Kansas City Chiefs start offseason the right way

The Kansas City Chiefs had themselves a great year without the services of running back Jammal Charles for much of the season. So one could imagine just how good the team is going to be with him coming back to play with that defense and quarterback Alex Smith. But in order for it to be that simple, the Chiefs have to bring back their good free agents.

And on Friday, the Chiefs started their offseason the right way by re-signing tight end Travis Kelce. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Kelce’s deal is $46 million over five years with $20.5 million in guaranteed. It also includes a $10-million signing bonus and will make Kelce the 2nd-highest paid tight end in the NFL.

Due to enter the final year of his rookie contract coming in, Kelce is now a Chief through 2021. Kelce earned the contract by having back-to-back seasons with at least 850 receiving yards. And it only makes sense that the man they call “Baby Gronk” is the 2nd-highest paid tight end behind the real Gronk (Rob Gronkowski).

When in comes to being a weapon in the passing game, Kelce isn’t so far behind Gronkowski. It’s the All-Pro’s a blocking red-zone efficiency that separates him from the 1st-time Pro Bowler. But Kelce does have a slight edge in speed and elusiveness in the open field, making him a better yards after the catch threat.

Kelce is the only tight end with more yards after the catch than Gronkowski over the past two seasons. So the Chiefs were smart to not even allow Kelce to see what he could get on the free agent market. With Charles back, Smith will have Maclin and now Kelce back as his triplets for 2016.

Good move Chiefs!