The first move of the Chiefs’ 2022 offseason was made on Tuesday afternoon. The team announced the release of linebacker Anthony Hitchens on their official Twitter account. He spent the last four seasons with the Chiefs from 2018-2021 prior to getting cut.
Releasing Hitchens doesn’t come as a surprise. He was projected to be a $12.7 million cap hit against the 2022 salary cap, according to the folks at Over The Cap. With just $3.4 million in cap space to start the offseason, cutting the 30-year-old veteran linebacker seemed like a good place to start freeing up some much-needed cash. Hitchens’ release frees up approximately $8.5 million, which gives General Manager Brett Veach $11.9 million in cap space but that number could get even larger very soon.
The Chiefs can free up $22 million by converting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 2022 roster bonus into a signing bonus and an additional $10.6 million by doing the same with defensive tackle Chris Jones, per Over The Cap. Both moves are expected to occur anytime before March 18, when both players will receive their roster bonuses.
Hitchens joined Kansas City in 2018 and helped the Chiefs host four straight AFC Championship games and win Super Bowl LIV. In four seasons, Hitchens registered 381 tackles (271 solo), 10 QB hits, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two passes defended, and an interception.
In 2021, he wracked up 80 tackles (41 solo), two QB hits, two passes defended, and an interception.
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