Tamba Hali & Chiefs Working On Restructured Deal To Keep Him In KC

Chiefs veteran OLB Tamba Hali confirmed that his agent has been talking to the team about his contract and trying to find a way to bring him back next year.

“It’s not about the numbers for me,’’ Hali said, via ESPN.com. “It’s about whether the situation makes sense for them because I want to be there and play for the Chiefs. The general manager [John Dorsey] and coach [Andy] Reid, they know I want to be there. That’s why I say it’s a matter of how I fit into what the Chiefs want to do for the season.

“They’re talking numbers so I’m optimistic I’ll still be there.’’

This would be great news for the Chiefs, who used their franchise tag to keep OLB Justin Houston. Kansas City is in a tough financial position, so they could use all the cap savings they can get.

Hali, 31, is entering the final year of his five-year, $57.5 million contract that included $35 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $6.75 million to go along with a $2 million roster bonus for the 2015 season and his cap figure sits at $11.9 million.

This year, Hali appeared in all 16 games for the Chiefs and recorded 59 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and a recovery. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 13 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense out of 46 qualifying players.