[KC Chiefs.com] The Chiefs landed free-agent cornerback Stanford Routt today with a three-year contract that will pay him about $20 million and guarantees him $6 million in 2012.

Routt, 28, who was released recently by the Raiders in a cost-cutting move, will be the projected starting cornerback opposite Brandon Flowers.

Brandon Carr, the other starting cornerback for the past four seasons, has no contract for 2012 and will become a free agent on March 13.

The Chiefs were unable last year to extend the contracts of Carr and one of their other better young potential free agents, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. The team was looking at effectively keeping one of those players off the free-agent market by making him the franchise player but risked losing the other if they couldn’t re-sign him by the start of free agency on March 13.

In signing Routt, it appears the Chiefs have made their decision to place the franchise tag on Bowe. Routt’s contract is for starter’s money, so Carr is likely headed for free agency.