Will Chiefs re-sign Super Bowl-winning OT? NFL insider claims Tyreek Hill precedent could wreak havoc
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. from the Baltimore Ravens on April 23rd, 2021.
The Ravens got the Chiefs' first-round pick (31st overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft, a third-round pick (94th overall), a fourth-round pick (136th overall) and a 2022 fifth-round selection in exchange for Brown.
From @NFLTotalAccess: Breaking down the #Ravens trade of standout OT Orlando Brown to the #Chiefs. https://t.co/oIPzm7Z1xM
Brown made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons with the Chiefs and was a franchise tagged by the team in the last off-season. While he headlines the Chiefs' 2023 free agent class, Sports Illustrated's Peter King thinks the team may have a hard time retaining him due to Tyreek Hill's contract demands last off-season.
King said:
"I would say he's clearly their most important free agent. But Mike, if somebody out there offers him 30 million bucks if somebody offers them a Tyreek Hill contract and somebody might, I don't think Brett Veach will resign him and I mean, obviously they want to resign him. But I think Andy Reid, and Brett Veach have done a good job in, in placing proper valuations on their players."
King added that he thinks the team will franchise-tag him for a second straight season.
King said:
"And I think they will do the same thing this year. If Orlando Brown insists on whatever the number is 30 million, I have no idea what it'll be no one knows. But if he insists on money that is out of sight in their cap planning. I think they would try to franchise him a second time."
The Kansas City Chiefs' free agents in 2023
The Chiefs' free-agent class of 2023 will feature left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, right tackle Andrew Wylie, safety Juan Thornhill, running back Jerick McKinnon, wide receiver Mecole Hardman, wide receiver Justin Watson and defensive end Carlos Dunlap.
Brown is certainly their top priority this off-season. With $7 million in cap space, the Chiefs will have to restructure contracts and possibly release some players in order to pay some of their pending free agents, such as Brown.
Like many teams that win the Super Bowl, they will have a few free agents walk elsewhere and get paid more by a different team. The Chiefs are hoping they can retain most of their players, with Brown being their main focus.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Peter King, ProFootball Talk, and H/T Sportskeed