The Kansas City Chiefs took some big steps towards 2013 on Monday, signing wideout Dwayne Bowe and tagging offensive left tackle Brandon Albert, ensuring that they will keep the star lineman and receiver on the team together for at least one year.
According to ESPN.com, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that Chiefs reached an agreement with Bowe on a five-year contract and the team also signed punter Dustiin Colquitt to a deal of the same length, ensuring that they could use the tag on Albert instead of the punter.
Head coach Andy Reid is building up the team for a run over the next few years and now both Colquitt and Bowe will be part of it, with Albert likely being signed later down the line. Bowe tweeted about the news after the contract.
"On vacation till I got the call that changed my life. I wanna thank the Hunt Family & the Chiefs organization," he wrote.
Colquitt is now the highest-paid punter in the NFL, signing a $18.75 million deal for five years, which includes $8.9 million guaranteed, according to a league source. The team announced the extension but did not mention any terms on the contract deal.
"John and I knew right away that we'd like to keep Dustin in a Chiefs uniform," coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "He's worked hard at his craft and has become one of the best punters in the NFL. He's got a strong leg and the ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. We are happy we were able to come to an agreement."
The team is planning to sign Albert long-term, as they see him as one of the top lineman in the league. The team drafted him 15th overall in 2008 and he has been a stalwart with the team since then. The 28-year-old has started 71 games with the Chiefs.
"Today was the league's deadline to designate a franchise player and we felt it was in the best interest of the Kansas City Chiefs to place the tag on Branden," general manager John Dorsey said in a statement announcing the move. "We will continue to negotiate with Branden and his agent to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial. We are looking forward to working with Branden in the near future."
Bowe is one of the top playmakers on the team with Jamaal Charles and although he was injured last season in December, he still made 59 catches for 801 yards and three touchdown receptions after making $9.5 million on a franchise tag deal. Over his six years in the NFL he has made 415 receptions for 5,728 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Colquitt has been one of the most consistent punters in the NFL and he made the Pro Bowl last season after falling just short of the NFL record for punts made within the opponent's 20-yard line. The Chiefs now have secured their three biggest priorities in free agency and now have a quarterback after making the Alex Smith deal.
The team still has the number one overall pick in the draft and is now set to make more moves of they like, including possibly acquiring Tim Tebow. The team is expected to release quarterback Matt Cassel and they could use someone as a backup. Reid could use Tebow in special situations and try to work him into the offense like he did with Michael Vick when he first signed with the Eagles.
The new regime of Reid and GM John Dorsey have shown that they are ready to move on from the 2-14 record the team had last year and now that their top playmaker is on the team it gives Smith someone to truly work with on offense.
