The Kansas City Chiefs came within one stop of playing in the franchise's first Super Bowl since 1963. Instead, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots completed three third-and-longs in overtime of the AFC Championship Game, culminating in a game-winning touchdown run by Rex Burkhead before wunderkind quarterback Patrick Mahomes ever got the chance to touch the ball.

As a result of their frustrating ability to get off the field against New England and the defense's subpar performance all season long, the Chiefs plan on making wholesale changes defensively this offseason, one of which has already been implemented: replacing ousted coordinator Bob Sutton with veteran coach Steve Spagnuolo.

But Kansas City's problems on defense extended beyond scheme and play-calling, and general manager Brett Veach has made no secret of his plans to overhaul the team's defensive personnel before the 2019 season. Most significant among those potential moves, at least to Chiefs fans, would be the release of outside linebacker Justin Houston, a very valuable player who's nevertheless overpaid.

The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes that Houston could be on the cutting block in the offseason because Kansas City would save $14 million in cap space, and the 30-year-old has given no indication he's will to re-structure the six-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2015 after leading the NFL in sacks the previous season. The Chiefs also have fellow edge rusher Dee Ford's free agency to contend with, and selected outside linebacker Breeland Speaks in the second round of last year's draft.

Would Kansas City miss Houston, who had nine sacks and forced a career-best five fumbles this season?

Absolutely. But the Chiefs' financial resources are limited, and shedding his salary could be the surest means of providing Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and company with a defense that won't wilt under pressure again and again in the postseason.

Stay tuned.