The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Kansas City Chiefs. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
With 3 titles in 5 seasons, the Chiefs don't have much left to prove in 2024. And yet, this season could well be the most important in the history of the franchise. Because Kansas City is aiming for nothing less than a historic triple. 3 titles in 3 years, no one has done it. What if Patrick Mahomes and his gang succeeded?
Although the title is still a long way off, the Chiefs have given themselves the means to believe in it.
Last season: 11 wins – 6 losses, 1er AFC West, NFL champion
Off-season moves
Notable Arrivals: Carson Wentz (QB), Marquise Brown (WR), Irv Smith (TE), Matt Araiza (P)
Draft: Xavier Worthy (WR), Kingsley Suamataia (OT), Jared Wiley (TE), Jaden Hicks (S), Hunter Nourzad (C), Kamal Hadden (CB), CJ Hanson (C/G)
Notable departures: L'Jarius Sneed (CB), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), Donovan Smith (OT), Nick Allegretti (G), Willie Gay (LB), Mike Edwards (S), Tommy Townsend (P)
How to improve a two-time defending champion squad? While the task for Kansas City's leaders was not easy, they nevertheless made a “clear” choice: strengthen the attack at the “detriment” of the defense.
Indeed, the Chiefs decided to bring in Marquise Brown and put their first draft pick on Xavier Worthy in order to strengthen a receiving corps that was a problem for a long time last year.
In return, Kansas City had to let Willie Gay and especially L'Jarius Sneed go, who established himself last year as one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
The Kansas City Chiefs' All-Star Team
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes – Running back: Isiah Pacheco – Receivers: Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice – Tight end: Travis Kelce – Offensive Line (left to right): Kingsley Suamataia, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor
Defensive Line: George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Danna – Linebackers: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal – Cornerbacks: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson – Safeties: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook
Kansas City Chiefs highlights
For once, let's start with the coaches. With Andy Reid (head coach) and Steve Spagnuolo (defensive coordinator), the Chiefs have a squad of coaches who know how to win, manage a team (not always so easy…) and who are also great strategists in their fields. In a league where coaches are easy fuses, Kansas City can rely on its coaching squad without worries.
Then, the Chiefs can count on the best quarterback in the league: Patrick Mahomes. Even when he may seem to be struggling (like last year), number 15 has the talent to make the difference at any time as he proved again in the last Super Bowl. With Mahomes, Kansas City is automatically a title contender.
Unsurprisingly for the reigning champions, Kansas City can count on many talented players in all squads: Travis Kelce, Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, Chris Jones, … Players among the best in their position and who can change the course of a game. An imperative condition to win in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs Weaknesses
Excluding the outside of the offensive line (covered later in this piece), there are a few apparent weaknesses in this roster. The first is the lack of certainty at cornerback with the departure of L'Jarius Sneed.
The second is the lack of certainty regarding the new receivers and their chemistry with Mahomes.
However, these two points can be put into perspective by the ability of coaching to bring out talents and/or choose the patterns to get the most out of them.
Finally, the Chiefs' roster is less deep than other title contenders (49ers, Eagles, etc.). Rather spared from injuries last year, Kansas City could have a hard time recovering from an injury to Chris Jones or Trent McDuffie, for example.
The X Factor: The Tackle Pair
Perceived by many as the team's weak point (and rightly so), the outside of the offensive line could well be the X-factor, especially in Kansas City's quest for a three-peat, this season.
Last year, Jawaan Taylor and Donavan Smith were huge disappointments and put the Chiefs' offense in trouble more than once. Both tackles had a lot of penalties (false starts) and poor performances all season.
In 2024, this could change. On the one hand, it is unlikely that Jawaan Taylor will do worse than in 2023. We can even imagine that after a year of experience in his new team, Taylor could progress and make fewer mistakes. In addition, Kansas City got its hands on Kinglsey Suamataia during the last draft. Blessed with exceptional athletic qualities, the Utah native nevertheless still needs to improve on his technique.
If Taylor progresses and Suamataia is at the level expected, then the team's offensive line will be strengthened. Mahomes will be able to play with more serenity. Scary in perspective.
Player to watch: Xavier Worthy
We start with the receivers and the rookie Xavier Worthy. Selected at 1er round of the draft, without being unanimous, the receiver must revive a squad that disappointed, part of the season, last year (at least a large part of the season).
Without a No. 1 receiver since Tyreek Hill's departure, Kansas City is looking for a new reference at the position. Can Worthy be it? He has the speed. But is it enough? You can make up your own mind by rereading our draft profile on Xavier Worthy.
The receiver could face a little more pressure given Rashee Rice's legal troubles and Marquise Brown's shoulder issues in the preseason opener, situations that could lead to Worthy being used as a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver sooner than expected.
Of course, playing for Andy Reid and catching passes from Mahomes might make life easier for the former Texas standout.
Kansas City Chiefs Schedule
Ravens, Bengals, @Falcons, @Chargers, Saints, BYE, @49ers, @Raiders, Buccaneers, Broncos, @Bills, @Panthers, Raiders, Chargers, @Browns, Texans, @Steelers, @Broncos
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the Chiefs are bound to be title contenders. While the defense seems to have weakened a bit, the offense should be better than last year. So it's a Chiefs team that's pretty confident in its strengths that's going into the quest for the triple.
Ultimately, it may be this historic goal that could well be the hardest to achieve for the men from Missouri. Between the physical and mental energy required, as well as the luck factor inherent in any champion, it is no coincidence that no team has achieved the triple. This priesthood could become the burden of the Chiefs in 2024.
