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After a season without a single touchdown reception from a wide receiver, the Kansas City Chiefs’ had a clear No. 1 priority this offseason. Two days before free agency signings can become official, the Chiefs appear set to accomplish their goal of adding a premier wide receiver. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Jeremy Maclin will sign with Kansas City once free agency begins on Tuesday.
The Eagles’ wild ride will continue: Jeremy Maclin plans to reunite with Andy Reid in Kansas City once free agent market opens Tuesday.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 9, 2015
Kansas City is up against the cap and will need to clear some cap space in order to add Maclin to the roster. Eight-year Chiefs veteran receiver Dwayne Bowe was already rumored to be released and it now logically appears as if the door has finally closed on Bowe’s career with Kansas City.
In a free agent class that was expected to be loaded at the position, Maclin was the best remaining wide receiver left after Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, and Randall Cobb were brought back by their teams. Maclin put up career highs in every major category in 2014 as the Philadelphia Eagles No. 1 receiver, with 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Maclin should bring much-needed balance to the Chiefs offense. Running backs Jamaal Charles and Kniles Davis led the NFL’s tenth-best rushing attack, while the Chiefs averaged the fourth-fewest passing yards per game in the league. Maclin’s greatest strength is stretching the defense with his speed and gaining big chunks of yards in the process. Kansas city had only three passing plays go for over 40 yards from all their players combined in the 2014 season. Maclin had seven such plays himself.
Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. Add him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @Seth_Lassen.
