OT: Free agency. 2026

[Chopper0080]

So Kyler is good enough to provide value to a Super Bowl team/coach but not the Cardinals?

Correct. Because it is an offense that tolerates some QB play outside of timing and rhythm, has a HOF coach, and their HOF QB (potentially) could come back late in the year. And if Kyler sucks, well the Chiefs weren't likely to be good either way.

EDIT: and as K9 pointed out, it is a low investment option for the Chiefs. If Kyler said he was willing to play 2026 for AZ making 15-20 mil instead of his 40+ mil, he would be an option for AZ as well.

 

[Chopper0080]

If he has any kind of competency at GM, he lands this guy. Makes too much sense not to happen.

My point was more of being able to let your 30 year old RT sign elsewhere in FA, gobble up a comp pick, and replace him with the 4th round pick you drafted from the previous year. This is how draft and develop should work. Monti just sucks.

 

[MadCardDisease]

This is the dream Monti has which he has been unable to execute.

I had Smith as a top free agent for the Cardinals to target. It would be a huge get if they were able to land him.

 

[Totally_Red]

Correct. Because it is an offense that tolerates some QB play outside of timing and rhythm, has a HOF coach, and their HOF QB (potentially) could come back late in the year. And if Kyler sucks, well the Chiefs weren't likely to be good either way.

EDIT: and as K9 pointed out, it is a low investment option for the Chiefs. If Kyler said he was willing to play 2026 for AZ making 15-20 mil instead of his 40+ mil, he would be an option for AZ as well.

If Kyler didn't have such an asinine contract he might be plan B if they were unsuccessful in signing Malik Willis. Who knows what plan B is now, Jacoby. Jimmy G., Cousins, etc.?!?
Probably a 90% chance Kyler is released imo.

 

[TheCardFan]

Correct. Because it is an offense that tolerates some QB play outside of timing and rhythm, has a HOF coach, and their HOF QB (potentially) could come back late in the year. And if Kyler sucks, well the Chiefs weren't likely to be good either way.

EDIT: and as K9 pointed out, it is a low investment option for the Chiefs. If Kyler said he was willing to play 2026 for AZ making 15-20 mil instead of his 40+ mil, he would be an option for AZ as well.

Again - Kyler is good enough to start for a potential Super Bowl team but not the Cardinals?

And - he has value to an organization like the Chiefs (Vikings, etc) but has no trade value?

 

[Chopper0080]

I had Smith as a top free agent for the Cardinals to target. It would be a huge get if they were able to land him.

I mean...beggars can't be choosers but here is what you need to know and why Smith is being let walk.

1 - He is 30. (Older than Jonah Williams)
2 - He has played 16 games in a season twice in his 8 year career. (Less than Jonah Williams)
3 - He hasn't played a full season since 2022. (Jonah Williams last one was in 2023)
4 - He hasn't made a Pro Bowl or AP team. (Same as Jonah Williams)

In the end, like most FAs, it comes down to money. How much are you willing to pay for a player like this because his age and durability should be a concern. Also, while I think you could easily argue that Smith has been a better player than Jonah Williams over the past two seasons, he hasn't been a significantly better player than the Jonah Williams who played in Cincy.

 

[kerouac9]

Again - Kyler is good enough to start for a potential Super Bowl team but not the Cardinals?

And - he has value to an organization like the Chiefs (Vikings, etc) but has no trade value?

He’s good enough to be the Joshua Dobbs of the KC Chiefs

 

[Chopper0080]

Again - Kyler is good enough to start for a potential Super Bowl team but not the Cardinals?

And - he has value to an organization like the Chiefs (Vikings, etc) but has no trade value?

The Chiefs aren't a potential Super Bowl team without Mahomes. Kyler might be good enough to keep the Chiefs in reach of the playoffs until Mahomes gets back. If he can't, it's not a big deal.

He has value as a backup or as a low cost FA starter, but he doesn't have trade value because of the contract he carries and the guaranteed money it has for 2027.

 

[Stout]

Again - Kyler is good enough to start for a potential Super Bowl team but not the Cardinals?

And - he has value to an organization like the Chiefs (Vikings, etc) but has no trade value?

Yes. The reasons were outlined above. Do you reject those cogent reasons?

Possibly. His contract is possibly too prohibitive for a team to trade for. Are you pretending you don't already know this?

Your post is very disingenuous.

 

[kerouac9]

The Chiefs aren't a potential Super Bowl team without Mahomes. Kyler might be good enough to keep the Chiefs in reach of the playoffs until Mahomes gets back. If he can't, it's not a big deal.

He has value as a backup or as a low cost FA starter, but he doesn't have trade value because of the contract he carries and the guaranteed money it has for 2027.

Yes. The reasons were outlined above. Do you reject those cogent reasons?

Possibly. His contract is possibly too prohibitive for a team to trade for. Are you pretending you don't already know this?

Your post is very disingenuous.

FWIW, having gone back and forth on this, I wouldn’t take these posts as a criticism of your take; I’d take it as a crie de coeur to Monti if he can’t move Kyler and get something for him/reduce his 2026 cap hold.

 

[TheCardFan]

We agree to disagree and that's fine - it just keeps coming up in different contexts.

Saying that a HOF coach and a model franchise with playoff expectations and potential super bowl potential would find value in Kyler is a strong statement that K1 has value.
I agree that he does and think teams like the Vikings could be in the playoffs with K1 (IIRC - they missed by one game in 2025).

The market needing QB's is significant and the supply is minimal in FA or the draft.

Those two factors tell me that K1 can't be cut.
If it happens, this organization has sunk to even lower low than I ever thought was possible.
Monti should get fired on the spot.

Extreme but I would rather keep Kyler with no additional cap hit in 2026 and keep him away from the team (he would never want that to happen with his missed time last year but that is a different argument) than cut him and pay him $2M more to help another team make the playoffs. I think both sides are motivated to make a deal.

I am fine eating some of his contract - it will be a savings vs the $50M hit. That's a good thing.

This reminds me of how much fans wanted to run BA out of town - most of us were tired of his loyalty/stubbornness. He has a Super Bowl ring and we are basement dwellers again.

I want to keep the emotion out of it. This is a business decision and cutting him makes zero sense.

 

[Stout]

FWIW, having gone back and forth on this, I wouldn’t take these posts as a criticism of your take; I’d take it as a crie de coeur to Monti if he can’t move Kyler and get something for him/reduce his 2026 cap hold.

I can see that. I also see that you and I both love our ten-cent words/phrases

 

[Stout]

We agree to disagree and that's fine - it just keeps coming up in different contexts.

Saying that a HOF coach and a model franchise with playoff expectations and potential super bowl potential would find value in Kyler is a strong statement that K1 has value.
I agree that he does and think teams like the Vikings could be in the playoffs with K1 (IIRC - they missed by one game in 2025).

The market needing QB's is significant and the supply is minimal in FA or the draft.

Those two factors tell me that K1 can't be cut.
If it happens, this organization has sunk to even lower low than I ever thought was possible.

Extreme but I would rather keep Kyler with no additional cap hit in 2026 and keep him away from the team (he would never want that to happen with his missed time last year but that is a different argument) than cut him and pay him $2M more to help another team make the playoffs. I think both sides are motivated to make a deal.

I am fine eating some of his contract - it will be a savings vs the $50M hit. That's a good thing.

This reminds me of how much fans wanted to run BA out of town - most of us were tired of his loyalty/stubbornness. He has a Super Bowl ring and we are basement dwellers again.

I want to keep the emotion out of it. This is a business decision and cutting him makes zero sense.

I hear you about the different threads/context. I do get your point as well. The problem with keeping him another season is it isn't just the 2026 season; keeping him activates 2027 and its guaranteed money. If it were just this season...well, to be honest, I personally don't want him back in any scenario, but I could see it making a lot more sense.

I also hear you on Arians but don't see them as the same situations. And, honestly, Arians was 100 percent as much to blame as the Cards. Famous Amos, anyone?

 

[kerouac9]

And, honestly, Arians was 100 percent as much to blame as the Cards. Famous Amos, anyone?

Brother I can’t believe you’re still putting this take out there

 

[Stout]

Brother I can’t believe you’re still putting this take out there

So you were cool with Arian's refusing to fire him?

 

[slanidrac16]

I mean...beggars can't be choosers but here is what you need to know and why Smith is being let walk.

1 - He is 30. (Older than Jonah Williams)
2 - He has played 16 games in a season twice in his 8 year career. (Less than Jonah Williams)
3 - He hasn't played a full season since 2022. (Jonah Williams last one was in 2023)
4 - He hasn't made a Pro Bowl or AP team. (Same as Jonah Williams)

In the end, like most FAs, it comes down to money. How much are you willing to pay for a player like this because his age and durability should be a concern. Also, while I think you could easily argue that Smith has been a better player than Jonah Williams over the past two seasons, he hasn't been a significantly better player than the Jonah Williams who played in Cincy.

As fans, we see things in a fantasy football light. Ouuu…Jonah Williams, played for KC, he must be good. Sign him.
We also don’t take in consideration of the player actually fits the intended scheme.

 

[kerouac9]

So you were cool with Arian's refusing to fire him?

I was then and I am now. Coaches get to choose their staffs. Full stop.

We didn’t go 8-8 because Amos was our ST coordinator. We went 8-8 because Kerwyn Williams and Adrian Peterson were our leading rushers.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

There isn’t consensus that Kyler is an upgrade over Jacoby Brissett but he’s getting paid 5x more.

There should be. Just look at the W/L record.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

There should be. Just look at the W/L record.

Kyler is better looking at W/L record. People criticize him all of the time, using W/L and rightfully so. The same should apply here, comparing Brisset without including salary.

Now the debate with him getting paid 5x more and whether the team would be better off with Kyler vs Jacoby is different.

 

[kerouac9]

Kyler is better looking at W/L record. People criticize him all of the time, using W/L and rightfully so. The same should apply here, comparing Brisset without including salary.

Now the debate with him getting paid 5x more and whether the team would be better off with Kyler vs Jacoby is different.

Meh. Kyler was 2-3 vs Brissett 1-11 with similar personnel.

Over the past four years Kyler is 16-25. Not really worth investing more money in.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Meh. Kyler was 2-3 vs Brissett 1-11 with similar personnel.

Over the past four years Kyler is 16-25. Not really worth investing more money in.

I'm not saying we should invest in him. We should definitely move on from Kyler.

Both things can be true at the same time.

 

[TheCardFan]

Per @JasonLaCanfora The Ravens and C Tyler Linderbaum have reached an impasse.It would appear unless something drastic happens. Tyler is slated to hit free agency.

Interesting pressure rates for C's.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Adrian]

MisterTD
@mistertdnyk
·
2h
The Giants are interested in Mike Evans — “for the right price.”

New York views Evans as a veteran presence and a legit weapon for Jaxson Dart.

 

[Adrian]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet
·
18m
The #Cowboys and standout RB Javonte Williams have agreed to terms on a 3-year deal worth $24M, sources say. Dallas keeps a big-time player.

He gets his $8M per year after a breakout season in a deal was done by @AgentNicoleLynn of @KlutchSports.

 

[Adrian]

Jeremy Fowler
@JFowlerESPN
·
1h
The Jets are weighing all options with Breece Hall’s future, including a tag and/or an effort toward a long-term deal.

Some inside league expect the transition tag for Hall (around $11.7M), but that’s yet to be determined.