Kansas City Chiefs Fined For Tampering, Lose Draft Picks
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially been fined by the NFL for tampering in last year’s free agency period. The Chiefs violated the NFL’s anti-tampering policy with former free agent Jeremy Maclin. Members of the Chiefs’ organization were fined thousands of dollars. In addition to being fined heavily, the Chiefs lost multiple draft picks.
According to Adam Teicher of ESPN, the Chiefs will lose their third round draft pick this year and a sixth round pick in 2017. Coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000 and general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000. The organization as a whole was fined $250,000.
It’s clear now that Reid wanted Maclin bad enough that he was willing to break the rules. Maclin did mange to revive the Chiefs’ slow passing game and make quarterback Alex Smith shine.
Maclin was a much needed addition to the Chiefs’ lackluster offense. His worth was proven when he became the first Chiefs wide receiver to catch a touchdown pass in 659 days at the beginning of the 2015 season. Maclin was not with the Chiefs for a the majority of the touchdown drought.
The NFL has a period where teams cannot contact a player directly, which takes place before the official signing period. The Chiefs proceeded to break that rule by contacting Maclin instead of his agent.
Multiple reports claimed that the Chiefs will appeal this decision, but the odds are not in their favor. The chairman and CEO of the Chiefs, Clark Hunt, released a statement on the matter.
“Today we were informed by the National Football League that our club will be disciplined for an infraction during the 2015 free agency negotiating period.”
“While we respect Commissioner Goodell and the process, we believe that the penalties proposed in this case are inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar matters – particularly given the league’s inconsistent communication of its policies on contact with potential free agents.”
“As an organization, we take great care to conduct ourselves with integrity and operate within the guidelines of the NFL. We have been fully cooperative and transparent with the league in this matter, and we are disappointed with the league’s decision. I want to make it clear that I fully support the leadership of both Coach Reid and John Dorsey. We will continue to explore our options under the appeal process.”
Reid and Maclin have worked together since the beginning of Maclin’s NFL career. Reid drafted Maclin in the 2009 NFL draft and helped develop him into the player that he is today.
Maclin’s contract is now worth $55 million over five years.
Since adding Maclin, the Chiefs did not really have an issue with the wide receiver position anymore. He went on to have a great season. He made a position on the Chiefs’ offense that was not relevant matter again.
This season, Maclin caught 87 receptions for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns. Reid obviously new what he has in Maclin.
The Chiefs now have seven draft picks if this fine is upheld. Losing a third round pick is a huge blow to the organization. You can find a major talent in the NFL in any round, but a third round choice obviously increases the chances of that happening.
Arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, Joe Montana was chosen in the third round of the NFL draft. Ironically, he had a brief stint with the Chiefs before he decided to call it a career.
The Chiefs are in a position where they can’t afford to lose draft picks. Their secondary is dwindling and they need some insurance for Jamaal Charles. They boasted a record of 11-5 in 2015, but that could easily flip with a couple of decisions like this.
[Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images]
