{"id":799332,"date":"2026-03-07T23:54:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T23:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/799332\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T23:54:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T23:54:22","slug":"chiefs-will-not-tender-mike-caliendo-a-restricted-free-agency-offer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/799332\/","title":{"rendered":"Chiefs will not tender Mike Caliendo a restricted free agency offer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Ahead of the NFL\u2019s free agency effectively kicking off on Monday, teams are finalizing offseason attack plans. The <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/corryjoel\/status\/2029601245938470947\" rel=\"nofollow\">Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> are no exception.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Caliendo signed with the Chiefs in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan. After spending the 2022 season on Kansas City\u2019s practice squad, Caliendo was on the active roster the past three seasons. He has appeared in 42 games for the Chiefs with seven starts. He also started all three of the Chiefs\u2019 playoff games in the 2024 postseason, including a much-maligned performance against the <a href=\"http:\/\/bleedinggreennation.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> in Super Bowl LIX.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Offering the lineman a right-first-refusal \u201crestricted free agency\u201d tender would have immediately allocated $3.5 million in salary cap space to Caliendo. After the work the Chiefs have done over the past two weeks to get under the limit, it is not surprising they declined his tender.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Because restricted free agent offers are not guaranteed, the Chiefs could have extended the tender and negotiated a smaller amount later. That happened last offseason with cornerback Nazeeh Johnson and linebacker Jack Cochrane \u2014 who last offseason received restricted free agent offers nominally combining for about $7 million before both players agreed to sign for smaller (but guaranteed) salaries. Even so, Caliendo is still free to re-sign with the Chiefs \u2014 likely for an amount closer to the minimum salary of $1.145 million for players with three accrued seasons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Chiefs have not publicly extended offers to punter Matt Araiza and wide receiver Nikko Remigio \u2014 who qualify for \u201cexclusive rights free agency.\u201d The Chiefs can offer either player a non-guaranteed $1,075,000 contract \u2014 the minimum salary in 2026 for players with two seasons of experience \u2014 and prevent them from speaking to other teams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Expect the Chiefs to make the offer to both players, though they may want to sign Araiza to a modest extension to avoid the larger restricted free agent tender in 2027. Exclusive rights decisions must be made before the new league year begins at 3 p.m. Arrowhead time on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ahead of the NFL\u2019s free agency effectively kicking off on Monday, teams are finalizing offseason attack plans. 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