NFL Free Agency: Chiefs Aim to Raise Salary Cap to $25M+ as Marquez Valdes-Scantling Joins Cut List

The Kansas City Chiefs have a push-pull relationship with their wide receivers. The Chiefs are considering a significant roster shakeup because several players need contract updates. It wouldn’t be too pessimistic to think that some players might not get an extension for this year. Marquez Valdes-Scantling could be one of those unfortunate individuals.

MVS is one of the highest-paid individuals in the Chiefs squad. By the looks of his performance last season, the Chiefs might not give him any more chances. Considering the frequent dropped catches, letting him go will be a cost-saving move for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dark clouds loom over Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The head-scratching argument came from Tanner Phifer as he posted on X a video saying, “Marquez Valdes-Scantling RELEASED by Chiefs Soon?” The YouTube video tries to justify the rationale behind the Chiefs cutting MVS loose from the roster. Valdes-Scantling operates on a base salary of around $11.5 million, excluding incentives, while carrying a cap hit of about $13.9 million. The Chiefs currently have a cap space of about $16 million; by letting MVS go, they can increase it to more than $25 million. Here’s how.

The Chiefs would create about $12 million in cap space by not signing him. This will leave them with a dead cap of $2 million. His contract will become void on June 1; however, per Spotrac, it will make no difference if the Chiefs decide to trade him or release him before that date because they would have $2 million in dead cap and about $11.9 million in cap savings. A part of this also has to do with his performance this season. All of this will end up increasing their cap space.

He had 315 yards in this season. Besides this, he only scored one touchdown in the 2023 season in the 16 games he played. It’s safe to say he has had plenty of chances to get it right. Also, he only caught 50% of the passes thrown to him.

The Chiefs have a massive problem in their receiver’s department, and MVS isn’t the only one they need to worry about.

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The giant crater in the KC wideout

MVS and the KC team are facing issues with Kadarius Toney. He had just 169 yards and one touchdown in the entire 2023 season. He played 13 games. However, Toney’s base salary of $2.5 million is inconsequential to what MVS is making. So, the Chiefs might keep Toney around in hopes of him improving. Also, Sky Moore got little recognition this year, but he has room for improvement.

The problem with MVS is that he has a lot of experience in the NFL, and keeping him would only get costlier by the year. He would have been a part of the team if it weren’t for the dismal performance, despite sticking around for six years in the league.

Would the Kansas City Chiefs let him go after June 1? Tell us your thoughts.

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