The Chiefs have signed Dwayne Bowe to a new contract days before the WR was scheduled to hit free agency. The new deal will keep Bowe in Kansas City for five more years and give new starting QB Alex Smith a reliable target to throw to as the team looks to contend in 2013.
Bowe played last season on a $9.5 million franchise tag. He was unhappy with the tag and it was widely believed that without major changes he would find a new home in free agency.
According to Greg Rosenthall of the NFL Network , Dwayne Bowe’s new contract was a result of Kansas City’s numerous offseason overhauls. Not only did the Chiefs trade for Alex Smith, they also brought in a new GM and hired Andy Reid as the head coach.
Financial information about Dwayne Bowe’s contract has not been released, but ESPN reports the deal made it possible for the Chiefs to use the franchise tag on left tackle Brandon Albert.
Dwayne Bowe has spent all six NFL seasons with the Chiefs. In those six seasons he has reached 1,000 yards receiving three times and led the league in touchdowns in 2010. He would have had his fourth 1,000 yard season last year but was placed on injured reserved after week 13 with a rib injury.
Overall Bowe has played 73 career games in Kansas City with 71 starts. He has 415 career receptions with 5,728 yards and 39 touchdowns. He has been an integral part of the Chiefs since being drafted in 2007, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2010 after setting a franchise record with 15 touchdowns.
Here is a video from ESPN confirming Dwayne Bowe’s contract:
Now Kansas City can turn their attention to the NFL Draft. They currently hold the number one pick and speculation had them picking either a QB or a left tackle. With the Alex Smith trade and the use of the franchise tag on Brandon Albert, it’s now anyone’s guess what they will do with it.
Are you surprised by Dwayne Bowe’s new contract to stay with the Chiefs five more seasons?