The Chiefs are about to lose their first free agent of the 2019 free agency period.
Center Mitch Morse is expected to sign with the Bills at the start of free agency, according to multiple reports. Morse joined the Chiefs through the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He’s been the starting center for the Chiefs during the past four seasons.
When Morse has been healthy, he’s been among the top centers in the league. The problem is he hasn’t often been healthy, most recently missing five games in the 2018 season because of a concussion. He’s only played a single full season during his NFL career. But he still hasn’t allowed a sack since he was a rookie.
The Chiefs made it clear they planned to move on from Morse when they signed reserve center Austin Reiter to a contract extension. That extension keeps Reiter with the Chiefs through the 2020 NFL season.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Morse’s contract with the Bills is $11 million per season and makes him the highest-paid center in the NFL. The Chiefs clearly weren’t going to get on board with a contract like that given his injury concerns.
Morse cannot officially sign the deal until after 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, when free agency begins.
