Looks like we’re paying Bolton and letting Trey walk

[RunKC]

Per Jeremy Fowler

pic.twitter.com/idqDMmc5xo

— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) November 13, 2024

Hopefully Bolton doesn’t rape us.

I think this is the most likely outcome unfortunately. Trey is gonna get $21 million APY.

Hoping we can keep Hopkins, Hardman and Juju on fair deals, maybe Uche if he’ll agree to a fair deal and extend Thuney’s deal to free up cap space and push that can down the road a bit.

Hicks can replace Reid. Wanya will likely replace Trey and we’ll look for a LT somewhere.

[DJ's left nut]

I've largely been at "Let them both walk..." and haven't really seen much to change my mind in that regard.

The IOL hasn't been as stout in pass pro as I'd like all year. And ultimately you can't just continue to bring back more expensive versions of the same team.

If that means not having the highest paid IOL in football and a MLB who has some limitations (though honestly, I think the league is coming TOWARDS his play style, not away from it), so be it.

If that money is reallocated to pass catchers and/or OT, then that's the way it ought be done.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I've largely been at "Let them both walk..." and haven't really seen much to change my mind in that regard.

The IOL hasn't been as stout in pass pro as I'd like all year. And ultimately you can't just continue to bring back more expensive versions of the same team.

If that means not having the highest paid IOL in football and a MLB who has some limitations (though honestly, I think the league is coming TOWARDS his play style, not away from it), so be it.

If that money is reallocated to pass catchers and/or OT, then that's the way it ought be done.

Same.

I love Bolton. I don't love keeping Bolton at the expense of other dudes

I hope there is a case where Smith's condition affords us a discount, but being there has been absolutely no word about it, that's a pipe dream.

Thanks dudes. Get the money.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Same.

I love Bolton. I don't love keeping Bolton at the expense of other dudes

I hope there is a case where Smith's condition affords us a discount, but being there has been absolutely no word about it, that's a pipe dream.

Thanks dudes. Get the money.

Smith at a 'discount' is still $18 million.

There's just not a happy ending to be found here, IMO.

I think we just have to continue to churn and burn on the IOL. We have an anchor tenant there now and a guy who re-set the salary market (by a lot) for the position. And hell, we didn't even get him signed that LONG in so doing. We paid a ton for Creed.

Earn your money, bucko. If you need 2 All-Pro caliber OGs alongside you to perform, you're a problem.

I don't think that's the case.

I think you have to presume that job is Nourzad's to lose, especially now that Morris appears to be as close to a long-term option at LT as we have. Now if we reallocate the money we could spend on Smith to a strong veteran LT, that would free Morris up to move inside where I think he'd be a real asset.

But none of 'em asked me...

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I've largely been at "Let them both walk..." and haven't really seen much to change my mind in that regard.

The IOL hasn't been as stout in pass pro as I'd like all year. And ultimately you can't just continue to bring back more expensive versions of the same team.

If that means not having the highest paid IOL in football and a MLB who has some limitations (though honestly, I think the league is coming TOWARDS his play style, not away from it), so be it.

If that money is reallocated to pass catchers and/or OT, then that's the way it ought be done.

Completely agree with this.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I've largely been at "Let them both walk..." and haven't really seen much to change my mind in that regard.

The IOL hasn't been as stout in pass pro as I'd like all year. And ultimately you can't just continue to bring back more expensive versions of the same team.

If that means not having the highest paid IOL in football and a MLB who has some limitations (though honestly, I think the league is coming TOWARDS his play style, not away from it), so be it.

If that money is reallocated to pass catchers and/or OT, then that's the way it ought be done.

Coming around to this but I would think that using that money on a good pass rusher is needed along with OT and pass catchers

[Sassy Squatch]

Yeah, **** all that. If Smith wants to be the highest paid G in the NFL let him do it elsewhere.

[RunKC]

Well we most certainly are not losing Thuney and Trey in the same offseason. That’s why I think something will be worked out with Thuney to lower that cap hit.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

You can't make him highest paid. It's too much with the highest paid center already.

I said all along, if he wants to take the same deal Creed got, hell yeah. If you want the extra few million a year which he has earned, go for it.

But don't bitch when it's another L'Jarius Sneed situation and football isn't fun anymore.

[Palangi]

Personally I think Kingsley should be the replacement for Smith. Kingsley is very athletic running forward out going lateral. But he really struggles going backwards/kick stepping. As a guard he wouldn’t have to worry about this as much. At 6’5” 326 he brings quality size and strength to the guard spot too. Very similar to Smith but more athletic.

We would definitely need to bring in a tackle next year whether it’s the draft or free agency. But Morris coming back gives us an option and swing tackle at worst. Ethan Driskell is a guy the coaches are very high on and talked about needing to add weight and strength. Maybe he is an option next year?

[Woogieman]

Originally Posted by Palangi

Personally I think Kingsley should be the replacement for Smith. Kingsley is very athletic running forward out going lateral. But he really struggles going backwards/kick stepping. As a guard he wouldn’t have to worry about this as much. At 6’5” 326 he brings quality size and strength to the guard spot too. Very similar to Smith but more athletic.

We would definitely need to bring in a tackle next year whether it’s the draft or free agency. But Morris coming back gives us an option and swing tackle at worst. Ethan Driskell is a guy the coaches are very high on and talked about needing to add weight and strength. Maybe he is an option next year?

I was wondering if he could make that transition...I have no idea and you hate to have drafted an OG in the 1st, but it beats drafting a swing tackle in the first.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

I'd hate to see us pay Bolton anything north of $15m AAV and I consider myself a Bolton truther.

But there's just too many games where a team's scheme totally ****s him up. On the flip side, some schemes he seems to totally dominate.

If you pay him, it's obviously because Spags thinks he brings an intangible value that can't be replaced in an offseason. Like wasn't it the Super Bowl or AFCCG when Spags said he made a check to some play and it was a critically good outcome? I think the McDuffie pressure against Purdy. IDK, but that staff happens.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Trey is probably gonna turn into a 3rd round comp pick in 2026.

Those come in handy as you turn this thing over post-2022 draft class.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Smith at a 'discount' is still $18 million.

There's just not a happy ending to be found here, IMO.

I think we just have to continue to churn and burn on the IOL. We have an anchor tenant there now and a guy who re-set the salary market (by a lot) for the position. And hell, we didn't even get him signed that LONG in so doing. We paid a ton for Creed.

Earn your money, bucko. If you need 2 All-Pro caliber OGs alongside you to perform, you're a problem.

I don't think that's the case.

I think you have to presume that job is Nourzad's to lose, especially now that Morris appears to be as close to a long-term option at LT as we have. Now if we reallocate the money we could spend on Smith to a strong veteran LT, that would free Morris up to move inside where I think he'd be a real asset.

But none of 'em asked me...

Oof. Yeah. Out on 18M per.

I was thinking like ... 8. Which was always a pipedream.

Hat tip, Trey.

[Couch-Potato]

ESPN wrote about this today in their Top 2025 FAs List.

They suggested we could keep Bolton for a 3/yr $40m contract, similar to Queen’s.

That’s not too bad.