3 Worst Contracts for the Kansas City Chiefs Right Now

The Kansas City Chiefs have struck gold in the free agency department over the years, as the organization has managed to complement its superb draft resume perfectly. Landing the likes of safety Tyrann Mathieu and defensive end Frank Clark have solidified what used to be a swiss cheese defense, and KC now has a Super Bowl title to show for it.

However, every team in the NFL has a few contracts on the payroll that they regret dishing out -- even the defending champs. With that in mind, here are a some of the worst contracts that Kansas City currently has on the books.

3. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

Chiefs offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif blocking against the Steelers / Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Does Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has a world of talent? Yes. Does he often showcase it to the fullest? Not exactly. What's worse than that is the fact that he isn't at all reliable in regards to his availability. Since becoming a full-time starter on Kansas City's offensive line in 2015, LDT has yet to play a full season. Between 2017 and 2018, the McGill product appeared in just 16 games. The fact that he earns $8.47 million per season while so often shelved with injuries proves that his five-year, $42.36 million contract was a miscalculation by the Chiefs.

2. Anthony Hitchens

Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens against the Titans in the AFC Championship Game / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Anthony Hitchens signed a five-year, $45 million contract prior to the 2018 season and immediately legitimized KC giving up that kind of money, as he ranked fifth in the NFL with 135 tackles. 2019, however, was an entirely different story. Hitchens banked $9 million while compiling 88 combined tackles, two sacks, four quarterback hits, and one forced fumble in 15 starts. To make matters worse, the Iowa product's contract doesn't expire until 2023. That's just not smart money anymore.

1. Sammy Watkins

Chiefs wideout Sammy Watkins is grossly overpaid / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Sammy Watkins deserves credit for staying reasonably healthy this past season, but his production since coming over in the 2018 offseason doesn't come close to justifying the Chiefs giving him a three-year, $48 million deal. Of a possible 32 regular season contests, Watkins has appeared in just 24 while logging fewer than 1,200 receiving yards and just six touchdowns. The former No. 4 overall pick was almost more productive in 2018 than in 2019, and he played in four fewer games. His marriage to KC rightfully appears to have run its course.