The Kansas City Chiefs let a 21-3 lead slip away in the AFC Championship Game to the Cincinnati Bengals, losing 27-24 in overtime. In the process, Kansas City became the first team in NFL history to host four straight conference title games, having won the two in the middle. They were only minutes away from reaching their third straight Super Bowl.

Clearly, this team is right there knocking on the door for another championship. But there are still some serious questions they must answer this offseason.

Here are the 3 moves the Kansas City Chiefs must make during the 2022 NFL offseason.

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3 Moves the Chiefs Must Make This Offseason

3. IMPROVE THE PASS RUSH

Kansas City's pass rush was far too inconsistent in 2021. At times, Frank Clark and company looked dominant. Other times, they seemed non-existent. Football is a complicated game, but it still can be boiled down to two things; protect your quarterback and apply pressure to theirs.

On paper, edge rushers Chris Jones and Frank Clark make up one of the best tandems in the NFL. But games are not played on paper. Clark finished with his lowest sack total, four and a half, since his rookie season in 2015. Clark was a bit better, but disappeared in the playoffs.

The Chiefs would do themselves well if they can add another elite edge rusher. Calais Campbell might be just what the doctor ordered. He is long in the tooth and coming off not one of his best seasons. So, Kansas City could likely sign him for much less than the $15 million he made last season. Seeing as he would only be rotated in, he can stay fresh and have a stronger impact.

2. ADD A LEGIT WIDE RECEIVER TO LINE UP OPPOSITE TYREEK HILL

The Chiefs have been in desperate need of a second wide receiver they can line up opposite Tyreek Hill. They had hoped either Mecole Hardman or Byron Pringle to take up that role this past season, to no avail. Both players made their presence felt at times during the year. But neither did so consistently. Kansas City previously tried filling that role with Sammy Watkins, but that did not work out either.

This season, Hill saw a lot more cover 2 and double coverage. Teams schemed ways to limit his ability to take over the game. When that happens, needs someone else on the outside that can take advantage of the single coverage.

Someone like Emmanuel Sanders could be a good fit. Sanders is coming off a bit of an injury-plagued season, which will limit his price. But he is a proven veteran who knows what it takes to win. He helped Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl a few years back. Until his injuries cropped up, Sanders still showed he has some burst and the ability to get open.

1. BRING BACK TYRANN MATHIEU AT ALL COSTS

The most important move this offseason is by far re-signing Tyrann Mathieu. He was arguably the best and most important player on the Chiefs defense yet again last season. Mathieu is the signal caller for Kansas City's defense. When he is on the field, they are a different unit.

Mathieu is set to become an unrestricted free agent. If he hits the open market next month, teams will probably line up to acquire his services. So, the Chiefs could slap the franchise tag on him. But that would only be a stop-gap option and a costly one at that. They would be better served offering a multi-year deal and pay him what he is worth.

Starting strong safety Daniel Sorensen is also about to become an unrestricted free agent. It's highly unlikely the team will be able to bring both players back. So, if they had to choose, they must re-sign the “honey badger.” But assuming that happens, losing Sorensen is a big deal. He is a big-time playmaker. When a big play is needed from the Chiefs defense, Sorensen was that player many times.

If Kansas City breaks the bank on Mathieu and lose Sorensen, Falcons' strong safety Duron Harmon might be a decent replacement. He is coming off another strong year in Atlanta and will probably cost quite a bit less.

Overall, the Chiefs are in a good place this offseason. But the couple questions they must answer are big ones. How they answer those questions will determine if this team can earn a fifth straight trip to the AFC title game.