The Chiefs have made a cost-cutting move on defense. Per a team announcement, they are releasing veteran linebacker Anthony Hitchens. 
“When I first became general manager, one of the first moves I wanted to make was to bring in Anthony Hitchens”, said Brett Veach. “We knew how intelligent, hard working and consistent he was as a player, and we knew he’d become a selfless leader. He was that and more. He has all the intangibles and was an integral piece in our franchise winning a Super Bowl title. We appreciate everything he’s done for the organization and wish him the best as he continues his career”.
Head coach Andy Reid added: “I really enjoyed the opportunity to coach Anthony over the last four years. He’s as tough as they come in this league and is a team-first player. I appreciate the way he came to work… but also his willingness to teach the younger guys around him”.
Hitchens was scheduled to have a base salary of $7.8MM in 2022, the final year of his contract. His cap hit, however, would have been just over $12.6MM. The move saves the Chiefs more than $8.4MM, nearly tripling the cap space the team had prior to today.
The 29-year-old signed a five year, $45MM deal with Kansas City in 2018. That came after four seasons in Dallas, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Iowa. He flashed plenty of potential with the Cowboys despite only playing a full season once. His inaugural campaign in Kansas City saw him record a career-best 135 tackles, including seven for a loss, along with two QB hits and one forced fumble. In the proceeding years, he proved to be a consistent presence in the middle of the defense, albeit with a reduced snap count.
With fellow linebacker Ben Niemann a pending free agent, this move opens the door to Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton taking on even more responsibility moving forward. Second round picks from the past two drafts, Bolton in particular has shown he is capable of a larger workload in the future. Linebacker could, of course, also be a position of focus in the coming weeks as well as the draft.
Hitchens has been with the Chiefs for four years and you use a photo of him as a Dallas Cowboy. Couldn’t find one as chief over the last 4 years. That’s sad.
Maybe predicting he’s going back to Dallas.
They’re being polite by using a picture from the last time he was good.
They cut one of their few non-felons.
When are the going to cut Frank “ The felon gun toter” Clark
I’m guessing June 2, 2022.
“According to Over the Cap, if Clark was released before June 1st, he would save the Chiefs about $12.7 million against the cap. If he is cut post-June 1st, $19.5 million. While fans are quick to point out that he may take a pay cut to stay in Kansas City, they are fooling themselves. It is extremely rare for a player to take a pay cut in the middle of a lucrative contract. The only way out would be to cut ties with Clark. Any other “money saver” is simply not realistic.”