The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to shed some payroll on defense by shopping Justin Houston and Dee Ford in trade talks, and they are reportedly planning to use some (or a lot) of that money on star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Hill and the Chiefs have been engaging in contract talks for what would be a “record-setting deal.”
While the #Chiefs plot moves for the 2019 season and beyond, they do have some big deals coming: They have begun negotiations with star WR Tyreek Hill on what’ll be a record-setting deal, source said. Along with tagging Dee Ford, shopping Justin Houston, that’s a consideration.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2019
The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Ford this week but are reportedly looking to trade him, and they also want to part ways with Houston. The latter carries a salary cap hit of $21.1 million for 2019.
Hill posted career highs across the board in his third NFL season with 87 catches, 1,479 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the NFL, and he enjoyed instant chemistry with Patrick Mahomes last season.
Hill, a former fifth-round pick who had serious off-field red flags when he came into the league, is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He’s set to make just over $2 million between base salary and bonuses, but it sounds like he has a good chance of shattering that number.
