard. Seems pretty massive to me.

He's arguably the 2nd best guard in the league, and when Quenton Nelson, arguably the best Guard signs his deal, it will make this contract look cheap...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by dallaschiefsfan

Philosophy-wise, I'm guessing the thought is that creating a pocket that Mahomes can step up into on most every play is the key idea? Or is there a bunch of pulling involved in this philosophy change? Or is this change something else. I confess little knowledge of OL philosophies.

I think the Chiefs are looking to get stronger at the point of attack, for one. I think they're trying to prevent the interior pocket from getting pushed in so that Patrick stops retreating so far. Our tackles were good but they were also forced to hold blocks unconventionally. A tackle is supposed to route edge defenders PAST the pocket and when the interior gets pushed, it disrupts the entire outside blocking process.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

One thing that is interesting is Veach and Spags don't seem to be satisfied with the secondary as it stands.

Eh. I think they just want a NB so they can move Sneed outside.

They’ll probably sign Williams today and draft a safety somewhere in the middle rounds. Maybe another outside corner too.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

One thing that is interesting is Veach and Spags don't seem to be satisfied with the secondary as it stands.

I've thought for some time now that you need to be constantly drafting and developing corners.

It's such an expensive position; and the difference between a 'good' corner and a 'great' corner isn't worth the money in free agency, I don't think.

But the functional difference between 'mediocre' and 'good' is HUGE on a defense.

It's a position where Steven Nelson can get paid like a #1 WR.

That's ****ed up.

So, yeah, always be drafting and developing corners.

[dallaschiefsfan]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I think the Chiefs are looking to get stronger at the point of attack, for one. I think they're trying to prevent the interior pocket from getting pushed in so that Patrick stops retreating so far. Our tackles were good but they were also forced to hold blocks unconventionally. A tackle is supposed to route edge defenders PAST the pocket and when the interior gets pushed, it disrupts the entire outside blocking process.

This makes sense to me from what I saw visually. And - correct me if I'm thinking wrong - but you don't need all-world tackles to direct edge rushers around a pocket that's consistently clean much closer to the line of scrimmage?

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

I've thought for some time now that you need to be constantly drafting and developing corners.

It's such an expensive position; and the difference between a 'good' corner and a 'great' corner isn't worth the money in free agency, I don't think.

But the functional difference between 'mediocre' and 'good' is HUGE on a defense.

It's a position where Steven Nelson can get paid like a #1 WR.

That's ****ed up.

So, yeah, always be drafting and developing corners.

Yeah. That's why I found it a bit odd they were after Shaquil Griffin and Adoree Jackson.

[Shields68]

Originally Posted by staylor26

This is just so dumb.

1. Thuney had no impact on the Williams signing.

2. Yes the Chiefs have done a solid job at finding bargains on the IOL, but they had a chance to get a top gun at a position (LG) that they’ve been terrible at for most of Reid’s tenure.

3. We got a guy that’s extremely reliable. If you’re going to pay top dollar, it might as well be for a top guy that has no significant injury history.

4. This contract is going to look cheap after Nelson gets paid and the cap explodes.

The only way Williams plays into it is if you believe KC should have offered more money or higher guaranteed money to Williams. Further the Chiefs would have if not for Thuney. That was not happening. Williams got all he was going to get at 32 years old.

Further his article implies that last season the line was not the problem. I mean the patched up line could not get a push against a 6 man box. That was obvious in the Tampa game but also was evident all season. We need to run teams out of the defense Tampa ran. We are going to see that copied a lot next season.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Maybe. I think a lot of the moves were designed to create flexibility and redundancies.

Bringing back Remmers gives them someone to compete with Niang at RT, yes, but it also gives them a guy they can trust at RT (where he was quietly very good last year, a performance that's lost in his failure in the Super Bowl) if needed.

Kyle Long, if healthy, can be a major upgrade at RG or a quality starter at RT. It's a depth signing with a large amount of upside but again goes to building depth and creating some flexibility through redundancy.

It all sets up, to me, to being able to create competition at as many spots as possible.

They're not going to pin LT on one guy now (unless they trade assets to acquire one). If they end up drafting at tackle at 31 or lower, they can throw that person in a comp with Niang and play the best guy.

I don't think under any circumstance they have Niang at LT