After absorbing a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game, the Kansas City Chiefs will now shift their focus on making moves in the upcoming offseason. The Chiefs don't have to do a complete retooling of their roster since they have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and a number of other talented players on the roster, but the front office will still need to fill in the holes they have, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
After seeing a disappointing end to their campaign, many can expect Kansas City to acquire key pieces to bolster the team in order for them to make it back to the promised land as soon as possible. With that said, let's take a look at three potential free agent signings for the Chiefs in the upcoming 2022 NFL offseason.
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Kansas City Chiefs free agent targets in 2022 NFL offseason
One of the biggest holes the Chiefs have on their roster is their need for another pass rusher who can play opposite of Frank Clark on their defensive line. An intriguing talent they can take a look at would be Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who reemerged as a strong option in the 2021 season.
The three-time Pro Bowler bumped his numbers from last season by producing 37 combined tackles, 9.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 14 games as a starter. His production on the field also complemented the development of star Myles Garrett, who continues to tear up the league as one of its best defenders.
Yes, Clowney may have struggled in the past due to several injuries, but he is gradually gaining momentum and reestablishing himself as a reliable player. Additionally, he is still just 28 years old, so he should have some strong years left ahead of him.
After a resurgent 2021 campaign, there is no doubt that there is mutual interest for Clowney to go back to the Browns for another tour of duty. However, the Chiefs can still call the veteran's number and put an offer on the table just in case he changes his mind and finds himself wanting to play for another team moving forward.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster nearly signed with the Chiefs last offseason but returned to the Steelers on a one-year, $8 million deal. Unfortunately, his 2021 campaign was limited because of shoulder surgery. He finished with a total of 129 receiving yards on 15 receptions without a touchdown scored in five appearances, and he caught five passes for 26 yards in the playoff loss to Kansas City.
After tallying lackluster numbers amid an injury-riddled campaign, he will have to settle for playing on another prove-it deal with a team that is willing to take a risk on him next season. The situation presents a good opportunity for the Chiefs to acquire Smith-Schuster, who just needs to get back on track as far as his health and consistency are concerned.
It wouldn't hurt Kansas City to shell out a short-term deal to give Mahomes another weapon on offense.
1. Kyle Fuller
On the defensive side of the ball, another gaping hole to fill for the Chiefs is the cornerback position. Yes, they have capable players in Charvarius Ward and L'Jarius Sneed, but they need more talents in order to improve the depth of the unit for next season.
A player they can potentially target is Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller, who was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, his level of production dropped, which led him to sign a one-year, $9.5 million contract to play for the Broncos for the 2021 season.
Fuller still played in 16 games, but he was no longer a full-time starter (started 10 of 16 games) like before as he recorded 51 combined tackles and four passes defended without an interception. Like the other players, Fuller is also expected to be signed to another short-term, bargain deal, so the Chiefs could take a chance here. The acquisition could potentially pay significant dividends if the cornerback manages to carve a role for himself and thrive under the system of DC Steve Spagnuolo moving forward.
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