The are releasing wide receiver , a person familiar with the decision told The A sociated Pre s on Wednesday, giving the Super Bowl champions some much-needed salary cap flexibility.The person spoke to the AP on  Craig Janney Jersey condition of anonymity because the Chiefs had not announced the move, which would save $12 million that they could use to shore up their offense or help keep defensive stars and next season.The Chiefs gave Valdes-Scantling a three-year, $30 million deal two years ago in the hopes that could turn the former wide receiver into a viable deep threat. But while Valdes-Scantling had memorable moments in Kansas City, including a touchdown catch in the Super Bowl, he was plagued by dropped pa ses and never put up the numbers the Chiefs expected of him.He had 42 catches for 687 yards and two scores in 2022 and only 21 catches for 315 yards and a touchdown this past season.ADVERTISEMENT  The release of Valdes-Scantling was widely expected given his overall lack of production and the other needs faced by the Chiefs as they retool their roster and begin pursuit of an -record third consecutive Lombardi Trophy.The Chiefs' defense, which largely shut down the 49ers in the Super Bowl, has several important pieces hitting free agency, headlined by Jones and Sneed. General Sharks Custom Jersey  manager Brett Veach said at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine that the team could use the franchise tag on one  Sneed is the more likely candidate  but that the Chiefs would try to secure long-term deals with both of them.The deadline to use the franchise tag is Tuesday. If the Chiefs use it on Jones or Sneed but cannot work out a long-term deal with them, there is also the po sibility that Kansas City would trade them for draft compensation."Youd like to be able to tag all the guys and pay all the guys, and its tough, because the more you win, the more you have to pay players," Veach said Tuesday. "And obviously, when you have Henry Thrun Jersey  this amount of succe s, youre paying players a lot of money."Among the Chiefs' other free agents on the defense, safety became an important player alongside after a season-ending injury to ; became a regular at linebacker after signing a one-year deal to come over from the AFC West-rival this past season; has proven Teemu Selanne Jersey  to be their most athletic and versatile linebacker; and defensive linemen , and played important roles.The Chiefs also have positions to addre s on offense.Left tackle will be a free agent along with , who started in the Super Bowl in place of injured left guard . Backup running backs and , wide receivers and , tight end and backup quarterback also are free agents.Longtime long snapper and punter also will be free agents, though the Chiefs already appear to have moved on from Townsend after signing to a contract late last week.Araiza was dropped from a lawsuit in December that had been filed by a woman who alleged she was raped by football players in 2021. Veach said the Chiefs went through "a long proce s"  Nikolai Knyzhov Jersey before they were comfortable signing him."When that came through, there was pretty much a green light in that it was an opportunity for him. Probably should have been in the league sooner than he was," Veach said. "As far as the information and our proce s, there was no holdup there."Reporting by The A sociated Pre s. Do you want more great stories delivered right to you? Here's how you can create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow your favorite leagues, teams and players and receive a personalized newsletter in your inbox daily.  FOLLOW Follow your favorites