The Kansas City Chiefs lost a huge chunk of their offense when they traded away superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Hill had eclipsed the 1200-yard mark in three of the last four seasons, emerging as a true gamebreaker and one of the more elite playmakers in the league during that period of time. Unfortunately, Hill and the Chiefs could not agree on a contract extension- and just like that, one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite weapons was shown the door.
The Chiefs, who still have star tight end Travis Kelce on the roster, didn't just sit back. They improved. Kansas City brought in free agent wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marques Valdes-Scantling, while drafting speedy receiver Skyy Mooe in the second round of the NFL Draft.
They also possess a promising undrafted free agent wideout in Justyn Ross, who was once thought to be a future first-round pick. Clearly, there's talent on the roster.
But will it be enough to replace Hill? Here's why the Chiefs will not only replace Hill but be a better offense in 2022 without the Dolphins star.
2 Reasons Chiefs Offense Will Be Better Without Tyreek Hill
2. Mahomes and the Chiefs have more depth
There's no doubt that the Chiefs lost one of the very best wideouts in the NFL. After all, Hill made the Pro Bowl in all six seasons in Kansas City and was named an All-Pro in three of those campaigns.
Still, it's hard to deny that the Chiefs now have more depth at wide receiver. The incumbent Mecole Hardman, who tweaked a hamstring at OTAs, remains on the roster after putting up a career-high 693 receiving yards in 2021.
While technically not a receiver, tight end Travis Kelce may as well be one, with six straight 1000-yard seasons to his name. The always-reliable Kelce will be just that again in 2022, this time as the top dog in the offense.
Additionally, the Chiefs signed former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster and former Green Bay Packers burner Marquez Valdes-Scantling, both of whom should immediately step into large roles for Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Second-round pick Skyy Moore, who tallied 1292 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore for Western Michigan, should get his chances to contribute, especially when the Chiefs operate in four or five-wide receiver sets.
The Chiefs may not have a true number-one wideout with Hill in Miami. However, there are seemingly more ways to attack a defense with the playmakers they do have, something Mahomes himself alluded to.
1. Mahomes will be motivated to prove they can be better without Hill
Sometimes it's about more than numbers or players' names on a depth chart. Sometimes it's about something that can't be measured.
Since he has entered the league, Mahomes has been regarded as one of the best pure throwers of the football in the NFL- and one of the most dangerous in and out of the pocket.
Mahomes and the Chiefs endured a tough AFC Championship loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals, a game which they were leading 21-10 at the half. Their normally explosive offense? Nowhere to be found in the second half, as they mustered just three points while the Bengals stormed back to earn a Super Bowl berth.
It's safe to say that the star quarterback and his team still have a bad taste in their mouths about that loss. If that wasn't enough motivation, now they have to listen to the narrative that they won't be the same offense without Hill?
No disrespect to Hill, but that will be all the motivation Patrick Mahomes needs to go out there and show that this offense is still one to be feared.
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