Tyson Jackson Agrees to Restructured Contract

Tyson Jackson has reportedly agreed to a restructured contract according to Mac's Football Blog, who cites a league source.

Jackson becomes another player drafted at the top of the 2009 draft that agrees to a restructured deal. He joins Matthew Stafford, Jason Smith, Aaron Curry, Mark Sanchez and Andre Smith as players who were taken in the top 6 of the draft three years ago that have altered their original deals. via Mac's Football Blog.

In terms of the salary cap, the 2014 season of Jackson's contract has been deleted, accelerating the $2.5 million in option bonus from that season onto this year's cap. Despite that, Jackson's cap number has been reduced from $10.755 million to $9.5 million, a savingsof $1.255 million for the 2012 season.

It's interesting that this restructure was done before the draft and that the Chiefs are not currently in a cap situation that would have made this move necessary to get under the cap. Jackson still has a base salary of $14.72 million in 2013, with $3.22 guaranteed. That's quite a large number so the Chiefs could look at an extension or walk-away from Jackson after this season if an extension isn't agreed upon.

The defensive end spot will now become a focus of this teams' future as their two starters from last year, Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson, both have their contracts up in the next two years. Dorsey becomes a free agent after this season and Jackson becomes a free agent now after the 2013 season.

What could this mean for the future of Jackson and/or Dorsey?

Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson Both In Make-Or-Break Seasons With Kansas City Chiefs

Apr 22 11:11a by Matt Conner

The Kansas City Chiefs heavily invested in the defensive end position over the course of two consecutive drafts picking within the top five. Now they’re going to have to decide what to do with both Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson as soon as the 2012 season is finished (if not sooner).

Instead of selecting impact players at different positions with such choices available for them, the Chiefs took Glenn Dorsey at the No. 5 overall position in the 2008 NFL Draft. As Scott Pioli came in, the Chiefs were in worse shape and picked No. 3 in the 2009 Draft. That year they chose another LSU lineman, Tyson Jackson, to man the side opposite of Dorsey. Now both players are in position to likely hit the market this next spring if the Chiefs so choose.

Dorsey is going to be a free agent. There’s no way around that one unless the Chiefs want to tag him, which means paying him among the league’s best defensive linemen, or signing him to an extension of some kind. As for Jackson, the team just restructured his deal, voiding the 2014 contract year in the process. Most have written that he’s going to be a free agent following Dorsey, but it could be at the same time.

“Much like [Jason] Smith, Jackson took about a 50 percent pay cut in 2012, but received significant 2012 guarantees,” writes Jason La Canfora. “The restructuring keeps him with the Chiefs, but also allows him to hit the market as soon as next year.”

The reason is that Jackson’s salary number for 2013 is an exorbitant $14.72 million. That’s the same sort of number the Chiefs had to rework this season. However, as they head into 2013, what reason will Jackson have to rework his deal unless he really wants to stay in Kansas City. The sooner a player can get to free agency, the sooner he can get the big paycheck that free agency allows. Just ask Brandon Carr how he feels about the new $50 million he signed for.

The reality is that the Chiefs will be looking at both Jackson and Dorsey in the 2012 season to check their progress, to monitor the market and see where and how they want to invest their money. Both players could be re-signed, let go, or fans could also witness a cornerback like scenario where the Chiefs keep one of two and watch the other walk. Either way, Jackson’s deal could force the question sooner rather than later.

For more on Jackson's contract situation, check out Arrowhead Pride.

I predict that Dorsey will be the one to walk if the Chiefs let go of one of these guys. I think Jackson is going to be the better player anyway.

I hope they both walk. Dorsey I like but it's not like he is so good he isnt easily replaced. Tyson can just leave and go str8 to hell

Chiefs09 wrote:

I hope they both walk. Dorsey I like but it's not like he is so good he isnt easily replaced. Tyson can just leave and go str8 to hell

I have a feeling after this season is over you will have a change of tune.

and after he sucks this year you will probably just repeat it again next year. I cant wait to hear guys say " sometimes it takes dlineman 10 years to develope". dude isnt a kid he is a man and a bust already.

Chiefs09 wrote:

and after he sucks this year you will probably just repeat it again next year. I cant wait to hear guys say " sometimes it takes dlineman 10 years to develope". dude isnt a kid he is a man and a bust already.

Lol. Nope! This is year 4! He will be what he's gonna become this year.

Its a weird move... but I don't think we let either Dorsey or Jackson just walk away. Force Jackson into a contract year to see if hes finally ready to break out.

RustShack wrote:

Its a weird move... but I don't think we let either Dorsey or Jackson just walk away. Force Jackson into a contract year to see if hes finally ready to break out.

I didn't think that about Carr either but it damn sure happened. We may as well prepare ourselves especially if they take Cox.

Carr is a little different. He's a #2 CB who wanted paid more than our #1. DE is also a little more important. A good DL will make the whole defense look better than it is, same can't be said about the backfield. Especially your #2 CB. Plus we should have minimal if any drop off with Routt now.