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Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud
Mahomes is a true junior at this point. Turning 22 in September doesn't make him an "old" senior. The Chiefs don't have to rush him, as Smith is under contract and I don't they they will rush him, as it won't benefit the team in the long run.
Under no scenario can I envision the Chiefs paying a 30 year old Maclin, who's clearly on the decline, $13.4 million in 2018. Look to the drafting of Chesson and the large number of UDFA's as proof they're looking to upgrade the WR corp.
Same for Bailey. He'd need to have an insane, breakout season this year in order to justify an $8 million dollar cap hit and with the drafting of Kpassagnon and Jones, the writing is on the wall.
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A lot of the financial decisions all come back to what happens at QB. If they feel like they can move on from Smith, they could cut him, Hali, Jah Reid, and Demetrius Harris and have $21.6M in cap space (according to OTC). If you add DJ into that, the number jumps to almost $30M, and you'd still have Maclin and Bailey on the roster. That would be enough cap room to make whatever moves/extensions they might want.
On the flip side, if they feel like they have to keep Alex for 2018, I would hope they can get him to take somewhat of a pay cut. Assuming he would make what he is scheduled to make, and cutting Maclin, Bailey, DJ, Hali, Reid, and Harris would put them at around $27M in cap room. Either scenario presents a lot of veterans being released, but the first one is more likely IMO as they have their biggest investment waiting in the wings behind Smith.
JMO, but I think Maclin bounces back this year. Not necessarily a 1000 yards, as that will be tough to get with Kelce and Hill around and Alex at QB, but I think he will be a threat.