Chiefs announce they have exercised the fifth-year option on Dee Ford. The outside linebacker will be under team control through 2018. 
[RELATED: 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]
Ford was selected No. 23 overall in 2014 after being named First-Team All-SEC at Auburn and garnering MVP awards at the Senior Bowl. Ford didn’t do much in his first two seasons, but he broke out last year as Justin Houston missed the majority of the season. In 15 games (14 starts), Ford racked up 38 total tackles and 10 sacks.
Per the rules of the fifth-year option for first round picks, Ford’s 2018 season will be guaranteed for injury only. If he remains on the roster, he’ll earn $8.718MM in that season. For 2017, he’s slated to carry a $2.596MM cap figure.