With cut-down day looming, some teams can go bargain shopping. And it’s a bit odd for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to be the ones looking for help, cheap.
Chiefs Snag Linebacker Cam Thomas in Last-Minute Trade
Hold on to your jerseys, folks! The Kansas City Chiefs are shaking things up right before the cut-down day deadline. In a move as surprising as finding a piranha in a fishbowl, the Chiefs have secured linebacker Cam Thomas from the Arizona Cardinals for a mere seventh-round pick. You read that right—a seventh-rounder! This Hail Mary pass of a trade has heads turning.
A Diamond in the Rough: The Background
Cam Thomas, a 2022 third-round draft pick from San Diego State, may not be a household name yet, but don’t sleep on his potential. Even though his rookie year saw him in 17 games with zero starts and this past season just 15 games with three starts, there’s a raw talent there waiting for a breakout. His stats include three sacks in his rookie season—a modest count, sure—but let’s not forget how diamonds are formed under pressure.
Contract Details: The Fine Print
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Thomas is on the books through 2025 with a base salary of $1.17 million this year and $1.6 million next season. That’s chump change in the NFL universe, especially for a team looking to patch up their linebacker corps without breaking the bank.
- Base Salary 2023: $1.17 million
- Base Salary 2024: $1.6 million
- Contract End: 2025
From Third Fiddle to First Chair?
Currently listed as a third-string outside linebacker on the Cardinals’ preseason depth chart, Thomas is looking to hit a high note in Kansas City. Imagine him as a rookie guitarist joining a rock band like the Chiefs—plenty of room to grow, plenty of legacy to live up to. The Chiefs, often at the bottom of the waiver wire pecking order, likely wouldn’t have snagged Thomas without this trade. It’s like buying a winning lottery ticket at the last minute.
Why This Matters: Kansas City’s Underdog Story
Kansas City has been synonymous with Super Bowl victories these past few seasons, but that doesn’t mean they’re resting on their laurels. This trade isn’t just a move; it’s a statement. The Chiefs are telling the league, “We’re just getting warmed up.” With cut-down day approaching faster than a blitzing linebacker, this strategic grab could be the ace up Andy Reid’s sleeve.
So, Chiefs fans, get ready. We might just see Cam Thomas lighting up the field, proving that even in the world of professional sports, sometimes the best treasures are found at the bottom of the barrel.
It’s a move akin to finding gold in a Peruvian minefield—unexpected yet potentially game-changing. Kansas City, brace yourselves. This underdog story has just begun!
