The 2023 season has just ended, and on February 20, the 2024 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes this opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agents to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Three, a number reached, and to be reached. After winning their third Super Bowl in 5 years, the Chiefs franchise is aiming for three in a row (three-peat) in 2024. No team in NFL history has achieved this.
The objective is therefore clear: to be the first team in history to achieve it. To do this, it will be necessary to go through an offseason where the goal is to help Patrick Mahomes. The quarterback may reach the heights, but he won't get there alone.
In 2024, the 31 teams will be motivated by the idea of facing them and beating them. To prevent this, the Chiefs will have to innovate. President Clark Hunt and general manager Brett Veach have often been praised for their management and smart choices. Another challenge awaits them, keeping this team at the top and allowing it to enter NFL history in a unique way.
The captains
- Patrick Mahomes (QB)
- Travis Kelce (TE)
- Trent McDuffie (BC)
There is no longer any need to introduce this magical duo. The Patrick Mahomes – Travis Kelce pair is the basis of the Chiefs’ recent successes. Both men did not have regular seasons worthy of the best NFL players. However, in the playoffs, it's another matter to face them. The proof with last season where, each time outsiders, they managed to turn the tide of a match by both being effective.
Unlike their early years, this pair can now rely on their defense. If Chris Jones obviously has a huge part in these successes (notably during the last Super Bowl), the defense bears the mark of the young people who are key players today. The most notable being Trent McDuffie. The versatile cornerback is having a high-flying 2023 season and begins his career with two Super Bowls already. A rarity and a new winning choice of front office of the Chiefs.
The undesirables
- Brands Valdes-Scantling (WR)
- Kadarius Toney (WR)
- Justin Reid (S)
The attack did not shine during the regular season in 2023. Obviously, the undesirables are on this side of the field. Marques Valdes-Scantling can still boast of being a decisive player in the playoffs, the observation is that his performance in relation to his contract is insufficient. Plus, cutting him would save the franchise nearly $12 million. Important if we can find a better receiver on the market than the veteran.
The same cannot be said of his teammate in the same position Kadarius Toney. Collecting pans and poor performances since his arrival in the NFL, the former Giant should no longer be a Chief in 2024. Unless Andy Reid continues to believe in him…
On the other hand, Justin Reid is in the same situation as Marques Valdez-Scantling. The reasons are as much economic as sporting. The former Texans safety will earn $15 million in 2024. By cutting him, the Chiefs would save $11 million. In the sporting field, its cut will not impact an efficient defense. He is even the player who has conceded the most touchdowns in the squad with seven units.
Man of the Summer: Rashee Rice (WR)
Couldn't the Chiefs need a receiver this offseason? Selected in the 2nd round of the 2023 Draft, Rashee Rice showed during the season that he could be reliable for Patrick Mahomes. Flirting with 1000 yards for his first professional season (938), he has the ability to become another possession target in addition to Travis Kelce.
In a squad of low quality receivers, the rookie raised his level in the second half of the season, even if it meant eclipsing the tight end. His match against the Dolphins in the playoffs for his first in this context is his first reference. In the quest for excellence advocated by his team, he will be an increasingly important asset in Andy Reid's aerial scheme. It is now up to him to become more regular and take over from Travis Kelce who is getting closer to the end of his career (35 years old in 2024).
Main free agents
1. Chris Jones (DT)
2. L'Jarius Sneed (CB)
3. Willie Gay (LB)
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)
5. Mecole Hardman (WR)
Other free agents: Donovan Smith (OT), Mike Danna (EDGE), Drue Tranquill (LB), Mike Edwards (S), Derrick Nnadi (DT), Tommy Townsend (P), Richie James (WR), Tershawn Wharton (DT ), Jerick McKinnon (RB), Nick Allegretti (OL), Blake Bell (TE)
Chris Jones has said he wants to stay, and the Chiefs want him to stay. It therefore remains a priority for the leaders of the Chiefs. A logical continuation given the consistency embodied by the best defender in the squad in recent seasons. A franchise tag could be used on him, in order perhaps to better agree on a long-term extension.
If this is not the case and they manage to reach an agreement quickly, the franchise tag could go to L'Jarius Sneed. The cornerback was decisive during the playoffs and managed to forget Charvarius Ward. He also wants to stay at the Chiefs, but he will have to front office line up the dollars because a lot of teams would be interested.
Apart from them, the other players could only be extended for short contracts. We can think of Willie Gay, experienced linebacker. But, given the profiles recruited by the Chiefs during the last off-seasons in this position (Chenal, Bolton), seeing him leave would not be surprising. Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman could be in the same situation. Appreciated by managers and Patrick Mahomes, the receiver could be offered a nice contract without impacting the Chiefs' finances.
Needs
1. Offensive Tackle
2. Receiver
3. Cornerback
4. Safety
5. Defensive Tackle
Patrick Mahomes is a genius, we know that. He can move and can throw on the move accurately. But, at some point, the pocket will have to be clean. It is clear that at the Chiefs, this has still not been the case. Jawaan Taylor is not satisfactory, and after him, they are only rotation players (Niang, Morris). The need is therefore necessary for there to be a holder from week 1.
Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, what next? Not much. Skyy Moore is in the infirmary a lot and Justin Watson can play the rotation and deep threat. Despite everything, the Chiefs still have not replaced Tyreek Hill as a deep threat to exploit Mahomes' arm. A receiver with this profile is therefore expected.
In defense, the second curtain will need experience and new blood. Uncertain, the situation of Chris Jones could push the leaders of the Chiefs to examine a defensive tackle. However, even with the Chiefs player in the squad in 2024, someone will need to support him with internal pressure.
The target: Tyron Smith (OT, Cowboys)
While waiting for the emergence of Wanya Morris, if the Chiefs want to achieve the treble, they will have to surround themselves with experienced players at line level.
With the Donovan Smith experience mixed, the Chiefs will have to improve in quality to be able to protect Mahomes. Tyron Smith has spent his entire career with the Cowboys and is preparing to discover a new team. Even though he is older than Donovan Smith, he could serve as a mentor to the young Morris, who is supposed to take over in the long term.
Even if his recent injury history is significant, his 13 seasons of protecting Dak Prescott in a qualitative manner could allow Mahomes to (finally) have a quality, and more reliable, left tackle.
New blood: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
Mentioned above, the deep threat almost no longer exists in the Chiefs' game. With the announced return of Eric Bieniemy, perhaps Andy Reid will want to open the game book again. More conservative during the last two seasons which led to the title, the coach would undoubtedly like to have some spectacle again in attack.
For this, you would need a receiver combining speed/acceleration, capable of separation, and with reliable hands. This player exists in the 2024 Draft, and his name is Brian Thomas Jr. The LSU receiver had a huge 2023 season with a mobile quarterback who knows how to throw deep. In 2023, he is the leading receiver in touchdowns and averages 17.3 yards per reception.
With Mahomes, the receiver would play in a system he knows well. Brian Thomas Jr.'s ability to accelerate is probably what's best in this 2024 vintage. Conversely, with him, Patrick Mahomes could have found his new Tyreek Hill.
