The Chiefs Should Convince Darqueze Dennard to Sign One-Year Deal to Play for Super Bowl Favorites
The Kansas City Chiefs just won a Super Bowl and are the early favorites to win it all again next season. Patrick Mahomes and the KC offense are the main reason why that is the case; however, the team runs the risk of faltering on the big stage if key upgrades aren't made on defense.
The secondary is a unit of some concern after Kendall Fuller went back to the Washington Redskins. Bashaud Breeland is still unsigned, which leaves Charvarius Ward as the best cornerback currently under contract at Arrowhead. With that in mind, one move the Chiefs should make is to give Darqueze Dennard a call about joining the team on a one-year deal in order to chase a Super Bowl title. He already considered the team last offseason, and the fit makes sense.
FA CB Darqueze Dennard has the #Bengals, #Chiefs and one other team still in the mix. Cincy has been engaged throughout. Sounds like today could be decision day. https://t.co/LgcZGgfLa0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2019
At that time, Dennard instead opted to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals. He may now be regretting that decision after the way the 2019 campaign went. The former first-round pick dealt with injuries and only appeared in nine games for a terrible Bengals team that finished dead last in the NFL.
He could get a fresh start in 2020 with the Chiefs on a one-year contract that works out for both sides.
Good morning. It's April and the Chiefs still desperately need a cornerback.
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 4, 2020
The Chiefs would be getting a corner who has something to prove after putting up just three interceptions in five seasons in Cincy. A change of scenery and less pressure to live up to his first-round potential on an island could help Dennard.
Kansas City has just over $3 million in cap space. Dennard signed a $4.5 million one-year deal with the Bengals in 2019, and something a bit lower than that number could work for the Chiefs if they can paint the right picture for Dennard about just how far the 2020 version of the team can go.
It is possible Dennard lacked motivation with a Bengals squad that has been terrible for most of his tenure in the league, and that would absolutely not be the case on a Chiefs team contending for a Super Bowl. The next step? Adding another corner or two to ensure Dennard is part of the rotation rather than a focal point. Breeland is the main target, and the Chiefs could add another first-round corner in this year's draft. At that point, they'll be feeling a lot better about matters at the back of the defense.