KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs are less than 24 hours from the start of the new calendar year, and more importantly the start of the free agency period.
While Monday brought a report of a re-signing, no other moves occurred with the Chiefs players scheduled to enter the market at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Here’s the latest from Monday’s news cycle:
Zombo set to return
The Chiefs agreed to terms with outside linebacker Frank Zombo, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 reports:
Chiefs will retain LB Frank Zombo. He’s agreed to terms, per a source.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2014
As of Monday evening, the Chiefs haven’t confirmed the signing.
Moreover, attempts to reach Zombo’s agent to confirm the transaction were unsuccessful.
McCluster to test market
Wide receiver/punt returner Dexter McCluster is unlikely to return, Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports:
A league source tells me WR Dexter McCluster will not be returning to KC. He has 4-5 suitors and will likely sign Tuesday night. #Chiefs — Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 10, 2014
McCluster turned his contract year into a Pro Bowl season where he was also named a second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press.
The Chiefs in recent months since the end of the regular season have signed some insurance in the event McCluster leaves. Running back Joe McKnight, who signed a reserve/future deal, and former CFL wide receiver Weston Dressler, who signed a three-year deal, have special teams experience.
Both could battle for punt return duties if McCluster is no longer on the roster.
Albert to Miami
While nothing can be official until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, it looks as if left tackle Branden Albert is taking his talents to South Beach, according to NFL reporter Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports:
When the Dolphins announce their deal with T Branden Albert tomorrow, he will end up getting $10M/season. Quite a haul — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 10, 2014
Barring signing a free agent or drafting another offensive tackle, the Chiefs would enter organized team activities with Donald Stephenson and Eric Fisher as the likely starting tackles.
It remains to be seen who will line up where at this point.
Guard conundrum
Guard Geoff Schwartz will command plenty of interest as one of the top offensive linemen to hit the open market.
And Schwartz has been speculated to teams over the weekend, including the New York Giants, ArrowheadPride.com reports.
On Monday, toss the St. Louis Rams into the hat as a potential suitor for Schwartz’s services, Rams beat writer Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports:
Plan B underway minus Saffold? Rams showing interest in KC offensive guard Geoff Schwartz, according to league sources. — Jim Thomas (@jthom1) March 10, 2014
Meanwhile, fellow guard Jon Asamoah is also drawing interest from New York, but with the Jets, per the ArrowheadPride.com link.
Asamoah has also been linked to the Atlanta Falcons where former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who drafted Asamoah, is currently Atlanta’s assistant general manager.
ESPN NFL Nation reporter Adam Caplan offered insight on the likelihood of Asamoah reuniting with Pioli:
On G Jon Asamoah and the #Falcons, 1 NFL source said it would be a “small upset” if he didn’t wind up signing w/ATL to play RG. — Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 10, 2014
Williams on radars
Despite returning from an ACL injury, wide receiver/returner Kyle Williams is drawing interest from at least five teams, according to a source:
Source tells me Chiefs WR/returner Kyle Williams, scheduled UFA tomorrow, is drawing interest from at least five teams. — Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) March 10, 2014
The Chiefs claimed Williams off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11, only to place him on injured reserve a week later after he suffered a partial ACL tear during practice.
Williams, who underwent treatment with Dr. James Andrews, runs a sub 4.4 40-yard dash when healthy.
Williams is expected to be ready for the regular season, the source said.
Demps tweets hope
Free safety/returner Quintin Demps expressed Monday his hope of a return to Kansas City on Twitter:
Well Chiefs Fans hit the open market in 24hrs! Well see…don’t no what future holds but I HOPE I know… http://t.co/BvHrS3A0aL — Q (@QDemps) March 10, 2014
Demps also told ChiefsSpin.com last week he hoped to return to the Chiefs.
“It would mean they wanted me,” Demps said of a potential re-signing. “It would mean a lot, playing with some guys on the team I thought were a great group of guys in the locker room and I love playing for Andy (Reid). It would mean a lot.”
Demps and Reid have history with two teams – the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-09) and last year with the Chiefs.
Jordan drawing interest from six teams
Inside linebacker Akeem Jordan, who appeared in all 16 regular season games with 10 starts, is commanding league interest, per two reporters:
Saw @RavensInsider’s report that there are about 6 teams interested in #Chiefs LB Akeem Jordan. A league source told me the same.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 10, 2014
Jordan has ties to current Chiefs coach Andy Reid, having joined the team as a free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Given their long history, it wouldn’t surprise to see the Chiefs try to keep Jordan, a seventh-year pro out of James Madison.
All is quiet
No news surfaced Monday on free safeties Husain Abdullah and Kendrick Lewis, and defensive end Tyson Jackson.
Jackson and Lewis were starters last season, while Abdullah was a special teams ace.
