Kansas City radio station 610 KCSP is reporting the Kansas City Chiefs will let left tackle Branden Albert, their franchise player in 2013, become an unrestricted free agent as opposed to signing him to a long-term contract.
That wouldn't be a surprising move. We've already told this is going to be a different type of offseason for the Chiefs. For a change, they won't have much wiggle room under the salary cap and have possible replacements lined up and already on their roster for four of their main free agents: Albert, wide receiver/punt returner Dexter McCluster, defensive end Tyson Jackson and free safety Kendrick Lewis.
In a recent interview with KCSP, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt wasn't speaking specifically about these players, but alluded to some roster upheaval.
"In the NFL today, it's constantly a building process," Hunt said. "You can count on over 20 percent of your roster turning over in any year. That's just life in the National Football League. We'll be looking to get better. Part of that will be through free agency and a big part of it will be through the draft."
The Chiefs began preparing to lose Albert on the April day last year they selected another tackle, Eric Fisher, with the first pick in the draft. The Chiefs have Fisher and Donald Stephenson to play tackle and won't have room under their salary cap to re-sign Albert at a big price.
The same may ultimately hold true for McCluster, Jackson and Lewis as well.