Chiefs general manager John Dorsey confirmed the team exercised linebacker Dee Ford’s fifth-year option during a conference call on Monday.
Dorsey called the decision a “no-brainer” and said they planned on doing it all along.
“I just wanted to prudently think about it and have this morning to assess the situation and see how we turned out in the draft,” Dorsey said, via Arrowhead Pride. “I think Dee has a fine future with this organization.”
According to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, Ford’s fifth-year option will cost the team approximately $8.718 million.
Also, per Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride, the fifth-year option isn’t guaranteed until March of 2018. That means the Chiefs hypothetically could cut Ford and not be on the hook for that money if they chose to. There’s a very low chance that happens, but we’ve seen it happen with other players before.
My guess is if Ford has a tremendous 2017 season, Kansas City will likely sign him to a contract extension. That way they can spread out his guaranteed money and have him locked up for years.