Chiefs headlines for Saturday, March 1

Chiefs can open ample salary-cap space with four moves | Kansas City Star

Convert quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ roster bonus to a signing bonus (savings of $25.8 million)

Convert defensive lineman Chris Jones’ roster bonus to a signing bonus (savings of $12 million)

Convert Kelce’s roster bonus to a signing bonus (savings of $10 million)

Extend guard Joe Thuney’s contract to two years, $40 million with a $20 million bonus (savings of $10 million)

One Word to Describe Every NFL Team’s Franchise Player | Bleacher Report

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Unsupported — It’s a sad reality now, but he doesn’t have the weapons or the protection he once had, and it’s about to get a whole lot worse with Trey Smith and practically his entire pass-catching corps potentially on the way out this offseason.

Isaiah Bond says he’ll break Xavier Worthy’s record time at combine | ESPN

If Isaiah Bond is correct, Xavier Worthy’s record 40-yard dash time at the NFL scouting combine will last just one season but remain with Texas.

Last year, Worthy, a former Longhorn, ran a 4.21-second 40 and was eventually a first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs. Bond, who played last season at Texas after starting at Alabama, will run Saturday.

“I’m going to break the record tomorrow, for sure,” Bond said Friday. “I anticipate running 4.20 or possibly, if I’m feeling great, I might run a 4.1.”

Grading every NFL team’s 2024 rookie class after Year 1: First-year players dominate for NFC East clubs | CBS Sports

22. Kansas City Chiefs

Grade: C-

Year 1 hit: WR Xavier Worthy

In one of the most glaring reminders that speed doesn’t correlate directly to yards per reception, Worthy only averaged 10.8 yards per snag in Year 1 yet did catch 59 passes for more than 600 yards and had a productive performance in the playoffs.

Around the NFL

Shedeur Sanders states case to be No. 1 pick: ‘I know what I bring to the table’ | FOX Sports

Adorned in diamond-studded jewelry and donning a black baseball cap turned backward, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared at ease answering questions in front of a huge media group at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.

“How’s everybody doing?” said a smiling Sanders as he took the podium. “Legendary, legendary.”

Sanders covered a wide range of topics during the 15 or so minutes he took questions. Among them: Does he believe he’s the best quarterback in this year’s draft?

“Of course,” said Sanders. “Now, I respect a lot of quarterbacks here. They’ve put a lot of hard work in to get to this point, so kudos to them. It’s truly respect, but I know what I bring to the table.”

Matthew Stafford heading back to Rams for fifth season in Los Angeles | NFL.com

The Rams last week gave Stafford’s camp permission to talk to other teams about his value and gauge any trade options.

Rapoport noted that after talks with the Raiders and Giants, Stafford ended up taking less than he would’ve gotten elsewhere to stay in L.A., per sources.

In layperson’s terms, the Rams got others to set the market and convinced Stafford not to uproot his family again by taking slightly less money.

Terms of the deal have not yet been reported.

Things had tilted toward Stafford staying in L.A. the past few days. Given the clubs he’d spoken to, the Rams give the 37-year-old the best chance to chase a second Super Bowl ring. The idea that the veteran might not want to move his family also became a talking point in recent days.

Predicting the Outcome for Each NFL Team’s Top Free Agent | SI

Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack, edge

Prediction: Leaves for one-year deal

Mack might be 34 years old, but he’s still productive. After recording an obscene 17 sacks in 2023, that number went down to six last season. Still, his 15 quarterback hits show he’s a solid pass rusher who will get offers from teams looking to bolster their edge play. Obviously, this is a one-year play for every team going forward.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Roster: NFL reveals fifth-year numbers for McDuffie, Karlaftis

And fifth-year option numbers for first-round picks in 2022 NFL Draft — a list that includes Aidan Hutchinson, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Smith, Tyler Lindenbaum and Jermaine Johnson, among others.

Clubs have until May 2 to exercise the option. pic.twitter.com/YLb3jcszlJ

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025

Although McDuffie earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and second-team honors in 2024, he has not been named to a Pro Bowl. Karlaftis has neither been named an All-Pro nor received a Pro Bowl nod.

Both McDuffie and Karlaftis thus fall into the second category. As relayed by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, McDuffie’s number for 2026 would be $13.6 million — and Karlaftis’ would be $15.2 million.

The Chiefs have until May 1 to activate the options. Considering their importance, it seems likely Kansas City would take advantage of the option for both McDuffie and Karlaftis.

Social media to make you think

They grow up so fast 🥹 @XavierWorthy pic.twitter.com/8tnqB8f1pT

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 28, 2025