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| Tuesday, February 25 AFC West: Free agency breakdown Pro Football Weekly |
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Each team's capsule contains a list of players who are scheduled to become free agents on March 1. Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are players who have accrued four or more NFL seasons and are free to sign with any team unless given a franchise or transition tag. Restricted free agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons. The player's current team has a right of first refusal on offers from other teams. If the team chooses to let a restricted free agent leave by opting to not match an offer, the team will receive draft-choice compensation from the player's new team. Exclusive-rights free agents are players who have fewer than three accrued seasons. They do not have the right to change teams if they are offered a contract from their current club.
Denver Broncos
 Analysis: Even after cutting linebacker Bill Romanowski and defensive tackle Leon Lett loose and
the retirement of fullback Howard Griffith, the Broncos still found themselves
roughly $6.5 million over the salary cap, so more trimming is expected. The
restructuring of some healthy contracts, such as that of running back Terrell Davis,
will free up some much-needed cash in the next few months. Veterans Frerotte
and Eric Davis probably will head to the open market in hopes of finding
more playing time elsewhere, while the Broncos undoubtedly will let Brown
pursue other options. The Broncos would like to bring Teague back, but
they're not completely sold on him as their future left tackle. Elam was
tabbed with the franchise tag at the end of February for insurance reasons.
Gary could be the wild card of this bunch because he is believed to be on
the trading block. Despite a lack of money to dole out, the Broncos could
use some help at wide receiver, defensive end, fullback and safety, as well
as some depth at linebacker.
Kansas City Chiefs
 Analysis: Tony Gonzalez was slapped with the team's franchise tag, so he's
guaranteed to be around for at least one more year, but the Chiefs would
love for it to be for longer than that. They view Warfield as a guy they
need to keep around but would also like to make an addition or two to the cormerback
lot they have now. Other points of interest in free agency will be at wide
receiver and defensive tackle, although the latter figures to be addressed
with their first-round pick. The Chiefs are fond of several free-agent
wideouts, including Az-Zahir Hakim, who would seem to be a good fit for the
team's new offensive system. The Chiefs gained some salary-cap relief with
the re-signing of middle linebacker Marvcus Patton and will get some more after the
expected release of wide receiver Derrick Alexander. Even with the added flexibility,
they may not be able to bring back both Spears and Riley, especially if
valuable linebacker Donnie Edwards voids his contract as expected. The Chiefs
certainly won't break the bank to bring Peterson back, and he's expected to
have competition for the kicker job in training camp even if he returns.
Oakland Raiders
 Analysis: At press time, the Raiders found themselves well over the salary
cap, but they will be helped in that department by the expected release of
high-priced and currently suspended defensive tackle Darrell Russell and the possible
release of linebacker Elijah Alexander. Keeping Jackson's services is the major
priority, especially considering the fact Russell won't be at his side.
Jackson is expected to test the market, but the Raiders will do their best
to give him what he's earned. Taves failed to produce when given the
opportunity and isn't likely to be asked back, but Harris, who claimed the
starting strong safety role from Marquez Pope, was huge down the stretch and will be
compensated for it. After the offseason spending spree that included the
signings of Trace Armstrong, Jerry Rice and Charlie Garner last year, the
Raiders won't have much to spend this summer. Raiders senior assistant Bruce
Allens is one of the best in the business in terms of working with the
salary cap, and the team already has begun looking into restructuring the
contracts of veterans such as offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy.
San Diego Chargers
 Analysis: The Chargers would like to have both the durable John Parrella and the
versatile Kendyl Jacox back, but at presstime, both sides were not even close to
closing on a deal in either case. The Chargers were able to re-sign wide receiver Tim
Dwight before the start of the free-agent signing period, but they still
will look to add another playmaker or two at wide receiver because Jeff
Graham is expected to be released in a cost-cutting move. Dixon, the team's
starter at strong-side linebacker, and Holocek, the former Bill, are
doubtful to return. The Chargers are in dire need of an upgrade in talent on
the offensive line and some added depth at cornerback. The offensive line
potentially could go into next season without three starters (Graham,
Roundtree and Jacox) from last year's starting offensive line, and a fourth
(Fortin) who would have started if not for a knee injury. They also could
stand to get younger and faster at linebacker. One question that remains is
how the Chargers plan to handle their kicking dilemma between the inconsistent
Wade Richey and Christie, an unrestricted free agent.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
