Stanford Routt a Chief

It was reported early this afternoon that free agent cornerback Stanford Routt came to terms with the Chiefs on a 3-year $19.6 million deal.

“Stanford has a proven record of success in the NFL,” Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. “He’s a talented player that has spent seven seasons in the AFC West, so he is familiar with us and our division opponents. We are excited to have Stanford join the team, and we are looking forward to getting started.”

“We are excited that we were able to come to terms with Stanford,” General Manager Scott Pioli said. “He is a talented player, and as we have said in the past, we are always looking to add competition at every position year-round. Stanford’s experience and level of play will make him a solid addition to our defense.”

This signing makes the Chiefs future this offseason a little more clear, simply because the Routt signing sort of clarifies the direction the Chiefs are going to go. This signing all but assuredly means that Brandon Carr will hit free agency in mid-March, and that Dwayne Bowe will all but assuredly be given the franchise tag.

I say all but assuredly on both issues because, even with Routt signed, the Chiefs could conceivably also sign or franchise Carr. This would, as Yahoo Sports pointed out today, give the Chiefs one of the best secondaries in the NFL for 2012. And as Kent Babb pointed out via Twitter: "The Stanford Routt signing doesn't necessarily mean KC won't re-sign Carr. It does, however, mean they won't overpay for him, even slightly." So I guess there's a chance ...

This is, however, very unlikely.

I have to think that the reason Routt was brought in is because the Chiefs and Brandon Carr weren't even close on negotiation for a future contract. The Chiefs, therefore, took the cheaper route (Routt). And while cheapness might disappoint fans right now, there is a bright side.

By saving money with a slight downgrade at the second corner position, the Chiefs could then use that money they saved to spend on other free agents: perhaps a Peyton Manning, a Sione Pouha, a BenJarvus Green-Ellis or a Carl Nicks (could I really go 3-for-3 in my Valentine free agent post?). If the Chiefs do so, then fans will forgive them for letting a talented CB like Brandon Carr try his fortune with another team.

My initial reaction? If the Chiefs were sure they were going to lose Carr, then replacing him was the right thing to do. With the Routt signing, the Chiefs can concentrate on other positions besides CB in the first round, which they probably would have had to do if they didn't snag a free agent CB of Routt's caliber. But my full reaction will have to wait until the offseason is over and free agents have been signed. If the Chiefs keep the money they saved without spending it on valuable free agent talent, then I will be vastly disappointed. If they bring in talent that can help them compete deep into the playoffs, then it was not only an acceptable decision but the right decision.

Only time will tell.