Though plenty can change between now and January, the AFC, as presently constructed, appears to be a two-horse race with the Chiefs and Bills emerging as early frontrunners to represent the conference in Super Bowl LVII. Buffalo got the better of Kansas City in Sunday’s thriller at Arrowhead, suggesting this may finally be the Bills’ year. Kansas City, it should be noted, lost to Buffalo in the regular season last year as well, only for the Chiefs to exact their revenge in the playoffs with a come-from-behind, overtime win that had all the makings of an instant classic. That said, if Kansas City is at all concerned about Buffalo supplanting them as the team to beat, it wouldn’t hurt to load up for their inevitable rematch in January, looking to exploit any and all market inefficiencies in pursuit of an elusive Lombardi Trophy.
The Chiefs may have already tipped their hand, teasing a roster move by restructuring Travis Kelce’s contract, freeing up over $3 million in cap space by converting his salary into a signing bonus. “My agent just hit me up and said they wanted to free up some cap space,” said Kelce of his negotiations, receiving a $4.6-million check to cover his remaining base salary for 2022. “So I was like, ‘I get the money now?’ Alright.”
Appearing on his podcast “New Heights” with his cohost, longtime Eagles center Jason Kelce (who also happens to be his older brother), Kelce addressed rumors that his contract restructure was a precursor to Kansas City signing Odell Beckham Jr., who remains a free agent but is making steady progress in his recovery from ACL surgery, with all signs pointing to a midseason return. “I want them to come true,” said Kelce, last seen attending Monday night’s ALDS Game 5 in support of his hometown Guardians, though the series rubber match was ultimately postponed to Tuesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. “I’m not sure yet. It’s definitely a start to a move, right? Like you’re freeing up cap space to be able to do something.”
Beckham experienced some lean years in Cleveland, with many doubting he’d ever return to his past prominence. That made his overnight success in Los Angeles all the more surprising, becoming a difference-maker seemingly the second his feet touched the tarmac at LAX. Beckham was trending toward MVP status before his knee gave out on him in Super Bowl LVI, corralling two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown, his second of the playoffs and his seventh in 12 games with horns on his helmet.
“I have not heard anything in the locker room or around the facility,” Kelce admitted, in the interest of full transparency. “Something’s in the air for sure. And if it means OBJ, well alright.”
Even without Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs remain well-stocked at receiver, though adding Beckham to the fold would certainly help them in their arms race with Buffalo. Kelce’s efforts to manifest Beckham in Kansas City might already be working, with league insider Aaron Wilson regarding the Chiefs as “strong contenders” to sign the three-time Pro Bowler once healthy.
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