KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We're continuing our look at the Kansas City Chiefs' roster with the linebackers.
2014 starts for Chiefs: Tamba Hali 16, Justin Houston 16, Josh Mauga 16, James-Michael Johnson 9, Joe Mays 3, Derrick Johnson 1.
2014 snaps for Chiefs: Houston 996, Mauga 967, Hali 942, James-Michael Johnson 422, Dee Ford 115, Joe Mays 114, Josh Martin 48, Frank Zombo 31, Derrick Johnson 30.
Others on roster who didn't play for Chiefs in 2014: JoJo Dickson, Darin Drakeford, Dezman Moses.
Potential free agents: Houston, Mauga, Moses.
2014 recap: Houston had perhaps the best season ever for a Chiefs linebacker. He led the NFL with 22 sacks, finishing just a half-sack from the league record set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2001. Hali, meanwhile, had just six sacks, the second-lowest total of his nine-year career. Derrick Johnson played in part of only one game, the season-opener, after rupturing his Achilles tendon. The Chiefs' missed his every-down presence but particularly his ability as a run defender. The Chiefs also expected Mays to help as a run defender on the inside but he was limited to three games because of injuries. Ford was the Chiefs' first-round draft pick but played mostly as a situational pass rusher. He had little impact, finishing with 1.5 sacks.
Looking ahead to 2015: It's imperative the Chiefs either sign Houston to a long-term deal or retain his rights as the franchise player. He's too good of a player to set free. The Chiefs also have a decision on Hali, who will be 32 in November. He will cost more than $11 million against their salary cap. That number may need to be reduced if he is to stay for another season. Either way, the Chiefs need to get Ford more involved because he is the future. Derrick Johnson's rehab was going well and the Chiefs expected him back in time for next season. But Johnson will be 33 in November, and it may not be reasonable to expect him to return as the same player he was before the injury. Even if he does, the Chiefs need to think about eventually replacing him with a younger player. That player will be difficult to find.
