Chiefs Standout on Trading Block Due to Salary Cap Concerns

The Kansas City Chiefs ran it back in 2021 with nearly the same roster that won them a Super Bowl in 2020. It didn't net the same results, and now they're starting to feel the cost of that decision this offseason.

It's no secret that Tyrann Mathieu could be playing somewhere else next season, and he's not the only top defender that KC stands to lose.

Frank Clark Chiefs

Defensive lineman Frank Clark is on the books for $26.3 million this season, which trails only Chris Jones ($29.4 million) and Patrick Mahomes ($35.8 million) as the third biggest cap hit on the team.

That's a huge chunk of change, and Clark's contract gives the Chiefs some flexibility to get out. If he's traded or released the team would eat just $12.9 million in dead money, freeing up $13.4 million in cap space. If he's moved with a post-June 1 designation, that dead cap number gets distributed over the next two seasons. That would mean $19.85 million in savings for 2022.

Of course, that money doesn't mean it wouldn't seriously sting to lose Clark. He's been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons in KC, racking up a combined 18.5 sacks, 24 TFLs and 46 quarterback hits in 43 games.

The Chiefs' roster situation this offseason highlights just how hard it is to sustain long-term success in today's NFL. Even still, FanDuel Sportsbook's early Super Bowl odds have the Chiefs ranked third in the NFL, at +850 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next February.

Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.