Could the balance of power in the AFC hang in the balance with where DeAndre Hopkins signs?Shortly after Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, the Dallas Cowboys were installed as the +300 favorite by SportsBetting.ag to land the 30-year-old wide receiver. However, the odds had shifted by Saturday in favor of the Buffalo Bills at +200, followed by AFC rival Kansas City at +400 and Dallas at +500.Both Buffalo and Kansas City held "substantive" talks with Arizona about a trade, according to SI.com, but the $15 million the Baltimore Ravens gave Odell Beckham Jr. on a one-year deal threw a wrench into the financial equation.The Cardinals were ultimately unable to find a trade partner for Hopkins, so the team opted to take a dead cap hit of $22.6 million while clearing $8.15 million in salary cap space.That also left one of the league's elite wide receivers free to sign with any of the other 31 teams. The New England Patriots (+700) and Ravens (+800) are also expected to be in the mix. Both teams were rumored to be interested in acquiring Hopkins around the NFL draft, but the cost of doing so was prohibitive.A three-time All-Pro who will turn 31 on June 6, Hopkins recorded 221 receptions for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona.Hopkins had 64 catches for 717 yards with three touchdowns during a 2022 season in which he missed the first six games while serving a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. He sat out the final two games with a knee injury.The Bills have a strong tandem in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but very little proven depth behind them. They drafted Justin Shorter in the fifth round and the depth chart currently includes the likes of Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield and Khalil Shakir.The Chiefs likewise could prove a good fit for Hopkins. They do have Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, but last year's leading wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots after catching 78 passes for 933 yards in 2023.DeAndre Hopkins Next Team OddsBuffalo Bills (+200)Kansas City Chiefs (+400)Dallas Cowboys (+500)New England Patriots (+700)Baltimore Ravens (+800)Carolina Panthers (+800)New York Giants (+900)

The photographer shoved to the ground by Davante Adams after a game last season is now suing the wide receiver, as well as both the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Star reported Friday.Park Zebley, 20, was a University of Missouri-Kansas City student working with a local production company that was helping ESPN cover the Oct. 10 "Monday Night Football" game between the Raiders and Chiefs in Kansas City.The Chiefs won 30-29, and as Adams was leaving the field, he pushed Zebley to the ground as they crossed paths, which was caught by TV cameras.Zebley claims he suffered concussion symptoms as a result of his fall, and he "feared for his life" afterwards in part because Raiders fans found his identity and doxxed him online.Adams was charged with one count of misdemeanor assault, but Zebley wants more and filed a civil lawsuit.

Less than three years after receiving the richest contract in NFL history, Patrick Mahomes now ranks seventh in average pay among quarterbacks.But the Kansas City Chiefs star isn't disturbed with the situation and insisted Wednesday that he's more worried about earning more Super Bowl rings than fattening up his back account."I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment," Mahomes, a two-time Super Bowl champion, told reporters. "We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me. So it's kind of teetering around that line."Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension in July of 2020, an average of $45 million per season.But six quarterbacks have since passed Mahomes in terms of average pay. This offseason alone, Lamar Jackson ($52 million AAV) of the Baltimore Ravens and Jalen Hurts ($51 million) of the Philadelphia Eagles signed wealthy extensions that leave them as the top two on the list.Also ahead of Mahomes are the New York Jets' Aaron Rodgers ($50.2 million), Russell Wilson ($48.5M) of the Denver Broncos, Kyler Murray ($46.1M) of the Arizona Cardinals and Deshaun Watson ($46M) of the Cleveland Browns.In addition, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers are nearing extensions that could also top Mahomes.Mahomes' deal runs through the 2031 season and he said he understands the restraints of the salary cap in terms of the Chiefs needing to lock up other good players.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set for their first-ever White House visit as Super Bowl champions, with the team setting a June 5 date for its meeting with President Joe Biden.The Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz., for their third Super Bowl title.However, the team didn't go to Washington following its title in 2019-20 season due to the pandemic. And back when the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV in January 1970, sports champions meeting the president wasn't a regular occurrence.The first NFL championship team to visit the White House was the 1979-80 Pittsburgh Steelers, according to multiple media reports.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is recovering from offseason surgery, head coach Andy Reid confirmed Monday.Pacheco played in Super Bowl LVII with a torn labrum and a broken hand, according to reports over the weekend."He's making progress," Reid told reporters. "We'll just see how it goes. I can't even give you a timeline."Reid also updated the condition of first-round draft pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who was limited in rookie practice, which concluded Monday. Reid said the defensive end, who played at Kansas State, had surgery on his right thumb before the draft."He did a little bit more today than he did yesterday and we'll just keep gradually bringing him back in," Reid said. "Today, he had his helmet on and did a little bit more. You'd hope maybe Phase 3, but you don't know. We'll just see how he feels."

The Kansas City Chiefs will play games in Germany in 2023 and 2024, according to multiple reports Thursday.The defending Super Bowl champions will face the Chicago Bears in Frankfurt on Nov. 12 or Nov. 19 this season, then take on the Carolina Panthers in Munich in 2024.The German newspaper Bild and the Kansas City Star issued the reports. The NFL is expected to release the 2023 schedule next week.

The Kansas City Chiefs are signing veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith to a one-year contract, NFL Network reported Wednesday.The deal is worth up to $9 million, per the report.

Jackson Mahomes, the younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, is facing charges of aggravated sexual battery.The younger Mahomes, 22, was booked into the Johnson County Detention Center in Olathe, Kan., Wednesday morning on a $100,000 bond, according to online records. He is scheduled for an arraignment on Friday.Police in Overland Park, Kan., told Kansas City's KCTV5 that the arrest stemmed from a woman's accusation in February.TMZ Sports posted a video Wednesday that appears to show Mahomes kissing a woman with his hands around her neck. The 40-year-old woman, who owns a restaurant in Overland Park, alleges that Mahomes also shoved a member of her restaurant's wait staff in a separate incident.

If ain't broke, don't fix it.That old adage could be the reason why it might be easy to overlook what the Chiefs do on draft day. With a superstar quarterback, one of the greatest tight ends of all time and a defense that does more than enough to keep opposing teams off the scoreboard, what more does Kansas City need?Well, like Rome, this dynasty wasn't built in a day.It goes without saying that the Chiefs wouldn't be where they are today without informed decision-making in previous drafts. Most teams follow that blueprint, unless of course they opt to be big spenders by going out and bidding on the top dogs in free agency.But Kansas City hasn't had the typical run-of-the-mill rise to dominance. The Chiefs haven't had top-tier draft talent just falling in their lap year after year. Sure, some of Kansas City's bigger names have been top picks, but the Chiefs have thrived on scouring the draft pool in the late rounds to find untapped potential.Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was a fifth-round pick back in 2016, cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was taken in the fourth round in 2020 and most recently, running back Isiah Pacheco was a seventh-round selection last year."I think the guys do a great job of accumulating information," Kansas City coach Andy Reid said of the front office. "(General manger Brett Veach) obviously heads all of this up and stays very disciplined with it, which is another thing, there are no shortcuts that he takes."Kansas City boasts seven picks in the fourth round or later of this year's draft and will look to keep spotting diamonds in the rough.TEAM NEEDS1. WR: While Patrick Mahomes can make almost anyone look good, the Chiefs have Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Kadarius Toney as their top two receivers after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason. Assuming Skyy Moore doesn't make a massive leap in Year 2, Kansas City is in need of a certified No. 1 option.2. DE: Kansas City didn't re-sign Frank Clark or Carlos Dunlap, leaving a pair of holes in the front seven. That duo accounted for nine sacks last season, and if the Chiefs want to see similar production up front, they'll likely have to turn to the draft.3. OT: Mahomes was only sacked 26 times last season. However, the star field general dealt with a postseason ankle injury that has had lingering effects to this day. Chances are he'll be 100 percent -- or close to it -- by the start of the season, but it can't hurt the Chiefs to consider bolstering their O-line to keep Mahomes safe and sound in the pocket.2023 DRAFT PICKSRound Pick (Overall)1. 31 (31)

The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly have their heir apparent to Chad Henne.The team is signing former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert to be the primary backup to Patrick Mahomes, according to reports from the Pat McAfee Show and ESPN on Tuesday.Henne announced his retirement immediately after claiming his second Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs, who beat Philadelphia in February's Super Bowl LVII. Henne backed up Mahomes for the past four seasons.Gabbert, 33, played the last three seasons in Tampa Bay, backing up Tom Brady.Gabbert is 13-35 for his career as a starter after Jacksonville selected him No. 10 overall in the 2011 draft out of Missouri.

The Kansas City Chiefs are re-signing wide receiver Justin Watson to a two-year deal, his agent announced Friday.JL Sports did not disclose the contract's financial details, but ESPN reported it is worth up to $6 million, including $1.4 million guaranteed.Watson, 27, played in all 17 games (five starts) in his first season with the Chiefs in 2022, catching 15 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns.

The Kansas City Chiefs are re-signing tight end Blake Bell to a one-year deal, NFL Network reported Friday.Bell, 31, missed most of last season following hip surgery and finished with two catches for 20 yards and one touchdown -- the first of his eight-year career -- in three games (one start).The two-time Super Bowl champion has played in 100 games (27 starts) since San Francisco selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, his agency SportsTrust Advisors said Tuesday.Contract terms were not disclosed for the two-time Super Bowl champion.Nnadi, 26, started all 17 regular season games and all three playoff games last season.

Free agent right tackle Jawaan Taylor is changing teams and could be switching sides of the line with the Kansas City Chiefs.According to reports, the 25-year-old agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract to join the Chiefs on Monday.Exclusively a right tackle with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Taylor could get a chance on the left side in Kansas City as the blindside protector for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Kansas City had two opportunities to closely study Taylor before and during games with the Jaguars on Nov. 13 and again Jan. 21.Reports from ESPN and the Houston Chronicle connected the Chiefs to trade discussions for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Whether Tunsil or another option, the Chiefs are expected to add another offensive lineman.The Chiefs broke off contract talks with left tackle Orlando Brown last month. Brown had been mostly a right tackle with the Baltimore Ravens before the Chiefs traded multiple draft picks to bring him to Kansas City, where he played the premium left tackle position.

Extending the contract of defensive tackle Chris Jones seemingly was on the to-do list for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs this offseason, at it appears they might be close.In response to a comment posted on his Twitter account on Sunday morning, Jones wrote this: "I'm a chief for life. I will not play for another franchise"Jones, 28, signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension in 2020, and he's due to become a free agent after the 2023 league year.His contract value has been eclipsed by one signed by Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams -- three years for $95 million, all guaranteed.

Legendary Kansas City Chiefs receiver Otis Taylor has died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia. He was 80.The Chiefs said Taylor died on Thursday. He had been dealing with health issues for more than three decades.Taylor's 11-year career included a memorable touchdown reception in Super Bowl IV when the heavy underdog Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 on Jan. 11, 1970."The Kansas City Chiefs organization is saddened by the passing of Otis Taylor," Kansas City CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. "My family and I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Otis' wife Regina, his sister Odell and the entire Taylor family as we mourn his passing."Otis was a Chief throughout his 11-year career, and he played an integral part in the early success of our franchise. He became a Kansas City icon with his signature touchdown in Super Bowl IV, as he helped the Chiefs bring home our first Lombardi Trophy. He was one of the most dynamic receivers of his era, and he helped revolutionize the position."Off-the-field, he was kind and dedicated to his community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Otis' legacy will live forever as a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame."Taylor's death comes just seven months after quarterback Len Dawson passed away at age 87. Dawson, a Hall of Famer, was Kansas City's quarterback throughout Taylor's career.Their most famous hook-up came in the Super Bowl IV win over the Vikings when Kansas City recorded a stunning upset.Dawson threw a short pass to Taylor, who caught it at the Minnesota 40-yard line. Taylor broke a tackle at the 40 and sidestepped another at the 15 en route to the 46-yard touchdown that made it 23-7 in the third quarter.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to release three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Frank Clark, who helped lead the team to two Super Bowl victories, ESPN and NFL Network reported Monday.The Chiefs were unable to agree on a reworked deal with Clark's agent during talks at the Scouting Combine, per the reports.So, the Chiefs will save $21 million against their cap by releasing Clark, the NFL's third all-time leading postseason sack leader. They'll incur a dead cap hit of $7.7 million.

Seven days before the start of free agency, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was informed by the Kansas City Chiefs he won't receive the franchise tag.NFL Network and ESPN reported Monday that Brown received word from the Chiefs and that the two sides remain engaged in discussions geared toward a tag-free resolution.The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise tag is Tuesday at 4 p.m., and the cost to keep Brown under terms of the repeat application of a franchise tag would've been nearly $20 million for 2023. He played on a one-year tender worth $16.7 million in 2022, and would have been assured a 20 percent increase if the Chiefs tagged him in back-to-back offseasons.Brown, a third-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, was acquired by the Chiefs in 2021. He played last season under the terms of the franchise tag after reportedly turning down a six-year extension worth up to $139 million.Those talks reportedly broke down over the amount of guaranteed money in the offer from Kansas City.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said last week that Brown would be a priority."As always, it's more beneficial to us to get something done long-term," Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "That's why this season is so important to us. Really, this is the start. We'll have a lot of dialogue, as you know. The combine is great to come in and check out the new college talent, but a lot of the time here is spent talking with the agents of our players to start exchanging information. Unlike last year, we at least have a runway to work with. We've gotten to know his team a little bit better, so we're excited to get that process started here and get something figured out."

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had a little fun at the expense of his brother as well as teammate Patrick Mahomes during his opening monologue on "Saturday Night Live."The charismatic Kelce began his hosting gig by referencing his team's 38-35 victory over older brother Jason Kelce's Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz."If you don't know, I just won my second Super Bowl, which was amazing. But to me, hosting SNL is that much better baby," Travis Kelce said before quickly reversing his field. "I'm lying to you all. I'm kidding. Winning the Super Bowl was way better."Travis Kelce, 33, then took aim at his quarterback -- well, more to the point -- Mahomes' raspy voice.He then focused on his brother Jason, who was seated in the front row alongside their parents, Ed and Donna."You know, people keep asking me what it was like to beat my brother in the Super Bowl, and it was pretty awkward," Travis said. "Especially because after the game, we had to ride home together. Our mom drove us there in her minivan, just like the good old days."Even though his team lost after being up 10 points at half, my brother is actually really happy for me."