AP

Once the new league year begins on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, players restricted by the franchise tag can start entertaining offers from teams that would be willing: (1) to pay them a lot of money; and (2) to give up two first-round draft picks to make it happen.

It’s highly unusual for franchise players to be signed to offer sheets, because teams regard any unused first-round picks as potential Hall of Fame players. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston could become the exception, for various reasons.

First, he enters the process after completing a 22-sack season. No player with that kind of performance has been available on the heels of it, with or without compensation.

Second, he’s motivated to move on. Per multiple sources, Houston is very upset with the Chiefs. It’s believed that he’ll actively solicit an offer sheet in the hopes the Chiefs won’t match it.

If an offer sheet doesn’t happen before the 2015 draft, something could happen after the draft, because at that point a team signing him would give up first-round picks in 2016 and 2017. For a coach or G.M. who may be fired at the end of the season, giving up draft picks they may not be there to use is a small price to pay.

As previously explained, Houston is considering staying away from the Chiefs until Week 10 of the regular season, the deadline for showing up and completing enough of the season to become a free agent next year.