The Kansas City Chiefs are currently focused on their upcoming Wild Card Weekend game against the Miami Dolphins, but their front office is also considering the future of the organization. On January 10, Jason Fitzgerald from Over the Cap reported that the Chiefs have signed quarterback Ian Book, wide receiver Jacob Copeland, running back Hassan Hall, and linebacker Jordan Smith to futures contracts. This practice of making future deals while in the playoffs is relatively uncommon, and the signings were confirmed by NFL insider Aaron Wilson and A-to-Z Sports KC media member Charles Goldman.
A futures contract secures a player’s rights for the following offseason, placing them on the next year’s 90-man roster. These players don’t count towards the current roster or salary cap limits, and they cannot be signed by other teams.
The four players underwent tryouts with the Chiefs on January 2, and it seems that nearly half of the 10 tryout participants earned contracts. The standout among them is Ian Book, a former fourth-round pick of the New Orleans Saints. While Book was recognized for his leadership and intangibles during his college days at Notre Dame, concerns have been raised about his size and arm strength falling below NFL standards. Despite a less-than-ideal start in the NFL, the Chiefs are hopeful that their coaching staff can develop his potential during the upcoming spring and summer.
The other three signings include wide receiver Jacob Copeland, running back Hassan Hall, and linebacker Jordan Smith. Smith, a former fourth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, is looking to restart his NFL career after suffering a serious knee injury. Copeland, an undrafted free agent out of Maryland, had a promising collegiate season in 2021. Hall, another undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech, has experience with various NFL organizations and showcased impressive performance in his final college campaign.
These signings reflect the Chiefs’ strategic approach to securing talent for the future while maintaining focus on their current playoff run.
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