Kansas City Chiefs: Right Call Releasing Dwayne Bowe

According to a report from ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher, the Kansas City Chiefs will be parting ways with wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. The nine-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Chiefs and has seen his once tremendous production tail off considerably. The writing was on the wall for Bowe as he struggled to become the number-one target the Chiefs he once was early on in his career.

Coming out of LSU, Bowe was one of the top wide receiver prospects in the draft and for good reason. He finished his senior season with 65 catches for 990 yards and set a school record with 12 touchdowns. His combination of size at 6’2″ and speed (ran a 4.51 40) made him an excellent prospect. The receiver hungry Chiefs snatched him up with 23rd overall pick and he transitioned seamlessly in to the team.

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His rookie season was a coming out party of sorts for Bowe as he quickly justified his first round selection. Bowe lead all rookie receivers in receptions (70), yards (995), and touchdowns (6) and was a finalist for rookie of the year but Adrian Peterson took home the honor. The Chiefs finally had their big-time number one receiver but they still lacked the quarterback to truly take advantage of his ability.

Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) scores a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 17-16. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Bowe’s production continued to stay at a high level for the next four seasons where he only missed the 1,000 yard mark once in a injury shortened season in 2009. He set record after record with his performances and even lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2010 with 15. That season, Bowe broke the Chiefs’ receiving touchdown record and was rewarded for his efforts with a Pro Bowl selection.

After the 2011 season in which he finished with 1,159 yards Dwayne Bowe’s production steadily dropped for the Kansas City Chiefs. He never topped 1,000 yards or 60 catches again and in 2014 did not catch a single touchdown pass. Of course no other Chiefs receiver caught a touchdown pass either but it was still a sign of Bowe’s decline.

Despite the drop in production for the last three years, Bowe is the still the all-time franchise leader in receptions by a wide receiver and is second overall to future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. His competition in the category is not very stiff but Bowe has maintained a consistent level of performance for the Chiefs despite playing with nine different starting quarterbacks. It is a testament to his ability that he was able to maintain his production in such circumstances but he is no longer worth his contract, valued at $14 million for the 2015 season.

Aug 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) runs with the ball after a pass reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

By releasing Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs will save $5 million against the cap this season and free up space to add an impact receiver like Jeremy Maclin. The Chiefs badly need a makeover of their receiving corps and letting Bowe is the first step necessary. At 31 years old and with his size and talent, Bowe will still receive interest from teams around the league but he will have to take a considerable paycut. Teams looking for a reliable number two receiver may come sniffing around the former LSU Tiger but he has done enough in his career to hang up his cleats with little regrets.

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