Many of the Kansas City Chiefs players are feeling pretty great about the direction the team is heading in. Andy Reid is making an impact as the new coach. Alex Smith is proving to be an upgrade at the quarterback position. The defense is stocked with Pro Bowl appearances. Everyone is happy, everyone except Dexter McCluster.
Danny Parkins of 610 Sports is reporting that McCluster is very unhappy with his current position on the team and would like to be traded at some point. The running back/wide receiver hybrid player has seen his role becoming severely limited with the new coaching staff. He has been taken out of the rotation to return kickoffs and punts.
McCluster has been out of practice with a reported illness. The radio host goes on to tweet that there are questions surrounding the legitimacy of his illness which could lead to a trade. McCluster is denying all of these claims. The wide receiver tweeted out, "Believe none of what you HEAR and only half of what you SEE! Too blessed and humble for nonsense! DMc Go Chiefs!"
So that settles it right? McCluster's time with the Chiefs has seen its ups and downs. He put up his best season in 2011 when Jamaal Charles was injured, recording 844 yards off 46 receptions. However, in 2012 he only earned 64 touches on the ball and returned just two punts. This type of production could be what is limiting his role.
The wide receiver should proceed with caution. New general manager John Dorsey has proven he has no issue trading away players for the old regime. Jon Baldwin was just sent packing to the San Francisco 49ers after a limited amount of production on the field.
It is important to remember that it is just one radio host tweeting out this report. The Chiefs have not confirmed any of this. His roster spot has been put into question though after the team drafted Knile Davis this offseason. He is now the backup to Charles and has gotten a lot of time returning kicks, averaging 94 yards per return in the preseason. McCluster has just two catches for 21 yards to his name so far.
If the Chiefs are targeting a trade of McCluster, his market value could be relatively fair. A lot of teams could find good use for his speed and ball skills. It seems unlikely they would let a hybrid player go, but anything is possible. As of now, McCluster is maintaining the image that he wants to remain in Kansas City, but if his time on the bench continues to increase that might no longer be the case.
