Kansas City has taken an early step in the offseason by finalizing Reserve/Future contracts for the 2024 season with four free agents, as indicated in the latest NFL transactions report. The players signed include quarterback Ian Book, wide receiver Jacob Copeland, running back Hassan Hall, and pass rusher Jordan Smith.
The Reserve/Future contracts come with a non-guaranteed minimum salary, which becomes effective at the commencement of the new league year in March. These players won’t be eligible for the postseason, and their continuation with the team until training camp will depend on further roster decisions made by Kansas City. Typically, at the conclusion of the season, most of the practice squad members are expected to be signed to Reserve/Future contracts.
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Ian Book, drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, started one game during his rookie season. After being waived by the Saints before the 2022 season, he was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles on waivers and had a brief stint on the New England Patriots’ practice squad in 2023.
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Jordan Smith, a 2021 fourth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, missed the entire 2022 season due to a knee injury after appearing in only two games during his rookie year. Interestingly, his first-year defensive coordinator in Jacksonville was Joe Cullen, who now serves as Kansas City’s defensive line coach.
These players' salaries will count against the Chiefs 2024 cap until there are 51 players signed for next season with higher figures.
QB Book and DE Smith $985K
WR Copeland and RB Hall $795K https://t.co/Dax19fJCij— Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief) January 11, 2024
Jacob Copeland and Hassan Hall entered the league as undrafted free agents with the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, respectively. Both players have moved in and out of multiple practice squads this season after not making their initial rosters.
Since the Chiefs haven’t yet secured 51 players for the 2024 season, the minimum salaries for these players will, at least temporarily, impact Kansas City’s 2024 salary cap. Ian Book and Jordan Smith, each with two accrued seasons, will have a minimum salary of $985,000, while Jacob Copeland and Hassan Hall, lacking NFL game experience, will receive minimum salaries of $795,000.
The signings of these four players are expected to reduce the team’s estimated 2024 salary cap space by $3.6 million.