KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The roster overhaul of the two-time defending AFC West champions began in earnest weeks ago, when the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to trade quarterback Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins.

It began for real on Wednesday.

That’s when the new league year ushered in a flurry of moves that could finally become official, including the blockbuster deal that sent Smith to the Redskins — where he had already agreed to a new contract — for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick in this year’s draft.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Alex and what he was able to accomplish with us these past five seasons,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He put every ounce of energy into making our team better and I appreciate his leadership and how he came to work with the right attitude every day.”

The Chiefs also made official a trade of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams for a fourth-round pick this year and a second-round pick next year, and the signings of wide receiver Sammy Watkins and linebacker Anthony Hitchens to fill two of their biggest holes.

Among their own free agents, the Chiefs are bringing back fullback and special-teams standout Anthony Sherman and defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins. They also put a sixth-rounder tender on defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches and non-tendered linebacker Ramik Wilson and cornerback Keith Baxter.

The 24-year-old Watkins agreed to a $48 million, three-year deal Tuesday that includes $30 million in guarantees. Watkins spent four injury-filled years with Buffalo before spending last season with the Rams, where he managed to stay healthy enough for the Chiefs to feel comfortable signing him.

At his best, Watkins is a potent playmaker with blazing downfield speed, and he should pair nicely with Tyreek Hill to give new quarterback Patrick Mahomes II plenty of options.

Throw in the emergence of running back Kareem Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing as a rookie last season, and perennial Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs should have one of the AFC’s best offenses even after trading their Pro Bowl quarterback to Washington.

The 25-year-old Hitchens, who likewise agreed to a $45 million, five-year deal on Tuesday, should fill Derrick Johnson’s old spot at middle linebacker alongside Reggie Ragland. Hitchens was a fourth-round pick who exceeded all expectations in Dallas, earning a contract in his first free agency.

Earlier this offseason, the Chiefs parted ways with franchise tackles leader Johnson and Tamba Hali, who ranks second only to Derrick Thomas in career sacks. The veteran linebackers were let go along with safety Ron Parker, who had become a critical part of the defensive backfield — especially when star safety Eric Berry went down with a season-ending injury last year.

All of the offseason decisions, including the aggressive trades of Smith and Peters, have served two purposes for new general manager Brett Veach: get younger and save money.

The Chiefs’ rapidly aging defense was a particular concern last season, and bringing Hitchens and Fuller into the mix immediately lowers their average age. Throw in the potential rookies that they net with their new draft picks and the pieces are in place for a massively revamped unit.

“After a thorough evaluation of our roster we decided it was in the best interest for us and for Marcus to move in different directions,” Veach said of the embattled cornerback, whose immature antics rubbed many the wrong way. “We appreciate Marcus’ contributions and wish him the best of luck.”

Veach also inherited a salary cap mess from former GM John Dorsey, whose unparalleled ability to unearth talent was tempered by a dismal record in signing long-term contracts. The decision to trade Smith was a no-brainer with Mahomes waiting in the wings, as were the decisions to move on from Johnson and Hali, while the trade of Peters was made with an eye toward the future.

The money the Chiefs freed up allowed them to aggressively target Watkins and Hitchens, and thus filled two of their most pressing needs the moment free agency began.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have released one of their career sack leaders, Tamba Hali, and veteran stalwart of their secondary, Ron Parker, moves designed to help Kansas City get younger on defense and have some financial freedom for the start of free agency.

The Chiefs parted ways with longtime linebacker Hali on Monday. The move was hardly a surprise given his decreased production.

Safety Parker, who had missed just one game over the past four seasons and provided some stability when Eric Berry was injured last season, also was waived.

Hali was due a base salary of $5,750,000 this season with a salary cap hit of more than $9 million, and his release will only cost them about $1.7 million in dead money. Parker’s release saves about $5.3 million against the salary cap.

“I thank the greatest fans in the world #ChiefsKingdom for 12 incredible years,” Hali posted on Twitter. “I also want to thank the @Chiefs organization for believing in me from the beginning. All the support during my career in Kansas City has been overwhelming and KC will always be special to me.”

The Chiefs were strapped for cash heading into the offseason, necessitating moves on several fronts. They’ve already voided the contract of linebacker Derrick Johnson, their career tackles leader, to save about $8 million, and released cornerback Darrelle Revis to save $4.5 million.

They’ll save some more when the new league year begins Wednesday. That’s when the trade of Alex Smith, which his salary cap number of $17 million, to the Redskins for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a draft pick, becomes official. The Chiefs will also save a bit of money when their trade of cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams for two more draft picks becomes official.

The Chiefs only rolled over about $2.6 million in salary cap space from last season, so freeing up space to address their leaky defense — and perhaps help new quarterback Patrick Mahomes II with some offensive weapons — was of paramount importance for new general manager Brett Veach.

“You look at every situation and every position group and if it makes sense from a structural standpoint, a schematic standpoint and also a cap standpoint,” Veach said during last week’s scouting combine in Indianapolis. “And it really is just the schematic standpoint and the cap standpoint along with the age, and if you get all those things pointing in the right direction, you go that route.”

Make no mistake: The Chiefs had aged considerably on defense the past couple of years, especially in the linebacker corps, where Johnson and Hali had been the foundation for years.

Hali was the 20th overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Penn State, started every game as a rookie and never really looked back. He became a fan-favorite and went to five consecutive Pro Bowls beginning with the 2011 season, when he had 12 sacks and forced four fumbles.

He combined to add 20 more sacks over the next couple seasons, but the decline soon began for the 34-year-old pass rusher. He started just two of 16 games during the 2016 season, when knee pain caught up to him, and only appeared in five games last season after beginning the year on the PUP list.

When asked in January what his plans were for the future, Hali acknowledged he was “leaning more toward” retirement but wanted to leave the door open to returning for another season.

He has plenty of interests away from football, including a hip-hop recording company.

“Tamba has been a tremendous ambassador for our organization, both on and off the playing field,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said. “His incredible work ethic and passion for the game helped make him one of the most successful pass rushers in franchise history. Tamba will always be a part of the Chiefs family, and we sincerely appreciate his contributions to the Chiefs and the Kansas City community over the last 12 seasons.”

The 30-year-old Parker should have plenty of suitors in free agency. He made 279 tackles, seven sacks and picked off nine passes after finally getting his break with Kansas City.

“It was great playing in front of the fans in Arrowhead and with some of the best teammates,” he said on Twitter. “Now it’s time for me to move on. I look forward to this new journey and chapter.”

Parker’s age combined with his cost for next season ultimately forced his release.

“It’s kind of today’s world in the NFL,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said during the combine, when asked about their desire to get younger. “Guys change teams and move. We think we have some good young players and feel comfortable with them.”

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that the club has signed free agent cornerback David Amerson.

Amerson (6-1, 205) has played in 68 games (56 starts) in five NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders (2015-17) and Washington Redskins (2013-15). His career numbers include 249 tackles (215 solo), three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He’s recorded eight interceptions for 73 yards, returning two for touchdowns with 63 passes defensed.

The Honolulu, Hawaii, native played collegiately at North Carolina State before being drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round (51th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

— Chiefs Communications —

Derrick Johnson’s tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs is coming to an end.

The franchise’s career tackles leader and a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson will become a free agent when his contract expires at the start of the new league year March 14. He intends to keep playing, it just won’t be in the familiar red, yellow and white of the Chiefs.

“I love Kansas City and this fan base. They’ve always had my back,” Johnson said in a statement put out by the Chiefs, who made the rare decision to announce publicly that Johnson would not be returning.

That in itself speaks volumes to how much Johnson has meant to the organization.

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to spend 13 years in a place I love,” he said. “I plan on playing for several more years because I love the game so much, but I look forward to retiring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs when my career is over.”

Johnson was the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2005, though his career got off to a rocky start. At one point early on, he found himself riding the bench, and was even labeled a bust.

But Johnson eventually earned his starting job back, and went on to appear in 182 games with 169 starts. He piled up 1,262 tackles to easily shatter the franchise record, had 27½ sacks and picked off 14 passes, returning four of them for touchdowns.

He had a career-best 179 tackles in 2011, when he was voted the Chiefs’ team MVP.

“Few players in recent history have meant more to the Chiefs franchise and the Kansas City community than Derrick Johnson,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said.

“His tireless work ethic and passion for the game made him one of the most productive defensive players to ever wear a Chiefs uniform and one of the most respected players both in our locker room and around the league.

“Over the last 13 seasons, Derrick represented himself and the Chiefs organization with integrity and class, and he will always be a part of our Chiefs family.”

Johnson piled up his impressive stats despite missing part of two seasons with ruptured Achilles tendons. He returned from the first one as good as ever, earning his most recent Pro Bowl trip in 2015, but the second seemed to finally take a step out of his legs this past season.

He slowly lost playing time to younger teammates in the middle of the Kansas City defense.

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to coach a player like Derrick,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “He’s a passionate football player and a natural leader. I value the amount of quality work he put in every day for us, including teaching our younger players what it means to be a pro.

“I think he will make an incredible coach when he is done playing the game, if he chooses.”

The Chiefs have been trying to get younger the past couple of seasons, particularly on defense, and Johnson is unlikely to be the last veteran to go. Fellow linebacker Tamba Hali has been dealing with bad knees for years, and the Chiefs are expected to release him in the coming weeks.

Johnson signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension in 2016, but he had restructured the deal a year ago to help the Chiefs free up salary cap space. In doing so, he voided the final year, and that made it simple for the Chiefs to move on.

His loss will be felt not only on the field, but in the locker room and community. Johnson often served as a team spokesman, always showing up at his locker to speak with reporters regardless of whether the team was winning or losing. And the role he played in mentoring young players, such as linebackers Reggie Ragland and Ukeme Eligwe, should help the organization for years to come.

“Letting go of a player like Derrick is particularly tough because of how much respect I have for him as a player and a person,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. “He’s had a tremendous career in Kansas City and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

— Associated Press —

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas City has agreed to trade quarterback Alex Smith to Washington, a move that spells the end of Kirk Cousins’ time with the Redskins and hands the Chiefs’ job to Patrick Mahomes.

Two people with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the move to The Associated Press on Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because the transaction can’t be completed until the start of the new league year in March. One person told the AP the Redskins had agreed to a four-year extension with Smith, who had one year left on his contract.

Smith, who turns 34 in May, spent the past five seasons with the Chiefs, leading them to the playoffs four times while throwing for 102 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. He carries a $17 million salary-cap hit for 2018.

Kansas City saves cap space and can turn to Mahomes, the 10th pick in last year’s draft out of Texas Tech, as its new starter.

Smith becomes the franchise quarterback for Washington after throwing for 31,888 yards and 183 touchdowns in 12 NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and Chiefs.

The Redskins acquired Smith and signed him to the kind of long-term deal they balked at with Cousins, who became the first QB to play back-to-back seasons on the franchise tag. Cousins can become a free agent next month at age 29.

Cousins, drafted by the Redskins in the fourth round out of Michigan State in 2012 — the same year they traded up to take Robert Griffin III with the No 2 pick — likely leaves Washington with the fourth-most passing yards in franchise history, more than 16,000.

Under coach Jay Gruden, Cousins became the first Redskins QB to start all 16 games for three consecutive seasons. He threw for at least 4,000 yards in each, while totaling 81 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. But Washington only played in one playoff game during that span, going 9-7, 8-7-1 and, most recently, 7-9 in Cousins’ time as a starter.

Cousins has been the biggest question hovering over Washington’s offseason — and, indeed, hovering over the whole organization for a couple of years as the team failed to sign him to a long-term deal.

According to ESPN, Washington is sending a third-round draft and cornerback Kendall Fuller to Kansas City in the trade, which cannot be finalized until March 14. The Kansas City Star first reported the deal.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced changes to the club’s coaching staff on Monday. The team has promoted Mike Kafka to Quarterbacks Coach, Mark DeLeone to Inside Linebackers Coach, Mike Smith to Outside Linebackers Coach, Corey Matthaei to Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Joe Bleymaier to Pass Game Analyst/Assistant Quarterbacks Coach, and Terry Bradden to Defensive Quality Control Coach. The Chiefs have hired Jay Valai (defense) and David Girardi (offense) as Quality Control Coaches.

Former Assistant Head Coach Brad Childress and Special Projects Coach Tommy Brasher have informed the club they will retire. Linebackers Coach Gary Gibbs will not be returning to the team.

“The coaches we’ve elevated – Mike Kafka, Mark DeLeone, Mike Smith, Corey Matthaei, Joe Bleymaier and Terry Bradden – have each earned their opportunity to take the next step in their careers,” Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said. “I’ve watched them grow, learn, teach, and I appreciate how they have gone about the process of improving their crafts. We’ve also added Jay and David as quality control coaches. I look forward to working with them as they begin their NFL careers.

“I’d like to thank Coach Childress, Coach Brasher and Coach Gibbs for their contributions over the years. Each of them played a role in the team’s success and I wish them all the best as they move forward.”

Kafka enters his second season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. As the Offensive Quality Control Coach with KC in 2017, he primarily assisted the quarterbacks. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Kafka returned to his alma mater, serving as a graduate assistant (offense) at Northwestern University. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, he enjoyed a six-year playing career in the National Football League where he saw action as a backup quarterback and practice squad member with several teams. Kafka was drafted in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by then-Head Coach Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in four games throughout his career, all with the Eagles in the 2011 season. He was a collegiate standout as a QB at Northwestern.

DeLeone enters his sixth season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, serving as a Defensive Quality Control Coach during his first two years with the club (2013-14), prior to being elevated to Assistant Linebackers Coach where he served the last three seasons (2015-17). DeLeone entered the NFL as a Defensive Assistant with the New York Jets following three stops coaching at the collegiate level, including New Hampshire (2009), Florida (2010) and Temple (2011). He graduated from Iowa where he served as a Student Assistant for the football program for four years.

Smith enters his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. He served as the Assistant Defensive Line Coach since his arrival in 2016. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Smith returned to his alma mater, serving as the Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach at Texas Tech. He entered the NFL coaching ranks coaching the outside linebackers for the New York Jets for three seasons (2010-12), following his first coaching stop at Hawaii coaching the linebackers in 2009. Smith entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (234th overall) of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2005 NFL Draft where he played linebacker for four seasons.

Matthaei enters his sixth season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, serving as the Offensive Quality Control Coach during his first two seasons with the club (2013-14) before being elevated to Assistant Quarterbacks (2015-17). In his latest role, he also assisted with the offensive line. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Matthaei spent five seasons with Head Coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia as a Coaching Assistant (2008-09), as well as the Assistant to the Head Coach (2009-12). He began his coaching career in 2007 at his alma mater, Willamette University, after playing on the offensive line for four seasons (2003-06).

Bleymaier begins his third season with the Chiefs in 2018, spending his first two seasons as Offensive Quality Control Coach. Before joining the Chiefs in 2016, he spent three years at Colorado, serving a Quality Control Coach. Bleymaier began his NFL career with three summers as a football operations intern under then-Head Coach Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles (2007-09). He was a four-year letterman as a wide receiver at Delaware (2002-05), where he recorded 74 receptions for 864 yards with 11 total touchdowns and was part of the Blue Hens’ 15-1, NCAA 1-AA National Championship team in 2003.

Bradden will enter his second NFL season with the Chiefs in 2018. He spent his first season as a Defensive Assistant. Bradden joined the Chiefs from Bethune-Cookman University where he served as the Quarterbacks Graduate Assistant. Prior to his time in Daytona Beach, he spent the 2015 season as the head coach of his alma mater, Inlet Grove High School. During the 2014 season, he was the Quality Control Special Teams Coach at Florida Atlantic University. He played quarterback for two seasons at Howard University (2009-11) before transferring to Tuskegee University (2011-13) where he graduated.

Valai enters his first NFL season with the Chiefs in 2018. He joins Kansas City after two seasons as the Defensive Quality Control coach at the University of Georgia. He played collegiately as a safety at Wisconsin from 2007 to 2010, recording 153 tackles (91 solo), 1.0 sack, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in 48 games played.

Girardi enters his first NFL season with the Chiefs in 2018. He joins Kansas City after one season as the Quarterbacks Coach at Lafayette College. Prior to coaching the Leopards, Girardi spent three seasons at Northwestern University working on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He played collegiately as a quarterback at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., from 2008-10.

— Chiefs Communications —