The Kansas City Chiefs and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe were unable to reach an agreement for a long-term contract before Monday afternoon’s deadline. As a result, Bowe will play the year under the franchise tag. But what is next for Dwayne Bowe? Will 2012 be his last as a member of the Chiefs?
The team drafted Jonathan Baldwin in the first-round just a year ago. They also brought in Steve Breaston through free agency and drafted Steven Wylie. All of the receivers are locked up through 2015.
As for Bowe, if he hits the open market, he will generate significant interest. This has prompted CBSSports’ Jason La Canfora to say he “would be pretty surprised” if Bowe returned to the Chiefs next season. He wrote:
"The entire offense there could be in for a shakeup, the Chiefs continue to grab young receivers high in the draft and I don’t see Bowe in any rush to sign his tender, which won’t create great goodwill with Scott Pioli. The sides made progress, but never bridged a considerable gap. As more receivers sign long-term deals, it makes Bowe a more attractive commodity on the free-agent market and this could well be his swan song in Kansas City."
Bowe, at age 27, remains a young receiver with a lot of gas left in the tank. Things appear headed downhill in Kansas City, so Chiefs fans should prepare themselves for the worst.
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