Insider Delivers 1-Word Reason Ex-Chiefs Starter Remains Unsigned
The Kansas City Chiefs are working to retain numerous key players to make a legit run at a Super Bowl three-peat. After re-signing Chris Jones to a five-year, $158.57 million extension, however, that task became way more difficult.
As it stands, the Chiefs former starting offensive tackle, Donovan Smith, remains a free agent. After eight seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City signed Smith to a one-year, $3 million deal last May.
While Smith missed a slew of games due to a neck injury, ESPN insider Bill Barnwell says that’s not the main reason the veteran remains a free agent.
“Penalties,” Barnwell wrote.
“Smith has 29 over the last four seasons, which ties him for the third-most of any player. No. 1 is former Chiefs teammate and fellow tackle Jawaan Taylor, so that should be proof that penalties alone can’t keep players from winning a Super Bowl. Smith is 30 and missed the final five games of the regular season with a neck injury before returning in the postseason, so there might be some medical concerns around him as well.”
