The 2021 offseason will be an important one as it relates to the roster construction of the Kansas City Chiefs for the next several seasons.
Beyond the number of pending free agents this year, Brett Veach and his staff will also be looking toward the 2022 season and planning for the future. There are currently a number of players who are in a contract year in 2021. The final year of their contract is typically a motivator for peak performance, meaning the Chiefs might think to extend some of these players now. It also means Kansas City will need to have a plan in place to replace these players if they’re unable to or don’t want to extend them. Some of the players could even be released as salary cap casualties this offseason.
Here’s a quick look at the 13 Chiefs players who are in a contract year in 2021:
LT Eric Fisher
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during…
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
Oct 17, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) in the…
Oct 17, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
RT Mitchell Schwartz
Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Mitchell Schwartz (71) looks to…
Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Mitchell Schwartz (71) looks to block against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
DB Tyrann Mathieu
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in the…
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LS James Winchester
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: James Winchester #41 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in Super…
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: James Winchester #41 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
RB Damien Williams
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in the…
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts in the first quarter of Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
DT Derrick Nnadi
Jan 12, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) celebrates…
Jan 12, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) celebrates against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
OL Martinas Rankin
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Martinas Rankin (74) during the second half of an NFL football…
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Martinas Rankin (74) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
LB Dorian O’Daniel
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 09: linebacker Dorian O’Daniel #44 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates…
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 09: linebacker Dorian O’Daniel #44 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-24 in overtime to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
QB Chad Henne
Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne (4) throws against…
Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne (4) throws against the Cleveland Browns during the second half in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
DB Armani Watts
Kansas City Chiefs safety Armani Watts (23) carries the ball against the Houston Texans in the…
Kansas City Chiefs safety Armani Watts (23) carries the ball against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
LB Darius Harris
Atlanta Falcons Luke Stocker dives to tackle Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Darius Harris (47) after he…
Atlanta Falcons Luke Stocker dives to tackle Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Darius Harris (47) after he recovered a fumble by Falcons Brandon Powell during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
DE Tim Ward
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tim Ward (90) battles Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Storm Norton…
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tim Ward (90) battles Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Storm Norton (74) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)