Report: Chiefs to tag LB Ford, listen to offers

The Kansas City Chiefs are planning to place their franchise tag on outside linebacker Dee Ford and envision keeping him in the lineup, but they still could trade the 2018 Pro Bowl selection, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Chiefs' decision to switch their base defensive scheme to a 4-3 this season under new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would affect where Ford plays, with a probable move to defensive end in 2019 if the Chiefs keep him. Ford, who has spent five seasons with the Chiefs, played the position at Auburn and has the ability to be an edge rusher in a 4-3.

He has 30.5 career sacks with the Chiefs, including a personal-best 13 in 2018, when he attained career firsts by starting all 16 regular-season games and being selected to the Pro Bowl. Ford earned approximately $8.7 million in 2018 after the fifth-year option of his contract was exercised. The one-year franchise tender is expected to be around $15.8 million for linebackers, and Ford said late last season that signing it would be a "no brainer."

"He had an outstanding season," Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in early February of Ford. "He was at the top of his game. Really, when we drafted Dee a few years ago, all those things that we envisioned for him, he kind of showed that he was that player. "Obviously, Dee is a player that has done so much for us, in particular, last year. We're excited about bringing him back. And then with (defensive lineman) Chris (Jones) and (wide receiver) Tyreek (Hill), you're talking about two guys that are now eligible for extensions. They're guys that we drafted and guys that have done tremendously in regard to just getting better year-in and year-out and being dominant players."

--Field Level Media

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