KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs hold an option to bring back linebacker Dee Ford for the 2018 season, but the team has yet to indicate what direction they will go with the pass-rushing specialist.
Dec. 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs linebackers Dee Ford (55) and Tamba Hali (91) celebrate after Ford sacked San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers at Arrowhead Stadium. (Emily DeShazer/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
General manager John Dorsey did not tip his hand on which direction he leaned during his press conference discussing the upcoming NFL draft.
“We don’t have to address that until the first week of May,” Dorsey said.
The Chiefs have until May 3 to execute the fifth-year option as part of Ford’s rookie contract. The option carries a value of approximately $9.95 million according to numbers compiled by ChiefsDigest.com.
Dorsey did seem to suggest Ford had done enough to justify a pick up of the option.
“You have to see if he has contributed enough to do that and made an impact,” Dorsey said. “And I thought last year he did a great job.”
The Chiefs can also choose to negotiate a long-term deal with Ford, either before or after the fifth-year option deadline.
Last year the Chiefs exercised the option on tackle Eric Fisher one day before the deadline. The team later signed Fisher to a long-term extension at the opening of training camp.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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