Offseason In Review: Kansas City Chiefs

Though the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl IV staff and a number of different squads from that interval housed a whopping six Corridor of Fame defenders, it’s secure to say the Andy Reid–Patrick Mahomes stretch represents the franchise’s peak. The Chiefs, who entered the 2017 season having by no means gained back-to-back AFC West titles, enter 2022 with six straight division crowns. Throughout the Mahomes leg of this reign, the Chiefs haven’t encountered a lot divisional resistance. They’ve change into the one staff to host 4 consecutive convention championship video games.

However the remainder of the division spent the offseason loading as much as problem the Chiefs, whose 2022 version will look a bit totally different. Reid and GM Brett Veach moved two cornerstone gamers — Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu — off the roster, buying and selling Hill and letting Mathieu stroll in free company. Kansas Metropolis was busy at each positions this offseason. How a lot will these retooling efforts and rivals’ big-ticket strikes — one in all which having a direct influence on the Chiefs’ plans — influence the perennial Tremendous Bowl contenders’ 2022 season?

Trades:

The Chiefs had begun Hill extension talks within the weeks main as much as free company. One yr remained on the field-tilting speedster’s contract. However the Raiders quickly acquired Davante Adams from the Packers, altering the equation not only for Hill however for your complete large receiver market. The Chiefs balked at Hill’s new calls for, which elevated after Adams agreed to a then-receiver-record $28MM-per-year deal. Kansas Metropolis rapidly pivoted to the commerce market, resulting in Jets and Dolphins presents. After a Jets proposal — one which didn’t characteristic any first-round picks however included two second-rounders — practically despatched Hill to New York, the Dolphins got here in with a commerce together with the No. 29 general decide and an extension (4 years, $120MM) that topped Adams’ accord.

Of the offseason’s marquee wideout trades, Hill fetched his former staff probably the most when it comes to compensation. At 28, Hill is greater than a yr youthful than Adams and possesses a skillset pairing traditionally elite velocity with legit receiving chops — one thing most gamers in Hill’s velocity realm have lacked all through NFL annals. Hill will now entrust his Corridor of Fame push to Tua Tagovailoa, whereas the Chiefs shall be tasked with an attention-grabbing restart on the place.

It stays fascinating a Chiefs rival modified the AFC West kingpins’ path with one in all their finest gamers. Hill stated he didn’t ask the Chiefs for an extension that topped Adams’ AAV however did ask the staff for a deal within the $25-$26MM-AAV vary. An important piece throughout Alex Smith‘s ultimate Chiefs season and to start out Mahomes’ fast ascent, Hill grew to become an All-Professional on a Day 3 contract. The 2019 child-abuse scandal, which got here years after a home violence arrest ultimately dropped Hill to the 2016 fifth spherical, practically led to a Chiefs divorce. However after no NFL suspension emerged, the staff welcomed its deep risk again and gave him an $18MM-per-year deal — on a team-friendly construction because of his second off-field controversy. Hill outplayed that deal, stringing collectively three extra Professional Bowl seasons. However the Chiefs joined the Packers and Titans in letting one other staff pay their high large receiver on the new WR1 going fee.

This separation may very well be a seminal second on the Chiefs’ timeline, contemplating the eye defenses paid to Hill. Groups more and more moved to forestall Mahomes-to-Hill deep strikes final season, one thing that the receiver later confirmed brought about inside frustration. This commerce represents the largest offensive change of the Mahomes period and presents some threat, given the Chiefs’ momentum and non-Hill points on the place since Reid arrived.

Reid’s different receiver investments in Kansas Metropolis have largely not labored out. The 2013 Dwayne Bowe extension backfired, because the earlier Chiefs WR1’s expertise deteriorated rapidly, and the Chiefs minimize bait on Jeremy Maclin after two seasons. Sammy Watkins got here up huge in spots, however frequent accidents suffered in Kansas Metropolis have led to the previous top-five decide’s worth freefall. Drafted within the second spherical whereas Hill was barred from the staff’s facility, Mecole Hardman has not panned out. Although, the fourth-year wideout might have a extra distinguished position because the staff makes an attempt an attention-grabbing post-Hill wideout configuration.

The Johnson flier resembles these the Chiefs took on former first-round cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Deandre Baker. A 2019 second-rounder, Johnson has one yr remaining on his rookie contract. He’s coming off a career-best three interceptions in 2021, however the younger DB — whom the Texans used at nook and security — fell out of favor in Houston. Professional Soccer Focus considered Johnson as one of many NFL’s worst defensive backs throughout his Texans tenure. The superior metrics web site graded Johnson because the league’s worst major cornerback in 2019 and slotted him as (by far) the league’s worst security contributor final season, serving to clarify the 2024 seventh-round return.

Notable signings:

• Justin Reid, S. Three years, $31.5MM. $20.49MM assured.
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR. Three years, $30MM. $8.56MM assured.
• J.J. Smith-Schuster, WR. One yr, $3.25MM. $2.49MM assured.
• Andrew Wylie, OL. One yr, $2.54MM. $2.54MM assured.
• Derrick Nnadi, DT. One yr, $2.75MM. $2.5MM assured.
• Chad Henne, QB. One yr, $2MM. $2MM assured.
• Jermaine Carter, LB. One yr, $1.77MM. $1.77MM assured.
• Geron Christian, T. One yr, $1.19MM. $1MM assured.
• Ronald Jones, RB. One yr, $1.5MM. $750K assured.
• Taylor Stallworth, DT. One yr, $1.19MM. $300K assured.
• Austin Reiter, OL. One yr, $1MM.
• Jerick McKinnon, RB. One yr, $1MM.

As Tyrann Mathieu lingered in free company, the Chiefs rapidly signaled they weren’t bringing him again for a fourth season by committing to Reid throughout the authorized tampering interval. Mathieu had additionally made a Houston-to-Kansas Metropolis trek, although Reid performed his total rookie contract with the Texans. Professional Soccer Focus barely rated Reid above Johnson final yr, grading the previous because the sixth-worst full-time security. PFF supplied a lot better assessments for the previous third-round decide throughout his first two seasons, when the Texans booked playoff spots.

Whereas the Chiefs are saving cash right here in comparison with Mathieu’s $14MM-per-year deal, the confirmed veteran is just tied to a $9MM-AAV contract with the Saints. Reid, nevertheless, is 5 years youthful, at 25. DC Steve Spagnuolo will wager on the participant with extra prime years remaining.

Following the Reid accord, the Chiefs started work on their receiving corps. For a brief stretch, it seemed like Smith-Schuster would complement Hill. The wideouts overlapped as Chiefs teammates for over every week, and contemplating the Raiders extension’s impact on the AFC West champs, it may be assumed Kansas Metropolis no less than envisioned a actuality by which ex-Pittsburgh slot expertise performed alongside Hill and Travis Kelce. Smith-Schuster now stands to play a extra essential position for the Chiefs, however they’ve eyed the previous Professional Bowler for a bit now.

The Chiefs completed second within the Smith-Schuster sweepstakes final yr; the USC product prioritized familiarity with the Steelers to higher place him for the 2022 market. That call backfired. Ben Roethlisberger continued to say no, however Smith-Schuster was not there to see a lot of that deterioration manifest because of the Week 5 shoulder harm he suffered. Nonetheless, Andy Reid making an attempt to lure him final yr and coming again to the desk in 2022 — regardless of JuJu’s five-game season — is notable. The Chiefs haven’t had a constant slot weapon throughout Mahomes’ time, although Hill would align there at factors. Nonetheless simply 25, Smith-Schuster has not been in a position to replicate the 2018 dominance he displayed alongside Antonio Brown, failing to return inside 500 yards of that 1,431-yard yr. However being paired with one of many recreation’s finest quarterbacks and arguably its premier play-caller may reignite him.

Shortly after the Hill commerce, the Chiefs poached the Packers’ high vertical risk. Valdes-Scantling has not caught greater than 38 passes in a season, however the 2018 fifth-round decide’s deep capabilities produced a market. The Packers bowed out however had been eager about preserving him. MVS led the NFL with a 20.9 yards-per-catch quantity in 2020, when he caught six landing passes. Like Hill, Valdes-Scantling has handled drop points. He completed sixth in drop fee in 2020 however largely curbed that drawback final season. Regardless of coming into the league three years after Hill, MVS, 28, is only some months youthful.

This contract doubles as a prove-it deal, with the Chiefs not guaranteeing something into Yr 2. Solely Valdes-Scantling’s prorated signing bonus would rely as useless cash if the Chiefs moved on in 2023; they’d be tagged with $4MM in the event that they did so. For 2022, nevertheless, Valdes-Scantling shall be a reduced deep goal — albeit one with a bigger catch radius than Hill, resulting from a 6-foot-4 body. MVS joins Hardman and Skyy Moore as field-stretchers for the Chiefs, who will trot out a near-fully reshuffled receiving corps.

Wylie and Christian could also be battling for the staff’s proper sort out gig, a place that has seen inconsistency since Mitchell Schwartz‘s ironman streak ended throughout the 2020 marketing campaign. The Chiefs have locked-in starters at every of the opposite 4 O-line spots. PFF rated every of the Chiefs’ three right-edge choices, an inventory that additionally consists of 2020 third-rounder Lucas Niang, between sixtieth and seventieth at sort out final season. Christian began eight video games for the Texans in 2021. Niang won’t issue prominently within the upcoming coaching camp competitors. The 2020 COVID-19 opt-out suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 17 of final season. Its proper sort out scenario is much from supreme, however Kansas Metropolis does have one of many league’s most enviable O-line conditions on the entire.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not delivered on the staff’s first-round funding, with accidents taking part in a major half in his NFL stumbles. The Chiefs determine to present Jones a possibility to work as a between-the-tackles complement to Edwards-Helaire, who has, counting the playoffs, missed 14 video games in two years. Bruce Arians diminished Jones’ obligations late within the 2020 season, turning to Leonard Fournette, who dominated the Buccaneers’ backfield in 2021. However Jones, earlier than being diminished for “Playoff Lenny,” amassed 978 speeding yards (5.1 per carry) in 14 video games two seasons in the past. McKinnon took over because the Chiefs’ major postseason again. Though the injury-prone veteran doubtless won’t be in line for prime contact volumes throughout many video games, he represents one other Edwards-Helaire complement/competitor.

Notable losses:

• Austin Blythe, C
• Anthony Hitchens, LB (launched)
• Mike Hughes, CB
• Melvin Ingram, DE (signed with Dolphins after receiving Chiefs UFA tender)
• Kyle Lengthy, G
• Tyrann Mathieu, S
• Ben Niemann, LB
• Byron Pringle, WR
• Jarran Reed, DT
• Mike Remmers, T
• Demarcus Robinson, WR
• Daniel Sorensen, S
• Charvarius Ward, CB
• Darrel Williams, RB

The Chiefs’ large receiver reorganization venture has obtained extra consideration, however the staff additionally bid farewell to its high two secondary items. Mathieu lived as much as the profitable contract he signed in 2019, whereas Ward developed into the staff’s high cornerback after it handed on extending Marcus Peters. Kansas Metropolis addressed these positions, however changing the exiting abilities might take time.

It may be simply argued the Chiefs price themselves a second Mahomes-era Tremendous Bowl title due to defensive staffing in 2018. Mahomes’ stratospheric debut was largely essential to prop up one of many NFL’s worst defenses, a unit that might not cease the Patriots in an AFC championship traditional. Mathieu was the largest back-seven difference-maker within the years that adopted. Poor begins to seasons plagued the Chiefs’ protection, however Mathieu’s versatility helped stabilize the group — notably throughout a 2019 season that noticed Spagnuolo’s first Kansas Metropolis unit rework right into a dependable crew down the stretch. Mathieu earned All-Professional acclaim that season and for his 2020 contributions.

The security/slot participant’s jack-of-all-trades routine revived his profession after it had drifted astray in Arizona. It’s actually attention-grabbing the Chiefs bailed on the Honey Badger this yr, contemplating the midlevel pact required for the Saints to carry him house. Mathieu stated the Chiefs didn’t supply him an extension.

Underneath Andy Reid, the Chiefs have largely handed on cornerback funds. The staff did signal Sean Smith throughout Reid’s first offseason (2013), however no different notable offers have commenced. Peters was traded, and Ward, Steven Nelson and Kendall Fuller ventured elsewhere in free company. It’s troublesome to argue with the grand scheme, however the staff — notably in video games in opposition to the 2021 Bengals — struggled in huge protection spots. PFF considered Ward as a top-25 nook final season, giving the previous UDFA-turned-multiyear starter his finest marks in 2021. The Chiefs’ Reid-era M.O. at this place makes it unsurprising they handed on retaining Ward, whom the 49ers gave a three-year, $42MM deal. Per standard, rookie-deal gamers will deal with Kansas Metropolis’s outdoors protection in 2022.

Ingram didn’t flash statistically, however the ex-Charger’s addition allowed the Chiefs to finish their ill-conceived Chris Jones-at-defensive finish experiment. The short-stinted Steeler notched two playoff sacks, and whereas the Chiefs tried to retain him through the seldom-used UFA tender, the Dolphins poached the previous Professional Bowler. Ingram’s exit leaves the Chiefs skinny at defensive finish.

They’re deeper at off-ball linebacker, with latest second-rounders Nick Bolton and Willie Homosexual set to guide that group. The Chiefs signed Hitchens throughout the identical offseason they gave Watkins a receiver-market-altering contract. Hitchens drew scrutiny, however the Chiefs obtained 4 starter seasons from him to offer respectable worth on a $9MM-AAV contract. Kansas Metropolis saved greater than $8MM by shedding it this yr.

Draft picks:

• 1-21: Trent McDuffie, CB (Washington)
• 1-30: George Karlaftis, DE (Purdue)
• 2-54: Skyy Moore, WR (Western Michigan)
• 2-62 Bryan Cook dinner, S (Cincinnati)
• 3-103 Leo Chenal, LB (Wisconsin)
• 4-135 Joshua Williams, CB (Fayetteville State)
• 5-145 Darian Kinnard, G (Kentucky)
• 7-243 Jaylen Watson, CB (Washington State)
• 7-251 Isaih Pacheco, RB (Rutgers)
• 7-259 Nazeeh Johnson, S (Marshall)

Though Nick Bolton, Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey‘s rookie-year showings instill extra confidence within the Veach-Reid draft course of after just a few unremarkable hauls, the Chiefs’ high two 2022 picks shall be requested to be full-timers at higher-profile positions instantly. The McDuffie choice clearly resembles the Chiefs’ Peters acquisition seven years in the past, each being first-round investments after Huskies careers. However Kansas Metropolis returned its No. 1 nook (Sean Smith) when it added Peters. Ward’s San Francisco defection makes McDuffie assimilating early extra essential.

The Spagnuolo-era Chiefs have generated reliable nook play from late-round or UDFA investments (Ward, Rashad Fenton, L’Jarius Sneed), however the staff ranked twenty seventh in move protection final season — bottoming out on Ja’Marr Chase‘s rookie-record 266-yard day. Utilizing its high offseason asset to land this draft’s No. 3-ranked nook is smart for a staff with rising bills elsewhere on its payroll.

Differing drastically from Peters’ profile, McDuffie didn’t produce a turnover final season and shall be requested to anchor a gaggle that can face the likes of Chase, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Davante Adams. It will be good if the Chiefs employed a bankable veteran complement as their 5-10 rookie steps straight right into a marquee position, however that isn’t how they roll at this place. Offseason hyperlinks to James Bradberry and Stephon Gilmore didn’t result in offers, placing McDuffie and two former Day 3 picks (Fenton, Sneed) below some stress.

A few of that stress comes from a move rush with questions. The Chiefs will pair Jones with an inconsistent edge anchor (Frank Clark) and a draft alternative. After an influence freshman season, Karlaftis missed a lot of the 2020 marketing campaign and totaled simply 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a junior. Extra of a strength- and effort-based prospect than one with engaging measurables and athleticism, Karlaftis — like McDuffie — won’t have the luxurious of being eased into the Chiefs’ lineup. The cabinet is naked behind the projected D-end starters. Barring an outdoor addition — Jason Pierre-Paul, Carlos Dunlap, Trey Flowers and Ryan Kerrigan can be found — the Purdue product will begin reverse Clark. Jones at D-tackle all yr ought to help the Chiefs’ rush, however after the staff registered 31 2021 sacks (twenty ninth), this group may use no less than a succesful rotational rusher.

Kansas Metropolis’s hyphenated employed weapons will permit Moore extra a neater NFL entrance, however Smith-Schuster, Valdes-Scantling and Hardman are all both in contract years or de facto contract years (in Valdes-Scantling’s case). Moore would be the solely present Chiefs wideout tied to Mahomes long-term.

Taking on as Western Michigan’s post-D’Wayne Eskridge receiving anchor, Moore tallied 1,292 yards and 10 TDs final season. Moore went two picks after the Steelers took George Pickens and one spot after the Colts nabbed Alec Pierce. Profiling as a slot participant and potential downfield presence, Moore landed in top-of-the-line potential spots. The JuJu-MVS-Hardman-Moore quartet will kind one of many NFL’s most attention-grabbing place teams this yr.

With Mathieu gone and Juan Thornhill in a contract yr, dot connecting to a long-term Cook dinner-Justin Reid security future is straightforward. Like Moore, Cook dinner shouldn’t must be a full-timer instantly. However Thornhill seemed nearer to his pre-ACL-tear model, in the end, in 2021. The 2019 second-rounder displaying that kind once more in a pivotal yr will give the Chiefs a nice-looking three-safety association. Then once more, the protection corps doesn’t look as formidable because it did with Mathieu.

Extensions and restructures:

A part of the explanation the Chiefs may miss Ingram: Clark didn’t dwell as much as the $21MM-per-year deal he signed upon being acquired through commerce in 2019. Clark notched 4.5 sacks in 14 video games final season and, after he salvaged his 2019 and ’20 seasons with eight mixed sacks in these playoffs, the ex-Seahawk didn’t notch any sacks throughout final yr’s postseason. Clark, who got here to Kansas Metropolis with off-field baggage, was additionally arrested twice on gun prices in 2021. With no suspension coming final yr, he’s a candidate to overlook time for these incidents in 2022.

However the Chiefs selected to run it again with the 29-year-old edge rusher, who once more shall be in line to be the staff’s high D-end. Clark opted to not strive his luck in the marketplace, and the brand new settlement will cut back his 2022 cap cost from $26MM to $13.7MM. That is successfully a Clark contract yr.

Different:

Kansas Metropolis deserves credit score for its 2021 offensive line overhaul. Lengthy-term starters seem in place at three spots, however the staff’s long-lens outlook with its left sort out now bears monitoring.

Brown passing on a six-year, $139MM deal is a daring transfer. The second-generation NFL blocker earned Professional Bowl acclaim in his Chiefs debut and might financial institution on the staff holding him in excessive regard based mostly on what it gave as much as purchase him (first-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks). However the former Ravens proper sort out shouldn’t be but a top-tier left-sider. The Chiefs supply’s five-year cashflow ($91MM) seems to mirror this view. The supply’s ensures usually are not recognized; solely the signing bonus ($30.25MM). After Hill and Adams allowed their new groups to make use of final-year dummy salaries to drive up their AAV figures, Brown nixing the Chiefs’ try at comparable cosmetics exhibits his self-belief.

Trent Williams‘ 49ers deal additionally comprises a big, nonguaranteed final-year wage ($32.2MM), although the Chiefs’ Brown supply was believed to incorporate a $40MM-plus final-year base. It’s comprehensible why Brown can be hesitant to commit six years, even at what technically can be a tackle-record worth. The wage cap’s rise mixed with the Chiefs’ 2021 commerce factors to Brown cashing in, however the ex-Raven — who entered the NFL after a woeful 40-yard sprint time on the 2018 Mix — can be playing he won’t be uncovered as a left sort out in Kansas Metropolis.

The Chiefs can tag Brown once more in 2023 at the price of $19.9MM. That’s most likely the place this case heads, positioning the 2023 spring-summer stretch because the time window that can decide if the Chiefs and Brown are a long-term match or a stopgap partnership. Brown has teased the prospect of skipping video games, however after being tied to third-round cash for 4 years, it will be beautiful if he leaves franchise-tag recreation checks on the desk.

Nagy making Mitchell Trubisky competent in 2018 doesn’t obtain sufficient credit score. The previous Chiefs OC’s expertise, even in a job that veered off-course principally due to QB ineffectiveness, will undoubtedly profit the franchise this time round. This shall be Nagy’s first run with QB1 Mahomes; he took the Bears’ HC job after 5 years tutoring Alex Smith. Identical because it ever was for Bieniemy, who was linked to 2 of the ten accessible HC jobs this yr. Continuity like that is uncommon, with OCs paired with celebrity quarterbacks or hooked up to prolific offenses receiving HC probabilities yearly. For 2022, a Reid-Bieniemy-Nagy triumvirate ought to increase the Chiefs. Bieniemy going into Yr 5 on this place nonetheless represents one of many weirder seems to be in latest coordinator historical past.

High 10 cap prices for 2022:

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB: $35.8MM
2. Chris Jones, DT: $29.4MM
3. Orlando Brown Jr., LT: $16.7MM
4. Frank Clark, DE: $13.7MM
5. Travis Kelce, TE: $8.9MM
6. Joe Thuney, G: $8.2MM
7. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR: $4.9MM
8. Justin Reid, S: $4.6MM
9. Mecole Hardman, WR: $4.4MM
10. Harrison Butker, Okay: $4.2MM

Mahomes and Jones’ cap numbers skyrocketed from their 2021 locations ($7.4MM, $8.5MM). Each these figures rank within the high 5 throughout the NFL. That and Brown’s tag quantity now formally on the 2022 books compelled the staff to make changes this yr. However Clark’s pay minimize and Kelce’s attachment to a team-friendly contract helps the Chiefs’ trigger.

How this machine features with out Hill and Mathieu shall be essential intel for the AFC equation. Kansas Metropolis won’t enter the season because the form of favourite it was from 2019-21, and the spooky AFC championship recreation ending may produce a hangover. However the Reid-Mahomes partnership (55-16 in regular-season or playoff video games the celebrity QB begins) and a robust O-line nonetheless makes this one of many NFL’s highest-floor operations — it doesn’t matter what the remainder of the AFC West did this offseason.