Chiefs Sign Dwayne Bowe to Long Term Deal, Place Franchise Tag on Branden Albert

Dwayne Bowe (82) makes a catch while being defended by Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) in the first quarter at Cleveland Brown Stadium. (Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports)

Most of the grumbling heard out of Kansas City last season came from Chiefs’ wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. He was ready to jump ship in the middle of the Chiefs’ 2-14 season, especially because the team didn’t offer him a long-term deal heading into that horrendous season.

With the upcoming official signing of quarterback Alex Smith, the Chiefs did everything in their power to keep Bowe. That meant giving him a five-year deal worth $56 million ($26 million guaranteed). That makes Bowe the third highest paid player in the league, only behind Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson.

The Chiefs also made moves to keep a couple more free agents. The team placed their franchise tag on left tackle Branden Albert, and then gave Pro Bowl punter Dustin Colquitt a five-year deal worth $18.75 million ($8.9 guaranteed).

The Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers did not use their franchise tag.

At this point, the rest of the AFC West is doing everything they can to keep up with the run-away Broncos. 

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