The Kansas City Chiefs had a disappointing end to what had otherwise been another dominant season, as they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.
Despite this setback, the Chiefs are still favorites to win it all next season. As long as they have Patrick Mahomes under center and his elite weapons, they will be contenders for the foreseeable future. Mahomes signed a monster 10-year, $450,000,000 with Kansas City last year and while that amount is huge it is worth it with the kind of player Mahomes is and will be. Last March 12, Mahomes made a big play for his team, when he agreed to restructure his deal, which effectively gave the Chiefs approximately $17,000,000 more in cap space next season.
Below are four bold predictions for the current Kansas City offseason.
Have more receiver depth
It's hard to believe that the team with the most passing yards in the league would need more receivers, but with Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson hitting free agency it has. If the organization feels speedster Mecole Hardman can fill the hole left by Watkins then well and good. If not, the Chiefs can dip their hands in free agency or the draft.
The good thing about finding Watkins' replacement is that he will have a lot of open looks playing alongside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Preferably, Kansas City picks up a low-risk signing with little or no injury history. Anyway, even if the acquisition has a limited ceiling, he still has an opportunity to have the most production in his career, since defenses won't key in on him.
Add consistent edge rusher
Frank Clark finished the regular season with six sacks and two passes defended. While those numbers are not bad, you certainly expect more from one of the highest-paid defenders in the NFL. Defensive tackle Chris Jones had 7.5 sacks and four passes defended and continues to be one of the strengths of the team's defense.
Aside from Clark and Jones, one would be hard-pressed to find anyone else on the roster that generates pressure. Edge rusher is a big need for the team. Since the Chiefs have an incendiary offense, the team is used to playing with a lead.
This means that most opposing teams have to pass the ball more often and more aggressively just to keep up. Therefore, the edge rusher the team signs can afford to be below average against the run, as long as he can get to the quarterback, although ideally, he should be able to occasionally set the edge in run plays so his teammates can make plays.
Improve the linebacker corps
Kansas City linebackers were exposed in the Super Bowl as they conceded 145 rushing yards. Tampa Bay running Bucs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones ran all over the defense and Tom Brady regularly found receivers in the middle of the field. Adding speed and athleticism to the unit could prevent similar things from happening.
Linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Willie Gay will most likely be starters again, but Damien Wilson is hitting free agency. The Chiefs could use an upgrade over Wilson's position. For this spot, the team might look to the draft more than free agency, as there is not much depth in this year's class.
While there are free agent options, there are not too many options within the budget, who can stay on the field for three downs. There are run stoppers like Denzel Perryman and coverage specialists such as Kevin Pierre-Louis, but none that combine their best traits, who can fit in the salary cap.
Offensive line won't be offensive
Arguably the biggest reason for the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss was the inability of the offensive line to protect Mahomes, as he looked like a running back and for all the wrong reasons. Granted the line was decimated by injuries.
This offseason the front office decided to cut two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Eric Fisher and former All-Pro right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. This will be a major blow to the unit, but both players are in their 30s and more importantly sustained major injuries last season. Even starting center Austin Reiter is will be a free agent.
Despite this, there are still some reasons to be optimistic. Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and tackle Lucas Niang will be back next season. While the two won't make the line elite by any stretch of the imagination, they do project as net positives. There are several underrated offensive linemen the front office can snag for around $5,000,000 each and the team might find some steals in the draft. Hopefully, the unit can gel together just in time for the season opener.
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