The Kansas City Chiefs continue to make headlines as new Head Coach Andy Reid continues to rebuild a Chief’s organization that was just (2-14) a season ago.
After recently acquiring Alex Smith in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, Reid showed his good faith by rewarding his best in-house target.
Bowe, a former first round pick of the Chiefs in 2007, was on vacation when he got “the call that changed [his] life.” The deal, reportedly worth $56 million ($26 million guaranteed, $15 signing bonus) over five seasons, will make the Kansas City wide out the third highest paid receiver behind only Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Though don’t get accustomed to this with Jennings, Welker, and Wallace still on the open market.
While fans will point to Bowe’s lack of production, keep in mind that in the last three years he ranks ninth in touchdowns and 12th in catches and yards among all NFL receivers. Though D-Bowe’s stats are not on par with the Megatron’s and Larry Fitzgerald’s of the NFL, keep in mind the list of guys throwing him the ball.
Here is a list of the starting quarterbacks since Bowe’s arrival in Kansas City in 2007: Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko, Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.
Ouch.
Bowe’s payday, though a tad much, is well-deserved nonetheless. He is only one catch, 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns from the franchise records for receivers to wear the Chiefs uniform. He is also only 28 years old and very much in the prime of his career. Giving Alex Smith a steady receiver like Bowe will only improve on the dismal record from last season.
In a related story, the team also used the Franchise Tag on Brandon Albert to keep the star lineman in town. Having a player to keep Alex Smith upright, a runner in Jamaal Charles, and a play-making receiver in Bowe all bode well for Reid’s team in 2013. With an improving defensive unit in place and cap room to spare, things are looking up in KC.
The only people happier about the Dwayne Bowe deal than Bow himself, are Mike Wallace, Greg Jennings, and Wes Welker. All of the soon-to-be free agents should command as much, if not more money for their services. Expect these premium free-agents to use Bowe’s contract as a starting point when free agency kicks off in exactly one week.
